NRL 2021: Off-contract players, signings and rumours
Looking to add some grunt to their Trbo powered offence Manly have recruited two of the most exciting young backs in rugby league.
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Two shrewd purchases could pave the way for Manly one day having the most imposing wing duo in the NRL.
The Sea Eagles had been linked to Jason Saab for some time and officially announced his signature on Friday but Christian Tuipulotu, who secured a release from the Roosters earlier this week, could end up as one of the best buys for 2021.
The young Kiwi was a star in the juniors and was chased by a host of NRL and Super Rugby clubs during his time at St Paul’s College in New Zealand and even though he landed at Bondi he always stayed on Manly’s radar.
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“In Rotorua there was a million people there to see him, so I kind of just held back and went in another direction but I always kept an eye on him,” said Manly recruitment manager Scott Fulton.
“We have a few players moving on and we needed some young blokes coming in and the Roosters have a lot of outside backs, so it was a good time to jump in and give him an opportunity here.
“He’s very agile for a big fella, and the other thing I like is he’s an aerial threat and he can play centre and wing.”
Jorge Taufua and Reuben Garrick have been Manly’s first-choice wingers in recent years but they have a fight on their hands to retain their spots.
Tuipulotu in particular is a big part of the Sea Eagles plans, as evidenced by the fact he landed a four-year deal with the club.
“Coming out of your own end he’s a big thing with footwork, he can break the first tackle and set up return sets really well,” Fulton said.
“He’s got that initial power and pace to hit the line but if he gets through he can run 100 metres to score, he has that top-end speed to carry things on.
“On the end of a backline that’s throwing it wide he’s going to be hard to stop.”
Tuipulotu could potentially form a powerful one-two punch with Saab as the former Dragons continues to improve.
Saab had been angling for a release from the Red V for some time and shapes as an astute purchase for the Sea Eagles.
“I’ve seen Jason since he was about 12 or 13, because a lot of his mates were with Manly. I don’t know how I missed out on him before, I really don’t, because I’d always seen him play,” Fulton said.
“He’s 200cm, he’s 108 kilos and he’s only going to fill out and get bigger and stronger.
“He can be the same on the other side, an aerial threat who can get through those tough carries.”
BRONCOS FACE FIGHT TO KEEP STAR CENTRE
It‘s the NRL’s real silly season — and it has talent-stacked teams on high alert for rival raids.
As recruitment chiefs continue jostling to finalise their squads for the upcoming NRL season, the battle to sign players coming off contract at the end of 2021 is also in full swing.
Already this week rising playmaker Matt Burton has been prised from the Panthers by new Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett on a three-year deal that starts in 2022.
Newcastle have also locked in their playmaker for the future, snaring North Queensland halfback Jake Clifford on a two-year deal, also kicking off after next season.
That‘s only the start. With a stack of top-tier talent off contract at the end of 2021, headlined by Angus Crichton, Stephen Crichton, Kotoni Staggs, Josh Addo-Carr and Cameron McInnes, clubs like the Bulldogs — who can move up to 16 players on at the end of next season — are ready to pounce.
The Roosters (15), Sharks (14), Titans (14) and Eels (14) are some of the other clubs with big lists of players coming off contract at the end of 2021.
Scroll down to see the complete list of off-contract players at the end of 2021
PATIENT BULLDOGS
While the Bulldogs will remain an active player in the market as they plan for season 2022, don’t expect a wholesale clean-out of the roster — not yet anyway.
Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill said the club would give off-contract players a chance to press their claims for an extension under new coach Trent Barrett and for players coming through the ranks to earn a spot top 30 spot for 2022.
“The impact of no lower-grade football this year has made recruitment and retention discussions more challenging but with the NSWRL competition starting up again, that will form an important part of our ongoing retention and recruitment conversations for the 2022 season,” Hill said.
Barrett has only been at Belmore for just over two weeks and won’t rush into making a decision about the stable of off-contract players until he has more time to examine their credentials.
But the club will initiate extension talks as soon as next month. Josh Addo-Carr met with Bulldogs officials during the week with Melbourne flyer eyeing a move to Belmore in season 2022.
PANTHERS PAIN
After losing Burton and fullback Daine Laurie, the Panthers are working to fend off rivals lining up to lure breakout stars Crichton, Jarome Luai and Spencer Leniu away from the foot of the mountains.
News Corp understands the club has commenced talks with all three players as recently at this week.
Crichton and Luai are top retention priorities for the Panthers. Rising centre Crichton could command upwards of $600,000 a season on the open market with cashed-up clubs like Canterbury lurking.
It’s believed Penrith wants to retain Leniu but three clubs, including the Bulldogs, have shown a genuine interest in the young forward. Leniu is hoping to make a decision on his future within a fortnight.
Elsewhere in the NRL, the Brisbane Broncos have a fight on their hands to keep Kotoni Staggs with the powerhouse centre to attract plenty of interest from his home state of New South Wales. New coach Kevin Walters is determined to keep him in Brisbane.
At the Wests Tigers, David Nofoaluma, who was the club’s best player in season 2021 has indicated a desire to test his value on the open market before committing his future at Concord beyond next year.
Like the Bulldogs, the Roosters also have a long list of players coming off-contract at the end of season 2021 — but their challenge lies in retention rather than recruitment.
The Tricolours are working to retain the likes of Daniel Tupou, Isaac Liu, Sitili Tupouniua and Sam Verrills — all players who are likely to attract attention from rival sides.
SALARY CAP SAGA
A backdrop to the NRL’s player market silly season has been the ongoing negations between the NRL and the RLPA over the salary cap in season 2021.
The base salary cap was set at $9.6 million for season 2021 but that is likely to decrease by between five and 7.5 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re making great progress and we’re hoping to announce very, very shortly in the next couple of weeks, the certainty for our players around what those changes will look like,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“We’ve been in a dialogue with the RLPA and I think we’re on the brink.
“They (the players) understand our revenues have dropped, we’ve been hit by a pandemic which has impacted on revenue significantly – not just for the NRL but for clubs and the players, as you would expect, have been understanding of that.”
Any change to the cap is unlikely to impact contract negotiations with any hit to the cap to be applied retrospectively on contracts. Since the pandemic, the NRL has not allowed contracts to be registered without a retrospective salary cap clause.
BRIMSON BROTHERS HOPE TO TEAM UP AT TITANS
The Titans are eyeing off the next wave of Brimson talent, with the brother of Queensland superstar AJ currently training with the Gold Coast squad.
Former Broncos Under 20s player Will Brimson is on a train-and-trial contract with the Titans in a bid to reignite his NRL dream alongside his younger brother.
The talented outside back linked up with Intrust Super Cup club Tweed Seagulls for the 2020 season, after stepping away from rugby league for two years to refresh himself and focus on getting an apprenticeship.
The tight-knit Brimson brothers bought a house together earlier this year and live with each other on the Gold Coast.
Will has recently re-signed with Tweed for the 2021 season as he looks to continue his rugby league career.
“He was a priority re-signing for us,” Francis said.
“We hope he succeeds and we’re pleased to be a part of his journey.
“He’s just such a quality person and deserves all the success that comes his way.”
Meanwhile, AJ is recovering well from a foot injury he sustained in Origin 1 and is on track to play Round 1 next year.
“AJ is a week post-surgery for the Lisfranc injury and he is tracking along really well,” Titans head of performance Klint Hoare said.
“The surgeon was really confident that they’ve been able to fix that issue, but obviously it is only one week post and he won’t be returning to probably January next year for full training.”
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St George Illawarra will await the outcome of Jack de Belin’s criminal case before deciding on their next move in the player market. The Dragons have about $150,000 to spend now that the Sea Eagles have confirmed Jason Saab’s signing on a three-year deal. The Dragons have been in talks with Billy Magoulias although the Cronulla utility returned to Sharks training this week.
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Mason Lino is the latest NRL heading to the Super League after signing a three-year deal to join Wakefield. The ex-Knights half only played five top grade games this year. At 26, he leaves the NRL having played 34 matches in six seasons following stints at Newcastle and the Warriors.
Wakefield had tried to entice Canberra’s Sam Williams back to the club.
***
Joe Ofahengaue has confirmed his Brisbane exit by updating his Instagram profile as an “ex-Bronco.”
Ofahengaue’s social medial account lists his biography as ex-Brisbane Broncos player No. 212 but he is yet to update the blurb to indicate his new club – the Wests Tigers. He has however followed the Tigers on Instagram and unfollowed the Broncos.
Josh Alolai – who Ofahengaue will replace – has followed the Sea Eagles on Instagram and will officially join the club next week.
The moves opens the door for the Broncos to make a play for former North Queensland Cowboys forward John Asiata. Asiata had drawn interest from the Cronulla Sharks but it’s believed he is close to signing a one-year deal at Red Hill.
LOCKED AND LOADED
KNIGHTS: Former Cowboys playmaker Jake Clifford has signed a two-year deal with Newcastle from season 2022.
RABBITOHS: Rising South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi has re-signed with the club until at least the end of the 2023 season.
EELS: Bryce Cartwright has signed a career-defining deal with Parramatta. The former Penrith and Gold Coast utility will join the Eels on a one-year deal in season 2021.
SEA EAGLES: Jason Saab has joined Manly on a three-year deal from season 2021 after the lanky winger finally received his hard-fought release from St George Illawarra. Manly also confirmed the signing of ex-Roosters winger Christian Tuipulotu on a four-year contract.
ROOSTERS: In another signing coup for the Tricolours, teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii has agreed to join the club from season 2021. The Rabbitohs accepted a transfer fee of $50,000 to release Suaalii from his deal at Redfern.
TIGERS: Boom back-rower Shawn Blore has extended his time at Concord until the end of season 2023. Blore was off-contract at the end of season 2021 but rather than test the market, opted to remain at the Tigers. Rising forward Alex Seyfarth has also signed a one-year extension at the club.
BULLDOGS: Matt Burton has agreed to join Canterbury from season 2022 on a two-year deal with an option in his favour in the third year.
CLASS OF 2021
Free agents off contract at the end of next season
Brisbane Broncos (13)
Jesse Arthars
Xavier Coates
Thomas Dearden
Thomas Flegler
Alex Glenn
Andrew McCullough
Anthony Milford
Fanitesi Niu
Corey Oates PO
Keenan Palasia
Jordan Riki
Kotoni Staggs PO
Jake Turpin PO
Canberra Raiders (11)
Caleb Aekins
Adam Cook CO
Matt Frawley
Emre Guler
Siliva Havili
Dunamis Lui
Harley Smith-Shields
Sia Soliola
Semi Valemei
Sam Williams
Hudson Young
Canterbury Bulldogs (15)
Dean Britt
Christian Crichton
Tyrone Harding
Will Hopoate
Sione Katoa
Tuipulotu Katoa
Lachlan Lewis
Jeremy Marshall-King
Nick Meaney
Dylan Napa
Ofahiki Ogden
Jayden Okunbor
James Roumanos
Chris Smith
Renouf To’omaga
Cronulla Sharks (15)
Josh Dugan
Mawene Hiroti
Shaun Johnson
William Kennedy
Nene Macdonald
Billy Magoulias
Matt Moylan
Kyle Patterson
Toby Rudolf
Siosifa Talakai
Aiden Tolman
Chad Townsend PO
Connor Tracey
Aaron Woods
Bronson Xerri
Gold Coast Titans (15)
Erin Clark
Anthony Don
Herman Ese’ese PO
Darius Farmer
Patrick Herbert
Brian Kelly
Gregory Marzhew
Sam McIntyre
Tyrone Peachey
Jonus Pearson
Kevin Proctor CO
Mitch Rein
Sam Stone
Ashley Taylor
Jai Whitbread
Manly Sea Eagles (12)
Morgan Boyle
Lachlan Croker
Kieran Foran
Tevita Funa
Reuben Garrick
Jack Gosiewski
Haumole Olakau’ata CO
Brad Parker
Toafofoa Sipley
Curtis Sironen
Jorge Taufua
Dylan Walker
Melbourne Storm (12)
Josh Addo-Carr
Dale Finucane
Jahrome Hughes
Nicho Hynes
Ryley Jacks
Cooper Johns
Felise Kaufusi PO
Max King
Brenko Lee
Isaac Lumelume
Aaron Pene
Darryn Schonig
Newcastle Knights (14)
Phoenix Crossland
Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Blake Green
Tex Hoy
Hymel Hunt
Brodie Jones
Josh King
Edrick Lee
Kurt Mann
Mitchell Pearce
Gehamat Shibasaki PO
Starford To’a
Enari Tuala
Connor Watson
New Zealand Warriors (14)
Bunty Afoa
Leeson Ah Mau
Tom Ale
Josh Curran
Jackson Frei
Tohu Harris
Peta Hiku
Karl Lawton
Kodi Nikorima
Sean O’Sullivan
Hayze Perham
Adam Pompey
Jazz Tevaga
Paul Turner
North Queensland Cowboys (13)
Jake Clifford*
Benjamin Condon
Scott Drinkwater
Jake Granville
Wiremu Greig
Ben Hampton
Corey Jensen
Connelly Lemuelu
Francis Molo
Justin O’Neill
Tukimihia Simpkins
Murray Taulagi
Shane Wright
Parramatta Eels (18)
Daniel Alvaro
Nathan Brown
Bryce Cartwright
Haze Dunster
Blake Ferguson
Keegan Hipgrave CO
David Hollis
Samuel Hughes
Michael Jennings PO
Joey Lussick
Ryan Matterson PO
Mitchell Moses PO
Michael Oldfield
Tom Opacic
Jordan Rankin
Maika Sivo
Ray Stone
Will Smith
Penrith Panthers (13)
Matt Burton*
Kurt Capewell
Stephen Crichton
Robert Jennings
Mitch Kenny
Spencer Leniu
Jarome Luai
Josh Mansour
Tyrone May
Brent Naden
Zane Tetevano CO
Dean Whare MO
Isaah Yeo
St George Illawarra Dragons (13)
Eddie Blacker
Billy Brittain
Jack de Belin NF
Matt Dufty
Kaide Ellis
Tyrell Fuimaono
Cameron McInnes
Trent Merrin
Corey Norman
Jordan Pereira
Cody Ramsay
Paul Vaughan PO
Brayden Wiliame
South Sydney Rabbitohs (15)
Corey Allan
Braidon Burns
Joshua Cook
Troy Dargan
Dane Gagai
Brock Gardner
Dean Hawkins
Patrick Mago
Steven Marsters CO
Taane Milne CO
Latrell Mitchell
Mark Nicholls
Adam Reynolds
Jaydn Su’A
Tevita Tatola
Sydney Roosters (16)
Fletcher Baker
Egan Butcher
Angus Crichton
Jake Friend
Drew Hutchison
Isaac Liu
Brett Morris
Josh Morris
Billy Smith
James Tedesco
Daniel Tupou
Christian Tuipulotu
Daniel Tupou
Sitili Tupouniua
Sam Verrills
Sam Walker
Wests Tigers (14)
Josh Aloiai*
Kane Bradley
Michael Chee-Kam
Zachary Cini
Joey Leilua CO
Jacob Liddle
Jock Madden
Thomas Mikaele
Paul Momorivski
Zane Musgrove
David Nofoaluma
Russell Packer
Josh Reynolds
Billy Walters
Legend
PO – Player option
CO – Club option
NF – No-fault stand-down
MO – Mutual option
*Signed to rival club
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