Off-contract props set to spark transfer circus as NRL clubs targets stall decisions
THE Daily Telegraph can reveal 11 top-level props are coming off contract after this season and clubs are negotiating to snag their man. And every decision depends on the decision at another club.
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IT is the great $20m front-row scramble — and it’s delaying the long-term recruitment plans of eight NRL clubs.
Last season, NRL clubs were locked in a halfback frenzy — this year it is front-row hysteria.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal 11 top-level props are coming off contract after this season and clubs are talking, scheming and negotiating to snag their man.
And every decision depends on the decision at another club.
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With deals spanning two to four years, the total contract value for the front-row free agents would be worth between $15m to $20m.
One NRL coach said: “We can’t do anything until the prop we want makes a decision. Our decision will then impact on another prop.
“Once one front-rower decides, it could flow on quickly from there and there’ll be a string of recruitment news.”
Leading NRL player agent Allan Gainey added: “It’s is a front-row jigsaw — it’s merry-go-around in regards to where they are all going to fit in.”
Of the players off contract at season’s end, The Daily Telegraph can reveal:
•Canberra’s Kangaroos prop Shannon Boyd is being chased by Newcastle and Gold Coast, with one offer worth $650,000 a season. However the Raiders say they won’t be pushed into making an inflated offer;
•Jarrod Wallace has an option in his favour to stay at the Gold Coast next year, and a four-year offer on the table, but is considering interest from Brisbane. If he leaves the Titans will target Boyd;
•Dragons have tabled an offer for enforcer Leeson Ah Mau and will meet with him this week to try and ward off interest from Newcastle and the New Zealand Warriors;
•Melbourne have offered a new deal to Maroons prop Tim Glasby, who has attracted interest from Canberra and Newcastle, as well as the Dragons if Au Mau leaves, although Penrith’s interest has waned. A decision is expected by the end of this week;
•Josh Papalii is close to re-signing with Canberra on a three-year deal but reports emerged on Wednesday of an unknown club offering a four-year deal worth $3.2m. Souths are denying an interest;
•Newcastle are unlikely to re-sign Queensland front-rower Jacob Lillyman;
•Penrith have expressed interest in Brisbane’s Matt Lodge but he may resist a return to Sydney;
•Prop Korbin Sims is yet to receive an offer from the Broncos, who have made re-signing Lodge their priority despite interest in Sims from Manly. Sims, who hopes to have his future settled within the next week;
•Canterbury are shopping around Aiden Tolman, who has previously been linked to Cronulla and the Gold Coast;
•Parramatta are expected to announce the signing of Junior Paulo on a four-year deal worth nearly $3m; and
•Canberra prop Sia Soliola is unsigned but highly respected at the club.
Giant front-rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been linked to Parramatta when his deal concludes after next season. Melbourne however are currently negotiating to re-sign him now.
•Manly’s Marty Taupau has a heavily back-ended deal but remains under contact at Brookvale for next season.
Other props coming off contract after this year include Parramatta’s Suaia Matagi, South Sydney’s Mark Nicholls, St George Illawarra’s Jeremy Latimore and the Warriors’ Sam Lisone.
“The prices are going up because clubs want marquee props,” said one recruitment manager.
“There will be lots of swirling around to come. Probably the middle-tier props have become more attractive though.”
There is also a shortage of wingers and centres on the open market.
Ten clubs each have a spot left in their top-30 NRL rosters for this year and have until June 30 to find that extra player.
TOP OF THE PROPS: OFF-CONTRACT 2018
Leeson Ah Mau (Dragons)
Suitors: Newcastle, New Zealand
Shannon Boyd (Canberra)
Suitors: Newcastle, Gold Coast
Tim Glasby (Melbourne)
Suitors: Canberra, Newcastle, St George Illawarra
Jacob Lillyman (Newcastle)
Suitors: Unknown
Matt Lodge (Brisbane)
Suitors: Penrith
Josh Papalii (Canberra)
Suitors: Unknown
Junior Paulo (Canberra)
Suitors: Parramatta
Korbin Sims (Brisbane)
Suitors: Manly
Sia Soliola (Canberra)
Suitors: Unknown
Aiden Tolman (Canterbury)
Suitors: Cronulla, Gold Coast.
Jarrod Wallace (Gold Coast)
Suitors: Brisbane
OFF CONTRACT 2019
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne)
Suitors: Parramatta
Marty Taupau (Manly)
Suitors: Unknown