Transfer Market: Latest NRL contract and signing news
Just as a move to Canberra appeared likely, Matt Dufty’s NRL future hangs in the balance. Here’s why the Raiders have cooled their interest.
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Matt Dufty’s hopes of securing his future at Canberra hinge on a dodgy shoulder.
The under fire St George Illawarra fullback is struggling to be fit to take on the Raiders on Saturday because of an AC shoulder injury he has been carrying since Magic Round.
Dufty missed the Dragons session on Wednesday and will need to take part in Friday’s captain’s run if he is to be any chance of playing in a match that could well determine his hopes of winning a new NRL deal next season.
After touring the Raiders’ Canberra headquarters last week, it is understood talks have now been put on hold in the wake of Dufty’s disappointing performance in last Monday’s shock 28-6 defeat to last placed Canterbury.
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There is no nice way of saying this but the Raiders are understandably concerned about Dufty’s much talked about defensive deficiencies and they want to see how he backs up before moving negotiations any further.
That is not to say the Raiders’ have pulled out at this point but they have told Dufty’s agent Clinton Schifcofske that they will make a decision one way or another following this weekend’s match.
This comes on the back of the Dragons informing the 25-year-old recently that he would not be offered a new deal going forward.
Dufty was the talk of the NRL following his electric performance in the previous win over Brisbane where he scored two tries and played a leading role in five more.
But in the space of a week he went from a man in demand to a player whose future remains on very unstable ground with the Broncos definitely out of the race to sign him.
If Dufty doesn’t play this round Cody Ramsey will shift to fullback and Jordan Pereira is likely to get the call up from NSW Cup.
Dufty has been battling the shoulder problem since initially injuring it in the round 10 loss to Melbourne.
He then missed back-to-back games against Cronulla and Wests Tigers but was brilliant in his return against the Broncos.
There is no question that with the ball in his hands Dufty ranks up with the most dangerous players in the game but his suspect defence has really put a huge question mark over him.
It’s hard to imagine he won’t get an offer of some but he might not get the money he was potentially worth after his phenomenal performance against the Broncos.
The Raiders were also super impressed with Bailey Simonsson’s outstanding performance in the win over the Broncos and no doubt he will be out to push his claims further if he gets the chance to go head-to-head with Dufty.
Meanwhile, Zac Lomax is rated a 50/50 chance to be passed fit to return from a thumb injury in Saturday’s game.
It is understood the club is leaning towards resting Lomax for this game which would give him two more weeks to recover given next week’s bye round for State of Origin II.
He was named on an extended bench.
LOYAL ROBERTS WAITING FOR TIGERS NEXT MOVE
Fatima Kdouh
James Roberts has a message for Wests Tigers officials — he wants to finish his NRL career at the club.
Roberts signed a two-year deal last November but next season the Tigers have an option in their favour, which they are yet to activate.
However, after a tumultuous career dotted with off-field incidents, Roberts credited the Tigers for helping to return the joy in playing.
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“I’d love to finish off here,” Roberts said. “I love the club and it’s been really good here. There is a really good group of lads here and I’ve become close to a lot of them.
“I’m just enjoying my time here. I’m not really thinking about the future at all. So I’ve just been showing up to training, having fun and enjoying myself.”
Last November, South Sydney released Roberts from the final year of his deal on compassionate grounds. At the time, it was feared the former NSW Blues back had played his last NRL game.
But the Tigers and Michael Maguire, who coached Roberts at the Rabbitohs in 2012, handed the 28-year-old an NRL lifeline to become the fifth club to take him on since his debut in 2011. Roberts was cut from Souths for repeated off-field indiscretions in 2012, Maguire’s first year at Redfern.
“He was a lot tougher when I was younger coming through,” Roberts said of Maguire. “I sort of needed a lot more guidance as a younger bloke. I think as I’m getting older now, I sort of don’t need as much help. I know what I’ve got to do now.
“He’s pretty sweet now. He’s been really good. He’s just passionate about his job and that’s why I love him. He loves his job, he loves coming to work every day and he’s a workaholic.
“He wants to do good for the club and you can you can see the way he’s making changes around here. It’s slowly working. What he’s doing here is going to be good for the future.”
Maguire’s decision to shift playmaker Adam Doueihi, who is out of Saturday’s clash against Melbourne with concussion, to the centres has only added more competition for spots on the edges.
Since Doueihi’s shift, Roberts has been playing on the wing. But with the mid-season signing of winger Ken Maumalo from the Warriors, Roberts will be back in his favoured position this weekend. The Tigers have also signed English Super League outside back Oliver Gildart from next season.
Should the Roosters go after Smith?
The forced retirements of Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Brett Morris frees up around $1.3 million in the salary cap from next year.
So where will the Roosters spend the money?
Cordner still had two years left on his deal of about $750,000 a season.
Morris was believed to be earning around $300,000 a year.
But the trio also leave a 721-game experience vacuum in Robinson’s squad.
While a left-field option, the addition of feisty Melbourne hooker Brandon Smith not only injects a key attacking player into Robinson’s spine but adds starch to the forward pack thanks to his versatility.
It’s understood Canterbury are actively pursuing Smith for 2023.
The Storm are open to releasing Smith before the end of next season but it won’t come easy. Melbourne are asking any potential suitors for a representative player of similar value to let Smith go next season.
Promising rake Sam Verrills is earmarked as a long-term replacement for Friend, but an ACL rupture and then a serious eye injury has limited the dummy-half to seven match since the start of last season.
Robinson has other options at No. 9 including Adam Keighran, reserve grader Ben Marschke and youngster Freddy Lussick.
The premiership winning coach has considerable depth in the second row to cover for Cordner without having to go to the market.
Sitili Tupouniua and Angus Crichton, who is expected to be recalled into Brad Fittler’s NSW side for game two, have locked down the starting edge spots. With Tupouniua signed until the end of season 2024, Crichton is likely to be biggest beneficiary from the money freed up following Cordner’s retirement.
Nat and Egan Butcher plus rookie second rower Fletcher Baker are also seeking extensions to remain at the club.
Crichton recently inked a one-year extension to stay at Bondi until the end of season 2022 and will go on the market again on November 1.
Crichton won’t be the only Roosters star to hit the market in five months time with boom rookie Joseph Suaalii, explosive centre Joseph Manu, forwards Siosiua Taukeiaho and Lindsay Collins, playmaker Lachlan Lam all free to talk to other clubs.
The added space in the Roosters cap could also benefit stalwart winger Daniel Tupou, who along with Josh Morris are Matt Ikuvalu, still have no deal to stay at Bondi beyond this season.
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Australia needs to be careful as it manages an ageing champion team – and a potentially disinterested fan base. If this is the future, we can see why they’re clinging desperately to the present.