Market Watch: Ten hookers Titans must consider for 2021

The Titans will continue to look to strengthen their roster and there may be some simple ways to do it. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THEIR OPTIONS

Connor Watson 2020 NRL Round 01 - Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors, McDonald Jones Stadium, 2020-03-14. Digital image by Shane Myers � NRL Photos

The Parramatta Eels’ contract extension of prospective Queensland hooker Reed Mahoney is a shot across the bow warning the Titans their chance to secure a bona fide No.9 for 2021 is fleeting.

The Titans lack of direction from hooker was a key factor in Friday’s 42-6 capitulation to the Melbourne Storm.

The match was Erin Clark’s fifth as an NRL starter and eighth in total, while 19-year-old back-up Tanah Boyd has played just 275 minutes as a hooker since transitioning from halfback.

The position has become one of the Titans most pressing needs if they are to push for a Finals spot in 2021.

Parramatta’s Mahoney signed a two-year contract extension this week worth approximately $400,000 per season, setting a bargain-bin price for a 22-year-old already among the game’s best in an increasingly critical position.

Reed Mahoney of the Eels passes during the round eight NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the North Queensland Cowboys. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Only Cameron Smith, Api Koroisau, Damien Cook, Harry Grant and Murwillumbah junior Reece Robson can claim stronger form than the Parramatta rake but none of them will line up for the Titans next year.

There are 13 NRL hookers off-contract this year including four starters for their teams.

They are Connor Watson of the Newcastle Knights, Jake Friend of the Sydney Roosters, Jake Turpin from the Brisbane Broncos and Danny Levi of the Manly Sea Eagles.

Watson, 24, is the brightest star of that group.

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According to agent Clinton Schifcofske “a couple of clubs” are circling the former Sydney Rooster, who signed with the Knights on a $500,000 per season deal three years ago.

Watson wishes to stay in Newcastle but the Knights’ salary cap position could force the rising New South Welshman out of the Steel City and into the Titans arms.

An x-factor hooker of Watson’s class could help forwards Moeaki Fotuaika, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and new recruit Herman Ese’ese, another Knights-to-Titans transfer, rise to new heights in 2021 under the six-again rule.

Connor Watson of the Knights. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The 258-game experience of 30-year-old Queenslander Jake Friend wouldn’t go astray in the Titans pack either.

Among the up-and-comers available, the Titans could do worse than target either of Josh Hodgson’s Raiders deputies after Siliva Havili and youngster Tom Starling inspired Canberra to a shock upset of the Roosters on Thursday night.

Neither have secured an NRL home for 2021.

In other signing news, Cowboys lock and Titans target John Asiata has postponed negotiations until he recovers from a knee injury sustained in Round Four.

He is expected to return in Round 11.

Ten off-contract NRL hooker options Titans must pounce on

1. Connor Watson, Newcastle Knights, 24-years-old

2. Jake Friend, Sydney Roosters, 30

3. Jake Turpin, Brisbane Broncos, 23

4. Danny Levi, Manly Sea Eagles, 24

5. Andrew McCullough, Newcastle Knights, 30

6. Tom Starling, Canberra Raiders, 22

7. Siliva Havili, Canberra Raiders, 27

8. Sione Katoa, Canterbury Bulldogs, 25

9. Reuben Cotter, North Queensland Cowboys, 21

10. Issac Luke, Brisbane Broncos, 33