Wests Tigers extend Api Koroisau, eye Javon Andrews, Alex Johnston re-signs with Rabbitohs
After locking down club co-captain Api Koroisau on a two-year extension, the Wests Tigers have turned their attention to one of the most promising players in Queensland. See the latest transfer news.
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Wests Tigers have turned their attention to one of the most promising players in Queensland after tying down captain Api Koroisau to a two-year contract extension.
Koroisau was off contract at the end of next season but will now stay with Tigers until the end of 2028, keeping out the clutches of expansion teams Perth and Papua New Guinea.
His retention is a significant vote of confidence for chief executive Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall, who consider Koroisau an important piece of the club’s rebuild.
The Tigers made the three-time premiership winner a priority after releasing rising star Tallyn Da Silva to the Eels and with Koroisau now committed to the club, this masthead understands that they have now set their sights on Queensland under-19 five-eighth Javon Andrews.
Andrews, on the books at the Gold Coast Titans, starred for the Maroons in their State of Origin win earlier this year after overcoming a serious spinal injury that threatened his future early in his career.
The Tigers have now emerged as a potential home as they look to strengthen their own spine in the wake of Koroisau’s retention and the possible departure of Adam Doueihi, who has a one year offer on the table from the club but is exploring his options elsewhere.
Koroisau’s signature was the priority as the club looked to retain a player who is almost as important for his leadership as he is for his ability. The 32-year-old said he was happy to recommit to the team.
“This club has become family to me,” Koroisau said.
“I’ve felt nothing but support from the players, staff, and especially Benji – he’s someone I really admire and enjoy playing under.
“I’m stoked to re-sign and can’t wait to help lead this team for a few more years.”
Marshall described Koroisau as the “heart and soul” of the team.
“His leadership, experience and energy are invaluable,” Marshall said.
“Having him commit to our future is massive for the direction we are heading in.”
The Tigers have been locked in talks with Doueihi over an extension and have tabled a deal believed to be worth around $350,000 a season.
However, it is understood he also has interest from other NRL clubs and is likely to explore them before he commits to the Tigers. The Tigers are also cognisant of the need to keep money aside for next season as they look to re-sign centre Taylan May for next season.
May made a stunning return to the NRL at the weekend, scoring three tries in his first appearance in the top grade for the Tigers. The Tigers will take it slow with May as he continues his recovery from the off-field issues that threatened his career but the early signs are promising and club officials want to make sure they have the space in the salary cap to accommodate May should he maintain his form.
May could soon be joined in first grade but teenager Heamasi Makasini, who turns 18 next week and will immediately come into contention for an a place in first grade.
Makasini, still at high school, has spent the past few weeks in the NSW Cup and handled the step-up with ease. There seems little doubt he will play at some point in coming weeks as the Tigers unveil one of the most exciting talents in the club’s recent history.
TURBO BOOST FOR MANLY
Manly’s resurgent season looks set to receive a turbo boost with the finals on the horizon as the club closes in on new deals for Tom Trbojevic and his brother Jake.
This masthead can reveal that Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov has planned a meeting with Trbojevics’ agent Paul Sutton later this week as he looks to finalise contracts extensions for the pair, who are off contract at the end of next season.
Manly are looking to secure Jake Trbojevic until at least the end of 2027 while Tom Trbojevic’s new deal would be until at least the end of 2028.
The Trbojevic boys are part of the furniture at Manly and have been central figures in the club’s resurgence over the past three weeks, helping revive their premiership hopes.
It is understood the parties are close to alignment on the parameters of the new deals and the hope is that they can agree on an extension in coming weeks, removing a potential distraction as they eye off a finals run.
Manly have put themselves back in the top eight picture after a sequence of three successive wins, topped off by a pulsating victory in Melbourne last weekend.
That win moved the Sea Eagles into seventh spot, opening up a two-point buffer over the ninth-placed Dolphins. The Trbojevic boys have been central figures in the club’s recent form and Mestrov is optimistic they are close to extending the pair.
“We’re not far away,” Mestrov said.
“We have been in discussions for a little while and it’s about getting it right. We’ll look to close it out over the next two to three weeks.”
Tom and Jake Trbojevic have been the heart-and-soul at Manly for more than of a decade and the Sea Eagles officials wants them to finish their careers at the club, alongside their younger brother Ben.
Talks with the pair kicked off nearly two months ago but stalled as the club struggled and the pair wrestled with their own form.
However, discussions have heated up in recent weeks as Manly have returned to their winning ways with Jake and Tom Trbojevic at the centre of their form reversal.
Jake Trbojevic showed how much winning meant to him when he celebrated the win over the Storm by excitedly kicking over a bunch of plastic bottles that were on the dressing room floor.
Tom Trbojevic, meanwhile, is starting to look like his former self since being moved to the centres.
SOUTHS STAR SET FOR ‘RECORD BREAKING’ DEAL
South Sydney have announced the re-signing of winger Alex Johnston as he closes in on the NRL try scoring record.
Johnston has extended his contract for a further two seasons, taking him to the end of 2027.
The winger, 30, has 207 tries since making his debut in 2014, and trails only the legendary Ken Irvine (212) on the all-time list.
“Alex is the greatest try scorer our club has seen and is on track to become the greatest try scorer in the sport’s history in this country,” Souths head of football, Mark Ellison said.
“He is a smart footballer that knows how to finish off a try scoring movement and how to use his body to put himself in the best position to get over the line.
“He is a South Sydney junior from the La Perouse Panthers club, he is an inspiration to so many young footballers from our district, across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community as well as the people of Papua New Guinea.
“He is a doting dad to Sonny and Avery with the support of his partner Taryn, and we’re delighted that they will all be remaining as Rabbitohs for the next two seasons.”
Johnston was off contract at season’s end but never seriously contemplated leaving the Rabbitohs.
“I couldn’t be happier to be staying at the club for another two years,” Johnston said.
“I’ve enjoyed premiership success here before and I’m really focused on doing that again here for South Sydney.
“I also want to break the try scoring record at the Rabbitohs and achievements like that come from the efforts and performances of my teammates as much as me. We’re all in this together.
“I also would like to thank the Members for their support. There are no more loyal supporters in the game and I love representing them each week as well. I thank them for sticking by us and encouraging us throughout some
difficult times on field.
“I’m looking forward to working hard to turn around the back end of our season this year and then having a crack at premierships over the next two years as well.”
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