NRL grand finalists’ race to sign $8 million in talent
Two clubs, one game — and just 24 days to secure $8 million worth of rugby league talent before their NRL rivals try to pick the game’s best teams apart.
Roosters
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This will be the great grand final frenzy.
The Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders will have just 24 days after Sunday’s grand final to lock down $8 million worth of talent before rival clubs come knocking with massive offers.
Roosters champions Latrell Mitchell, Joey Manu, Nat Butcher, Mitch Aubusson, Jake Friend, Brett Morris, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are off contract after next season.
The Raiders’ Nick Cotric, Jarrod Croker, Joe Leilua, Aidan Sezer, Iosia Soliola and Jack Wighton are in the same boat.
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Which means NRL clubs can officially lodge offers with any one of them from November 1 in what promises to be a free-for-all.
The Roosters and Raiders will struggle to deal with salary cap pressure but they do have one important thing in their favour — not many of the players will want to leave such successful clubs.
“This is home for me,” Waerea-Hargreaves said. “I’ve been here for a while and everyone knows how much this club means to me and my family. I’m a Rooster, mate.”
Manu feels the same way.
“I’m pretty keen to stay here,” Manu said. “I’ve been here since I was 17, I love the club. I’m happy here but I’m focusing on footy at the moment.
“It will be something I will have to look at after the season but hopefully I can stay around here.
“The club is a big part of me and my family. It’s a good area and my family love coming over from New Zealand and enjoying the eastern suburbs.
“I’m not too sure (if there is interest). I haven’t really thought about that. I’ve just been worried about each game and the finals.”
Taukeiaho has developed into one of the game’s premiers props in Bondi.
“I love it here, the Roosters are my home,” he said. “I don’t really see myself anywhere else.
“Trent Robinson (coach) and the Roosters have given me a lifeline to continue my career.
“They brought me here and developed me as a person and player. I love the players, the culture. It would be good to stay here for a couple more years.”
Asked if he was negotiating with the club, Taukeiaho said: “At the moment, nup. It’s not something I want to be focusing on.
“I want to finish off the season with another premiership ring. That’s my main focus. Probably after that, I will start negotiating.”
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Mitchell and Morris also want to stay with the Roosters.
“The sky is the limit,” Mitchell said. “But I just want to worry about the grand final and not focus on contracts.
“When I start focusing on contracts, I go out of form. I don’t want to worry about that stuff.
“It’s something for other people to talk about. Not me. I just want to play footy, enjoy the break and then November will come around.”
Morris added: “I’m very happy here at the Roosters. I came here and it’s been everything I thought it would be.
“I’ve got another year here and am super excited about that. But I’ve just got to get through this week first. That’s the main thing.”
Originally published as NRL grand finalists’ race to sign $8 million in talent