Souths’ bitter rival ‘lurking’ as four-club race set to ignite in $900k shootout

Rabbitohs gun Keaon Koloamatangi is in hot demand with a shock suitor emerges for his signature come November 1.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Keaon Koloamatangi of the Rabbitohs runs with the ball during the round 23 NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Rabbitohs gun Keaon Koloamatangi will hit the open market come November 1 and one surprise suitor has been revealed.

The 25-year-old’s contract with the South Sydney club expires at the end of 2024, meaning rivals are sharpening their pencils should he be free to negotiate.

Koloamatangi is yet to commit to the Rabbitohs and the Dragons and Raiders have previously expressed their interest in his services.

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Now, according to Channel 9’s Danny Weidler, South Sydney’s arch rivals are watching the situation closely.

“We all know the Keaon has had an interest from the Raiders and they’re supposed to be interested in around the $900,000 mark because he’s going to be available in November and that’s big money,” he said on WWOS.

“But in the background... the Roosters are lurking, they’re looking carefully at him and you’d think the Roosters have enough in their team, their back row but there’s a bit of talk that (they’ll have a crack).

“Sitili Tupouniua’s got another year so he could be someone who may not be there long term, although the Roosters do love him.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio previously said incoming Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will make a “big play” for Koloamatangi.

Keaon Koloamatangi is in high demand. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

GOULD’S DUAL RECRUITMENT

The Bulldogs have reportedly landed a double coup with both Kurt Mann and Drew Hutchison agreeing to join the struggling club.

Stephen Crichton, Blake Taaffe, Jaeman Salmon and Bronson Xerri have already signed for next season, but supremo Phil Gould’s recruitment drive is set to continue.

The SMH are reporting both Hutchison and Mann have put pen to paper on multi-year contracts, leaving the Roosters and Knights respectively.

Hutchison, 28, is a halfback by trade but has been deployed as a centre, hooker and middle forward this season under Trent Robinson.

The experienced coach even went as far as labelling him “our new Mitchell Aubusson”, referencing the Tricolours’ legends utility value.

Kurt Mann is off to the Dogs. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Mann’s Knights finals dream came to a halt after a 40-10 flogging at the hands of the Warriors.

The Bulldogs are now expected to announce the dual signing coup, with both player’s teams out of the finals.

Gould and the Bulldogs have taken an aggressive approach when it comes to recruitment, hoping to turn their fortunes around after a turbulent season.

Rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo has been in the spotlight in recent weeks following a training incident which saw a player take mental health leave.

Gould has now recruited four players — Taaffe, Salmon, Hutchison and Mann — who can fill a variety of positions in the forwards and backline.

Canterbury-Bankstown are also set to sign former Rooster Sio Siua Taukeiaho after a stint in the Super League.

Originally published as Souths’ bitter rival ‘lurking’ as four-club race set to ignite in $900k shootout