Teenage footy freak has ‘staggering’ contract demands met

Souths baulked in the face of teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii’s incredible request, but the Roosters have swooped in and said yes.

Joseph Suaalii is looking like he’ll leave Souths.

The Roosters are reportedly poised to snatch young gun Joseph Suaalii from South Sydney’s grasp, using Sonny Bill Williams in a pitch to bring him to Bondi and allegedly agreeing to get-out clauses in the 17-year-old’s contract.

Described by some judges as a once-in-a-generation talent, Suaalii has been the subject of an ugly, public game of tug-of-war between rugby league and union. He plays the 15-man code for the Kings School in Sydney and has been part of the Rabbitohs’ junior system for some time.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

The Bunnies were hoping to sign Suaalii this year, with the aim of unleashing him in first grade once he turned 18 in 2021. But talks between the two parties have deteriorated and it’s looking unlikely Suaalii will end up in the cardinal and myrtle.

One of the sticking points was Suaalii’s wish to sign a long-term deal with Souths that included get-out clauses at the end of every season, should he wish to pursue other options. Understandably Souths baulked at that request, described by Nine reporter Danny Weidler in September as “remarkable”.

RELATED: Australia reacts to NRL’s ‘cowardly’ anthem backflip

RELATED: Cruel cost of NRL star’s ‘ridiculous’ feat

Joseph Suaalii is the hot

However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports the Roosters are prepared to include those get-out clauses in Suaalii’s contract because they are confident once he settles into the club — where he will be groomed as the long-term fullback replacement for James Tedesco — he won’t want to leave.

Williams, who has won World Cups with the All Blacks and NRL premierships with the Bulldogs and Roosters, knows all about the demands of being a dual-code superstar and reportedly met with Suaalii — along with Roosters officials and coach Trent Robinson — to sell the tri-colours to him as the best place to start his professional career.

Suaalii is still on a development contract with Souths for next year, so if a move to the Roosters eventuated, it would be for the 2022 season unless the Rabbits granted him an early release — something they are not keen on doing, especially if it benefits their arch-rivals.