NRL stars who still haven’t signed with a club for season 2019
FORMER NRL hooker of the year James Segeyaro is just one big-name player without a club for 2019. With the help of MATTHEW JOHNS, we run the rule over some of the NRL’s biggest stars still searching for a contract.
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CRONULLA’S off-contract James Segeyaro currently has no club for season 2019 but NRL sides should be lining up for his services.
The nifty hooker would be an ‘invaluable asset’ to any playing roster according to Fox League’s Matty Johns.
The Sharks have opted to focus their attention on locking down brothers Jayden and Blayke Brailey as their long term no. 9 options, leaving Segeyaro’s immediate playing future in limbo.
“He’s got speed out of dummy-half, he brings a lot of energy. He brings personality to a team. I like that. Sometimes big personalities can rub coaches the wrong way but teams need those types,” Johns said.
TRANSFER CENTRE: Ins and outs for every NRL club >>
“I can’t see he him being clubless for too long.”
Brisbane behemoth Tevita Pangai Junior remains unsigned for next year but there are several clubs in hot pursuit of the boom forward’s signature.
It’s believed South Sydney, Canberra and Newcastle have all tried to lure him away from the Broncos.
Johns says it’s easy to see why clubs would open their cheque books to land the prized recruit.
“Half way through the season people were saying he’s the best young player in the game but you can take that a bit further because he’s now developed into one of the best players in the game, full stop,” he said.
“For him it’s take your pick. Every club in the competition would be keen to acquire a guy like Tevita.”
The tug of war between Parramatta and Jarryd Hayne has taken an intriguing turn with St Goerge Illwarra entering the frame. It’s believed the Dragons are looking to Hayne to help bolster their backline. Johns says every coach in the NRL should be take a close look at Hayne for season 2019.
“Jarryd sold himself very well at the back end of the year, he played some really good football. If that’s what Jarryd is going to dish up week in week out there would be a lot of takers,” he said.
“If I was a coach and what he did at the end of the marked his intent then you’d want him in your team.”
Rabbitohs warhorse John Sutton is yet to extend his time at Redfern but the veteran forward produced one of his best efforts in 2018 and Johns says he has the legs to go around for his 16th season in the NRL.
“He was so good this year, it was one of his best seasons yet. You can see when he played there was intent in what he did and his effort was always good.
“With Sutton you can have him playmaking in the middle or you can put him on an edge.”
Blockbusting centre Konrad Hurrell, who was off contract at the end of 2019, has been released by the Gold Coast Titans from his final year to link up with English Super League side Leeds Rhinos.
TRANSFER CENTRE: Ins and outs for every NRL club >>
NRL PLAYERS WITHOUT A 2019 CONTRACT
List supplied by Zero Tackle
BRONCOS
Troy Dargan, Salesi Funaki, Matthew Lodge, Patrick Mago, Shaun Nona, Corey Oates, Mosese Pangai, Tevita Pangai Junior, Sam Tagataese, Jake Turpin
RAIDERS
Makahesi Makatoa
BULLDOGS
Lachlan Burr, Tom Carr, Mason Cerruto, Josh Cleeland, Zac Woolford
SHARKS
Paul Gallen, James Segeyaro
TITANS
Max King, Mitch Rein, Tyronne Roberts-Davis, Jai Whitbread
SEA EAGLES
Lachlan Croker, Brian Kelly, Apisai Koroisau, Curtis Sironen, Moses Suli
STORM
Sandor Earl, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Sale Finau, Harry Grant, Cooper Johns, Tui Kamikamica, Junior Ratuvu, Cameron Smith, Shem Tatupu, Billy Walters
WARRIORS
James Bell, Matiu Love-Henry, Junior Pauga, Patrick Sipley
KNIGHTS
Tyrone Amey, Jamie Buhrer, Cory Denniss, JJ Felise, Christian Hazard, Zac Hosking, Tom Hughes, Jack Johns, Brent Naden, Ken Sio, Tom Starling, Luke Yates
COWBOYS
Marcus Jensen
EELS
Dane Aukafolau, Nathan Davis, David Gower, Jarryd Hayne, George Jennings, Jack Morris, Marata Niukore, Kaysa Pritchard, Ray Stone, Peni Terepo, Siosaia Vave
PANTHERS
Chad O’Donnell, Joey Peato
RABBITOHS
Billy Brittain, Tyrell Fuimaono, Hymel Hunt, Robert Jennings, Richard Kennar, Vincent Leuluai, Jesse Martin, John Sutton
DRAGONS
Mitchell Allgood
ROOSTERS
Brock Gray, Lachlan Lam, Reece Robinson
WESTS TIGERS
Heath Gibbs
Originally published as NRL stars who still haven’t signed with a club for season 2019
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