NRL transfer news: Liam Martin set to re-sign with Panthers, Dolphins land Oliver Gildart | Market Watch
Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have secured the services of an England international, while Penrith is set to re-sign a premiership hero. See the latest transfer news.
The Dolphins have confirmed the signing of England international Oliver Gildart following his release from the Wests Tigers.
As revealed by News Corp, the Dolphins have continued their recruitment drive with super coach Wayne Bennett convincing the Tigers speedster to challenge himself for an NRL starting spot with Queensland’s new expansion club.
Gildart was contracted to the Tigers for next season but the wooden spooners have released the Englishman from the final year of his contract to embark on a fresh chapter under Bennett at the Dolphins.
Bennett gave Gildart his England debut in 2018 and now the pair will again join forces for the Dolphins’ foundation season in the NRL in 2023.
Granted a release by the Tigers last week, Gildart began negotiations immediately with the Dolphins and has inked a one-year, $100,000 deal to be part of history at the NRL’s 17th franchise.
Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said Gildart was a quality addition to the Dolphins’ squad.
“Oliver has played rugby league at Test level and is a player who is fast, elusive and has great footwork,” said Reader.
“Wayne Bennett coached him on a Great Britain tour so knows him well, and we believe he may only have just scratched the surface of what he can do in the NRL.
“Importantly, his signature adds another strong option to our backline list.”
The 26-year-old has played in four Super League grand finals, winning two premierships with Wigan in a 134-game career for the English glamour club that netted an impressive 59 tries.
Gildart arrived at the Tigers this season and played eight games for the joint-venture club before joining the Roosters on loan for the back end of the 2022 campaign.
After two matches for the Roosters, Gildart was contracted to return to the Tigers next season, but the winger or centre was given permission to join Bennett at the Dolphins.
Gildart has played all four of his internationals under the tutelage of former England coach Bennett, including Great Britain’s clash against Tonga on the historic 2019 Lions tour.
The signing of Gildart leaves the Dolphins with just four vacancies in their 30-man roster ahead of their inaugural pre-season starting next week.
The Dolphins snared speed machine Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from the Cowboys a fortnight ago and Gildart will add depth to a threequarter line featuring Jamayne Isaako, Robert Jennings and former Queensland Origin duo Edrick and Brenko Lee.
ROOS STAR SET TO RE-SIGN WITH PANTHERS
- Dean Ritchie
Kangaroos and Panthers forward Liam Martin has taken himself off the open market – just 24 hours before the NRL’s free agency period starts on November 1.
Martin, in England with Australia’s World cup squad, has a contract at Penrith for 2023 but was permitted to talk with rival clubs about 2024 from Tuesday.
Just hours before November 1 arrived, Martin agreed to a new one-year contract extension at Penrith for 2024.
Multiple clubs had been linked to Martin including Parramatta, St George Illawarra, Cronulla, Wests Tigers and Melbourne.
Several clubs had been circling Martin as November 1 approached but he slipped himself off the off market at the last moment.
Penrith and Martin were locked in a stand-off over money but a settlement was reached this week.
Martin actually rejected an initial offer from Penrith back in August.
“Will wait until the Collective Bargaining Agreement and salary cap is sorted and then discuss a possible further extension,” said Allan Gainey, Martin’s manager.
“The Panthers will also know by then what their situation is with other players who have gone to market.”
With Martin now locked away for another two seasons, Penrith can now focus on re-signing star backs Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton, who both come off contract after next season.
While Martin has agreed to terms, he is yet to formally sign a contract, which is a formality. Once done, Penrith will release a statement revealing his retention.
The Daily Telegraph texted Panthers football CEO Matt Cameron about Martin’s looming signing but he did not respond.
Martin, 25, played in Australia’s World Cup wins over Scotland and Italy but missed selection for the opening game against Fiji.
He has been a wonderful performer in a Panthers side which has contested three successive grand finals, winning two.
With the NRL deadline passing on Tuesday, clubs are ready to start lodging contracts offers with key targets.
There may not be an immediate flurry of signing activity but clubs can now start to heavily focus on off-contract players.
Star players coming off contract after next season include Dylan Brown, Matt Burton, David Fifita, Joseph Suaalii, Jeremiah Nanai and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
There is continuing talk linking Crichton to Canterbury but Penrith is desperate to retain the 2021 grand final try scoring champion.
Speculation states Crichton could be offered the fullback spot at Belmore.
While Cronulla did not lodge a formal offer for Martin, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is an admirer of the Panthers forward.
DEADLINE WATCH: 10 IN-DEMAND STARS YOUR CLUB COULD SIGN
—Michael Carayannis
Manly have landed a significant signing coup before the November 1 open market begins by locking in point scoring wizard Reuben Garrick to a long-term deal.
The Sunday Telegraph has learnt that Garrick has agreed to stay at Manly for the next five seasons with the 25-year-old committing to a four-year extension.
Every club has millions of dollars worth of talent free to sign with rival clubs come Tuesday. The likes of Matt Burton, Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Thomas Flegler, Jack Wighton, Luke Thompson, Siosifa Talakai, David Fifita, David Klemmer, Jeremiah Nanai, Victor Radley, Adam Doueihi, Luke Brooks and Jackson Hastings headline a list of stars who are now free to move on from 2024.
The Eels have offers out to Brown, Moses and rising star Will Penisini but face stiff competition from rival clubs to retain the trio. The Tigers are preparing to make Moses the highest paid player in the competition with a bumper deal to entice him back to the club while the Dolphins want Brown to be the club’s marquee player.
The Tigers remain in discussions with Klemmer about a potential immediate switch.
One player who is officially off the market now is Garrick. Other recent big-name re-signings include Ben Hunt, Cameron Munster and Joe Tapine.
Newcastle were circling Garrick had offered a chance for him to play fullback which would have led to Kalyn Ponga switching to the halves.
However, he rejected their overtures to instead recommit to Manly.
The Sea Eagles are expected to announce the new deal in coming days.
Garrick has only started one of his 91 top grade games at centre but will get first crack at the spot during the pre-season.
Garrick’s re-signing and impending positional switch places uncertainty on the future of centre Morgan Harper who has come on the radar of rival clubs.
10 OF THE BIGGEST OFF-CONTRACT NRL STARS
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Has already attracted interest from rugby union in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and France. If he remains in the NRL expect him to stay with the Storm provided they can get close to his $800,000 price tag. The Storm will wait for him to finish his World Cup commitments before opening negotiations.
Mitchell Moses
Could become the game’s highest paid player if he opts to return to his former club the Tigers. The Tigers are preparing a mega-bid after he met with coach Tim Sheens in England this month. Has been linked with the Bulldogs. The Eels also want to retain him but won’t be able to match the money on offer at rival clubs.
Matt Burton
Has already indicated he won’t take up his $550,000 option in 2024 and who could blame him. Burton is in line for a bumper payday. The Bulldogs have tabled a four-year extension and hope that will be enough to have the Australian and NSW star commit to the club long-term.
Dylan Brown
The Dolphins will be willing to throw in huge coin to get Brown to the club and help build the new side around him. He will most likely join the million-dollar club if he elects to leave the Eels. The Warriors will also be keen but Parramatta hope he will be a decade-long player at the club.
David Fifita
Knows he will drop out of the million-dollar price bracket but is still attracting plenty of interest on the open market. The Raiders are keen to have Fifita and his partner Shaylee Bent join them as part of a NRL and NRLW package. The Titans have also indicated they want to keep Fifita.
Liam Martin
His manager is already on the record declaring the club’s “reluctance” to upgrade Martin is holding up negotiations. The Panthers have tabled a three-year deal. The Dragons and the Eels are among the clubs interested should Martin not be able to get a deal done at Penrith.
Joseph Suaalii
Has a player option for 2024 having taken up a 12 month deal for next season. Is unlikely to be let go by the Roosters provided he is content to learn his craft from the wing. Wants to play fullback but has James Tedesco in front of him. Clubs would be prepared to tip in seven figures to snatch him but rugby union looms as the bigger threat.
Jeremiah Nanai
Should be the most sought after player on the list. Played it smart by inking just a 12-month deal and has since gone on to play for Queensland and Australia. The Cowboys would need to find about $800,000 to keep rival clubs away and should be eyeing a long-term deal this time around.
Stephen Crichton
Will have no shortage of offers after telling the Panthers he would explore the market come Tuesday. Will need to make a decision if he wants to switch positions from centre to fullback and inevitably switch clubs. Will command big money if he opts to move.
Brian To’o
Has indicated his preference is to remain at Penrith and both parties were hopeful of locking in a long-term deal before the trade window happens. The clock is ticking for that to occur so it remains to be seen the game’s best winger will want to move clubs.
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