NRL market watch: Cowboys sign Manly’s Karl Lawton, no new deal for hooker Jake Granville

Manly’s Karl Lawton has agreed terms on a two-year deal as the Cowboys look to bolster their hooking stocks, leaving North Queensland club favourite Jake Granville in limbo in Townsville.

Karl Lawton and Jake Granville.

Inspirational hooker Jake Granville’s career at the Cowboys is coming to an end after North Queensland have moved to poach Karl Lawton from title contenders Manly.

Lawton has agreed terms on a two-year deal as the Cowboys look to bolster their hooking stocks, leaving North Queensland’s club favourite Granville in limbo in Townsville.

The 35-year-old Granville has been a magnificent servant for the Cowboys, with the tough-as-nails rake having amassed 202 games for the club and playing a key role in North Queensland’s epic 2015 premiership win.

But with Granville approaching his 36th birthday, the Cowboys are planning for the future and believe Lawton can be a handy back-up hooker for NSW Origin star Reece Robson.

Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck declined to speculate on Granville’s future, but confirmed the signing of Lawton, who hopes to leave the Sea Eagles at season’s end with a premiership ring.

Jake Granville’s career at the Cowboys is all but over. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“We’re pleased to have Karl coming to us next year,” Luck said.

“We’ve already got Reece Robson who we think is a top-end hooker in the NRL and we have some good young kids coming through.

“Karl will fill that support role for Reece and also be a good mentor for our young players who will be NRL-ready in the coming years.

“We like Karl’s competitiveness.

“He does everything defensively that Todd (Payten, Cowboys coach) likes in a player so we’re looking forward to having him.”

The 28-year-old utility is one of the code’s most versatile players and is expected to slot into the Mr Fixit role the ultra-reliable Granville has handled with aplomb at the Cowboys.

A Murwillumbah junior, Lawton made his NRL debut at the Titans in 2016, playing 12 games for the club before moving to the Warriors, where he chalked up an additional 33 matches between 2018-20.

Lawton joined Manly in 2021 and plays his 87th NRL game this Saturday against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.

Granville is one of 11 Cowboys off-contract at season’s end and has yet to make a definitive call on retirement.

Manly Sea Eagles' Karl Lawton. Picture: NRL Photos

The former Broncos livewire has compiled 212 games since his NRL debut in 2013, but it’s understood the Cowboys will not offer Granville a new deal, opening the door for Lawton’s acquisition.

“We’ve been in the market for a hooker with a bit of experience and Karl brings that, plus a skill set,” Luck said.

“He is coming off-contract at Manly and he wanted to come, we wanted him here, so it was a pretty easy deal to get done.

“He will be a valuable member of our squad.”

The Cowboys have a number of other top-liners set to become free agents from November 1, including halfback Chad Townsend, Kyle Feldt, Jordan McLean and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who is being chased by the Dolphins.

Originally published as NRL market watch: Cowboys sign Manly’s Karl Lawton, no new deal for hooker Jake Granville