NRL 2023: Wests Tigers set to meet with Justin Holbrook, zero in on Brodie Croft as Luke Brooks replacement

The Wests Tigers are pushing ahead with plans to meet axed Titans coach Justin Holbrook, fuelling speculation that Tim Sheens could be moved on at the end of the season.

SALFORD, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Brodie Croft of Salford during the Betfred Super League between Salford Red Devils and Castleford Tigers at AJ Bell Stadium on April 13, 2023 in Salford, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Wests Tigers are planning to become at least the third club to meet axed Titans coach Justin Holbrook despite Tigers current mentor Tim Sheens insisting he had no knowledge of scheduled discussions between his club and Holbrook.

Tigers boss Justin Pascoe had planned to meet with Holbrook this week while he was in Sydney but the club’s NRLW season launch ran over schedule, forcing the meeting to be postponed.

Sources close to the Tigers confirmed a meeting was scheduled to take place but insist it was more a fact finding mission so Pascoe could get to know Holbrook in case an opportunity opened up in the future.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe was set to meet with former Titans coach Justin Holbrook, before the meeting had to be rescheduled. Picture: Getty Images.

Despite confirmation that the meeting was due to take place, Sheens indicated he knew “absolutely nothing” about the impending talks on Thursday and labelled the noise around Holbrook being linked to the club as “paper stuff”.

Club sources insist the meeting was never designed to undermine the current coaching staff and the club remains committed to the transition from Sheens to Marshall at the end of next season.

They also insist Marshall was aware of the meeting. However, it has only fuelled speculation that Sheens could be moved on at the end of the season and Marshall’s move into the top job-fast tracked.

Tigers officials insist that won’t happen but they also believe it is in Marshall‘s interest to keep abreast of coaches who are on the market as they look to ensure they surround their incoming coach with staff capable of strengthening the organisation.

Holbrook would certainly help on that front given his success, in particular in England where he led St Helens to glory. However, he seems unlikely to still be available when Marshall is scheduled to take over as head coach in 2025 given there are already clubs queuing for his services.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens was unaware any meeting was set to take place. Picture: Getty Images.

The Tigers insist they are not one of them, at least in the short term.

Marshall and Sheens are joined by Robbie Farah and David Furner on the coaching staff.

The Tigers are not the only club to express an interest in signing Holbrook since he was cut loose from the Titans last month. Already he has been spoken with Canterbury and North Queensland while his former club the Roosters also have an opening given they had not yet formally replaced Jason Ryles.

The Cowboys are on the lookout for an assistant coach after the Dragons confirmed on Friday that Dean Young would join Shane Flanagan’s coach at the end of the season.

SUPER LEAGUE STUD’S STUMBLING BLOCK IN TIGERS RESCUE MISSION

—Peter Badel

Former Broncos playmaker Brodie Croft is open to returning to the NRL after holding talks with Benji Marshall to rescue the Wests Tigers next season.

Croft celebrated his 26th birthday on Friday and incoming Tigers coach Marshall has given the halfback an NRL gift by expressing interest in the halfback wearing the Tigers No.7 jumper for 2024 and beyond.

This masthead can reveal the Tigers can secure Croft if they pay a $150,000 transfer fee to his current club Salford in the English Super League.

Salford’s Brodie Croft is open to a return to the NRL with the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty

The embattled Tigers are on the lookout for playmaking options following Luke Brooks’ impending departure to Manly next season and Croft is one of several names on Benji’s hitlist.

The Tigers have also discussed a potential homecoming for Jock Madden, who joined the Broncos this season after failing to unseat Brooks over the past two seasons at the joint-venture club.

Croft has signed a seven-year deal with Salford until 2030, but can activate a get-out clause to return to the NRL at the end of this season.

Croft’s manager Chris Orr confirmed the rejuvenated playmaker would not rule out an Australian resurrection at the Tigers after he was sounded out last year by a number of NRL clubs.

“Brodie will seriously consider a return to the NRL moving forward,” said Orr of PSM.

“’Crofty’ had the Titans and Dragons chasing him to return late last year, but at that stage, the timing wasn’t right.

“His running game and short-kicking game has been outstanding in the Super League and I and Brodie believe his best football is in front of him.”

Jock Madden is another player on the radar of the Tigers. Picture: Getty

Croft’s NRL career appeared over after a turbulent stint under Anthony Seibold at the Broncos.

Blooded by Storm coach Craig Bellamy as a successor to Cooper Cronk, Croft played 39 games for Melbourne before shifting to the Broncos, where he played 26 matches between 2020-21.

But after struggling with the pressures of performing at underachieving glamour club the Broncos, Croft was granted an early release to start afresh in the Super League.

The playmaker has proved a sensation in England, steering Salford to the finals last season and winning the prestigious Man of Steel going - Super League’s equivalent of the NRL’s Dally M Medal.

Croft was granted an early release by the Broncos after strugglign with the pressures of the glamour club. Picture NRL Images

Croft carved up for the Red Devils, scoring seven tries, posting 25 try assists and amassing 83 tackle busts and 23 line breaks to help Salford to the finals.

Marshall believes a wiser and more mature Croft can return to the NRL to provide some direction for the strife-torn Tigers as they plan for life after Brooks.

Madden is another option. The former Australian Schoolboys ace is contracted to the Broncos for another year and while the Tigers have sounded him out, Madden’s preference is to stay at Brisbane.

The Broncos are aware of interest in Madden and have kicked-off talks on an extension to keep the 23-year-old at Red Hill until the end of 2026.

JOHNSON KNOCKS BACK HUGE INTEREST TO STAY A WARRIOR

By David Riccio

The comeback story of Kiwi star Shaun Johnson is poised to another remarkable chapter with the veteran halfback putting pen to paper on a new deal.

Johnson has shelved retirement plans for at least another season with the revitalised half preparing to announce a new 12-month contract with his beloved Warriors.

Johnson wants the Warriors to announce the new deal on Thursday.

Just two months away from turning 33, Johnson has found a new lease of life following a tumultuous 2022 season that led to a serious discussion within the franchise over whether the former Golden Boot winner would call time on his stellar career.

No player felt the isolation from family friends more than Johnson during the Warriors’ forced relocation to Australia throughout the NRL’s Covid-affected seasons of 2021 and 2022.

Shaun Johnson to sign a one-year extension. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty

As a result, his form suffered.

However, the Warriors’ permanent move back to Auckland in 2023 has coincided with some of Johnson’s best football.

The experienced halfback was off-contract at the end of this year, which also led to an approach from the Wests Tigers.

Johnson ultimately knocked back the interest with the Warriors able to negotiate an extended deal that will take him through to a 14th season in the NRL.

LODGE’S MID-SEASON MANLY SWITCH

-Brent Read and Michael Carayannis

Matt Lodge is set to be reunited with Anthony Seibold for the remainder of the season - and potentially beyond - after Sea Eagles owner and chair Scott Penn gave club officials the green light to secure the front row enforcer on a train-and-trial deal.

Lodge, who was given permission to explore his options by the Roosters, will play for Blacktown in the NSW Cup this weekend and have the rest of the season to secure a longer-term deal with the Sea Eagles.

Seibold played a key role in Manly’s decision to sign Lodge, the pair having worked alongside each other at the Brisbane Broncos. Seibold thought so highly of Lodge at the Broncos that he pushed for the powerhouse prop to be named captain.

It was a push that ultimately failed because the club’s hierarchy were wary of the backlash given Lodge’s well-documented troubles with the law some years ago.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Matt Lodge in action for the Roosters. NRL Imagery

However, they have now joined forces again at the Sea Eagles after Penn and chief executive Tony Mestrov conducted their own background research into Lodge to ensure he wouldn’t be a disruption to the side as they push to play finals.

“We don’t have a spot in our top 30,” Seibold said.

“I have worked with him at the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane. Him and his family live in the area. He’s a quality player and we have given him an opportunity.

“Things didn’t work out for him at the Roosters. He’ll get an opportunity and he will add to our squad.”

Lodge made a positive impact when he first arrived at the Roosters but things turned sour this year after he was told that there was no deal for him beyond this season.

The Roosters agreed to let him leave if he could find another opportunity and Seibold has come to the rescue, albeit on a cut-price deal.

Lodge now has a matter of weeks to convince the Sea Eagles that he can make them better as he looks to secure a deal beyond this season.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Wests Tigers set to meet with Justin Holbrook, zero in on Brodie Croft as Luke Brooks replacement