Hundred NRL players without deals for 2018 as June 30 mid-season deadline looms
THERE are 13 days until the June 30 deadline hits and upwards of 100 players remain without a contract for next season and beyond.
NRL
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THERE are 12 days until the June 30 mid-season signing deadline hits and nearly 100 NRL players remain without a contract for next season and beyond.
The NRL’s mid-season signing frenzy is far from over, with clubs set to make moves in the next two weeks to secure talent for the remainder of this year.
Throwing further confusion into the mix is the ongoing uncertainty about what the final figure will be for the 2018 salary cap at NRL and second-tier level.
This has forced clubs to sign deals on good faith, opening the door for at least four teams to be over the estimated cap next season.
The NRL and RLPA have been in protracted talks trying to reach agreement on a cap figure but one club official said: “It would be a miracle if it’s finalised before Christmas.”
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Despite these challenges, clubs are still proceeding with business as usual.
Penrith released rising New Zealand international Te Maire Martin on Friday to join North Queensland, while the Roosters parted ways with fellow Kiwi Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
The veteran three-quarter is favoured to link with Newcastle, probably before the June 30 deadline, pending the outcome of his court case for cocaine possession on Wednesday.
The Knights had tabled the veteran centre a three-year deal worth more than $1.2 million prior to his arrest on May 29.
Newcastle took the deal off the table but it’s understood the club will most likely reopen talks with the 29-year-old back.
Club officials will meet this week to discuss the prospect of luring Kenny-Dowall to the Hunter.
The Knights impressed with the long-serving Rooster when they met him in April, but they remain undecided about his signature.
English Super League club Salford have also expressed an interest in signing Kenny-Dowall after his release from the Roosters.
Newcastle are privatively confident of picking up Roosters utility Connor Watson for next season.
Watson has one year remaining on his deal at Bondi, but he is in talks with the Knights and the Wests Tigers.
After missing out on a number of local juniors over the years, including Boyd Cordner and Josh Jackson, Newcastle officials are determined to nab Watson, who spent his junior football on the Central Coast and aspired to play for the Knights.
Newcastle can also offer him a starting position, which he has struggled to nail down at the talent-laden Roosters.
In other signing news, Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen will play on at the Sharks in 2018, while fellow veteran forward Luke Lewis is expected to follow suit.
After luring Blues star Josh Dugan from the Dragons and expressing interest in Souths outside back Aaron Gray, the premiers are likely to offload players to remain under the cap.
Off-contract interchange forward Sam Tagataese will finish his career in England if he doesn’t receive a new contract from the Sharks.
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“I’ve thought about England and I’ve actually spoken with my wife and she said if it is going to help support us then she’d be prepared to pack up,” Tagataese said.
“She doesn’t want to, but she is prepared to. But I reckon I’ve still got plenty more years to play footy.
“If I take care of my body I don’t see why I would hang the boots up and hopefully I can stay with Cronulla for another year before maybe heading overseas.”
Panthers international Peta Hiku is set to fly out for England on Sunday to take up a mid-season transfer to Super League club Warrington.
On the back of star signings Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods for next season, Canterbury are another club overhauling their roster.
Veteran prop Sam Kasiano should sign with Melbourne for next season despite having one year to run on his deal, while hooker Michael Lichaa is expected to depart at season’s end.
The rebuilding Wests Tigers are also in the market under new coach Ivan Cleary. Sharks forward Jeremy Latimore is on their radar, while they have released utility Jordan Rankin to Huddersfield.
Originally published as Hundred NRL players without deals for 2018 as June 30 mid-season deadline looms
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