Manly close in on new deal for Trbojevic brothers, Alex Johnston re-signs with Rabbitohs, Api Koroisau extends with Tigers

Manly are closing in on new deals for the Trbojevic brothers, while Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston has re-signed as he closes in on the NRL try-scoring record. See the latest transfer news.

Manly’s resurgent season looks set to receive a turbo boost with the finals on the horizon as the club closes in on new deals for Tom Trbojevic and his brother Jake.

This masthead can reveal that Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov has planned a meeting with Trbojevics’ agent Paul Sutton later this week as he looks to finalise contracts extensions for the pair, who are off contract at the end of next season.

Manly are looking to secure Jake Trbojevic until at least the end of 2027 while Tom Trbojevic’s new deal would be until at least the end of 2028.

The Trbojevic boys are part of the furniture at Manly and have been central figures in the club’s resurgence over the past three weeks, helping revive their premiership hopes.

It is understood the parties are close to alignment on the parameters of the new deals and the hope is that they can agree on an extension in coming weeks, removing a potential distraction as they eye off a finals run.

Manly are closing in on new deals for Jake (left) and Tom (right) Trbojevic. Picture: Getty Images

Manly have put themselves back in the top eight picture after a sequence of three successive wins, topped off by a pulsating victory in Melbourne last weekend.

That win moved the Sea Eagles into seventh spot, opening up a two-point buffer over the ninth-placed Dolphins. The Trbojevic boys have been central figures in the club’s recent form and Mestrov is optimistic they are close to extending the pair.

“We’re not far away,” Mestrov said.

“We have been in discussions for a little while and it’s about getting it right. We’ll look to close it out over the next two to three weeks.”

Tom and Jake Trbojevic have been the heart-and-soul at Manly for more than of a decade and the Sea Eagles officials wants them to finish their careers at the club, alongside their younger brother Ben.

Talks with the pair kicked off nearly two months ago but stalled as the club struggled and the pair wrestled with their own form.

However, discussions have heated up in recent weeks as Manly have returned to their winning ways with Jake and Tom Trbojevic at the centre of their form reversal.

Jake Trbojevic showed how much winning meant to him when he celebrated the win over the Storm by excitedly kicking over a bunch of plastic bottles that were on the dressing room floor.

Tom Trbojevic, meanwhile, is starting to look like his former self since being moved to the centres.

SOUTHS STAR SET FOR ‘RECORD BREAKING’ DEAL

South Sydney have announced the re-signing of winger Alex Johnston as he closes in on the NRL try scoring record.

Johnston has extended his contract for a further two seasons, taking him to the end of 2027.

The winger, 30, has 207 tries since making his debut in 2014, and trails only the legendary Ken Irvine (212) on the all-time list.

“Alex is the greatest try scorer our club has seen and is on track to become the greatest try scorer in the sport’s history in this country,” Souths head of football, Mark Ellison said.

“He is a smart footballer that knows how to finish off a try scoring movement and how to use his body to put himself in the best position to get over the line.

Alex Johnston is closing in on the NRL all-time try scoring record, and with a new two-year deal under his belt will surely get there in 2026 if not 2025. Picture: Getty Images

“He is a South Sydney junior from the La Perouse Panthers club, he is an inspiration to so many young footballers from our district, across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community as well as the people of Papua New Guinea.

“He is a doting dad to Sonny and Avery with the support of his partner Taryn, and we’re delighted that they will all be remaining as Rabbitohs for the next two seasons.”

Johnston was off contract at season’s end but never seriously contemplated leaving the Rabbitohs.

“I couldn’t be happier to be staying at the club for another two years,” Johnston said.

“I’ve enjoyed premiership success here before and I’m really focused on doing that again here for South Sydney.

“I also want to break the try scoring record at the Rabbitohs and achievements like that come from the efforts and performances of my teammates as much as me. We’re all in this together.

“I also would like to thank the Members for their support. There are no more loyal supporters in the game and I love representing them each week as well. I thank them for sticking by us and encouraging us throughout some

difficult times on field.

“I’m looking forward to working hard to turn around the back end of our season this year and then having a crack at premierships over the next two years as well.”

TIGERS RE-SIGN SKIPPER

Api Koroisau has signed a two year extension with the Wests Tigers.

Koroisau was off contract at the end of next season but will now stay with Tigers until the end of 2028, keeping out the clutches of expansion teams Perth and PNG.

His retention is a significant vote of confidence for chef executive Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall.

Wests Tigers co-captain, Apisai Koroisau (left) has re-signed with the club on a two-year extension. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The Tigers made the three time premiership winner a priority after releasing rising star Tallyn Da Silva to the Eels.

The 32-year-old said he was happy to re-commit to the team.

“This club has become family to me,” Koroisau said. “I’ve felt nothing but support from the players, staff, and especially Benji - he’s someone I really admire and enjoy playing under.

“I’m stoked to re-sign and can’t wait to help lead this team for a few more years.”

Tigers coach Benji Marshall described him as the “heart and soul” of the team.

“His leadership, experience and energy are invaluable,” Marshall said “Having him commit to our future is massive for the direction we are heading in.”

Originally published as Manly close in on new deal for Trbojevic brothers, Alex Johnston re-signs with Rabbitohs, Api Koroisau extends with Tigers