NRL contract, signing news: Panthers re-sign Tyrone May, 11 Eels leave Parramatta

The Penrith Panthers have received a huge boost ahead of their preliminary final, locking down an off-contract playmaker, while the Eels have farewelled a staggering 11 players after their finals exit.

Tyrone May (right) has signed a new deal with the Panthers. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Penrith has received a boost ahead of their preliminary final clash with confirmation that Tyrone May has extended his stay with the minor premiers.

Utility star May was off-contract at the end of the season but has quietly inked a deal that will keep him at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, Parramatta have cleaned house following their straight-sets finals exit by farewelling 11 players.

Veteran Brad Takairangi and one-time prodigy Jaeman Salmon have been released along with hooker Rhys Davies, while David Gower has retired and Peni Terepo has taken a break from rugby league.

Livewire half Jai Field is set to join Super League side Wigan Warriors, while Kane Evans (Warriors), Stefano Utiokamanu (Wests Tigers) and Andrew Davey (Manly) have all sealed moves to rival NRL clubs.

Development players Watson Heleta and Kyle Schneider have also been released.

SUMMER SALE: STARS HIT THE OPEN MARKET

The game‘s greatest ever player, State of Origin stars, a host of modern-day masters and young guns headline the biggest summer sale rugby league has ever seen.

The future of almost 100 off-contract players remain uncertain as they prepare to flood on to the open market at the end of the NRL 2020 season, with the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic creating a perfect “buyer’s market” for clubs on the lookout for new talent.

Most NRL clubs aren’t rushing to sign other free agents and fill the remaining spots in their 30 rosters for season 2021. It means many off-contract players face a nervous wait over the summer.

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Cameron Smith’s decision will have a huge impact on the futures of Harry Grant and Brandon Smith.

THE GREAT

Melbourne captain Cameron Smith, the NRL’s record holder for most games, headlines an unprecedented free agency list.

While Smith is unlikely to play on beyond this season, his final decision will have a direct impact on the futures of Storm pair Brandon Smith and Harry Grant.

Grant spent this year on loan at Wests Tigers and, at 22 and this week being named in Queensland‘s preliminary Origin squad, would not be prepared to wait for an opportunity in Melbourne after establishing himself as a ready-made first-grader. Brandon Smith has made clear he sees himself as an 80-minute hooker. If robust rake is forced to play second fiddle to Grant, he could be on a lookout for a new home with the likes of the Canterbury Bulldogs keen on his services.

Josh Addo-Carr is still contracted at Melbourne but is looking for a new home in Sydney.

ORIGIN STAR

Smith‘s Storm teammate Josh Addo-Carr, who remains contracted to Melbourne until the end of 2021, is desperate to return to Sydney on compassionate grounds, but things are at a standstill because the Storm will only release him if they can land a suitable replacement for the NSW Origin winger.

While the Wests Tigers interest in Addo-Carr‘s appears to have cooled, South Sydney is being mooted as an option depending on the future of teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii.

YOUNG & RESTLESS

With next season’s $9.9 million salary cap to shrink anywhere between five to 10 per cent players who are likely to fill the last five places in the top 30 roster are facing the prospect of accepting less money than what they would have commanded in previous years.

Alex Seyfarth: The Tigers are at risk of letting another talented youngster slip through their fingers in the same fashion the club lost Ryan Papenhuyzen, Josh Addo-Carr, James Tedesco and Aaron Woods. The under-18s and 20s NSW Blues forward is in negotiations but the Concord club is yet to lock him in for 2021.

Adam Keighran: The Sydney Roosters have shown some early interest in the New Zealand Warriors five-eighth but talks are not likely to progress until after the finals series.

Danny Levi: The former Newcastle and Manly hooker, who has played 103 NRL games, has fielded interest from a number of Sydney clubs but is yet to receive a formal offer for season 2021.

THE HIGH-PROFILE STARS

With over 1000 games of NRL combined, it’s easy to see why the likes of Jordan Rapana and Benji Marshall won’t have to worry about securing their futures in 2021.

Jordan Rapana: The Daily Telegraph understands the flyer had leapfrogged Josh Addo Carr as a target at the Tigers but now looks set to secure his future in Canberra.

Benji Marshall: The Wests Tigers great generated interest from two non-Sydney outfits and has a full-time Fox League gig on the table but is likely to make a decision about his future in the next two weeks.

Josh and Brett Morris: The veteran backs are both eager to play on in season 2021 and the Roosters are just as keen to have them on the roster.

Benji Marshall will make a decision about his future in the next two weeks.

ON THE FRINGE

Nathan Peats: The former NSW Blues hooker won’t be at the Gold Coast Titans in 2021 and could be a target for Trent Barrett at Canterbury, who is on the search for a playmaker and to add more experience to their roster.

Richie Kennar: The centre has a place in new Brisbane coach Kevin Walter’s roster but is testing the market before making a final call.

Drew Hutchison: The 25-year played five games in an injury-ravaged Roosters outfit in season 2020. While there is a chance Hutchinson remains at Bondi, the playmaker is open to joining another club where there would be more opportunities to play regular first grade.

Cameron King: The Sharks hooker will return from an ACL injury next year for the Townsville Blackhawks after agreeing to join the Instrust Super Cup outfit in season 2021.

Jai Field is heading to England.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Traditionally, dozens of players looking to continue their professional careers have made the switch to Super League, but that lifeline has dried up as England also battles through the impacts and uncertainty of COVID-19.

Joel Thompson and Greg Inglis have signed contracts to play in England, while Eels playmaker Jai Field also looks to have secured a deal overseas, where the speedster is set to link up with the Wigan Warriors.

Ricky Leutele: Melbourne have shown interest in keeping the premiership winning centre but any decision will be delayed until Toronto Wolfpack, where Leutele is contracted, has its own future sorted. The club is seeking to be reinstated into the English Super League in 2021.

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OFF CONTRACT 2020 LIST

BRONCOS

Jamil Hopoate, Jordan Kahu, Richie Kennar, Rhys Kennedy, Issac Luke, Sean O’Sullivan, Ben Te’o, Ilikena Vudogo

TOTAL: 8

CANBERRA

Sebastian Kris, Michael Oldfield, Jordan Rapana, Kurt Baptiste

TOTAL: 4

CANTERBURY

Jack Cogger, Tim Lafai, Marcelo Montoya, Aiden Tolman, Sauaso Sue, Isaiah Tass

Total: 6

CRONULLA

Mawene Hiroti, Kayleb Milne, Scott Sorensen, Brayden Trindall

Total: 4

GOLD COAST

Dale Copley, Keegan Hipgrave, Nathan Peats, Tyrone Roberts, Sam Stone

Total: 5

MANLY

Albert Hopoate, Luke Metcalf, Samuel Smith, Danny Levi, Brendan Elliott, Tony Williams

Total: 6

STORM

Josh Addo-Carr (contracted until 2021 but negotiating a release), Sandor Earl, Cooper Johns, Max King, Brenko Lee, Ricky Leutele, Marion Seve, Cameron Smith, Christian Welch

Total: 9

KNIGHTS

Brodie Jones, Josh King, Mason Lino, Tautau Moga, Tyronne Roberts-Davis, Connor Watson

Total: 6

NORTH QUEENSLAND

John Asiata, Tom Opacic, Daniel Russell, Javid Bowen

Total: 4

PARRAMATTA

Rhys Davies, David Gower, George Jennings, Jaeman Salmon, Will Smith, Brad Takairangi, Peni Terepo

Total: 7

PANTHERS

Caleb Aekins, Dean Blore, Tyrone May, Braydon McGrady, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Total: 5

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Jacob Host, Joe Lovodua, Tristan Sailor, Kaide Ellis

Total: 4

SOUTH SYDNEY

Tom Amone, Cory Denniss, Kurt Dillon, Patrick Mago, Ky Rodwell

Total: 5

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Jake Friend, Drew Hutchison, Matt Ikuvalu, Lachlan Lam, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Sonny Bill Williams

Total: 7

WARRIORS

Lachlan Burr, Patrick Herbert, Gerald Beale, Nathaniel Roache, Leivaha Pulu, Adam Keighran, Isaiah Papali’i, Peta Hiku, King Vuniyayawa

Total: 9

WESTS TIGERS

Sam McIntyre, Alex Seyfarth, Benji Marshall, Oliver Clark, Matt Eisenhuth, Elijah Taylor, Robert Jennings, Dylan Smith

Total: 8

GRAND TOTAL: 97

Who's left your club (officially)
Sea Eagles: Joel Thompson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Corey Waddell, Danny Levi, Brendan Elliot, Tony Williams, Luke Metcalf
Cowboys: Gavin Cooper (retired) John Asiata, Tom Opacic, Dan Russell, Garrett Smith
Tigers: Benji Marshall, Chris Lawrence (retired), Elijah Taylor, Matt Eisenhuth, Dylan Smith, Robert Jennings, Oliver Clark
Bulldogs: Aiden Tolman, Kieran Foran, Marcelo Montoya, Kerrod Holland (retired), Jack Cogger, Jesse Sue, Tim Lafai, Isaiah Tass
Dragons: Tyson Frizell, Euan Aitken, Jacob Host, Tristan Sailor, Joe Lovodua

Knights: Aiden Guerra (retired), Tim Glasby (retired), Herman Ese’ese, Blake Green and Andrew McCullough

Titans: Jai Arrow, Ryan James, Bryce Cartwright, Nathan Peats, Tyrone Roberts, Dale Copley

Brisbane: Matt Gillett (retired), Darius Boyd (retired), Jordan Kahu

Warriors: Agnatius Paasi, Nathaniel Roache, Isaiah Papali‘i, Adam Blair (retired), Leivaha Pulu, Gerard Beale, Adam Keighran, Lachlan Burr, Patrick Herbert, Taane Milne, King Vuniyayawa

Parramatta: Brad Takairangi, Jaeman Salmon, Rhys Davies, David Gower, Peni Terepo, Jai Field, Kane Evans, Stefano Utiokamanu, Andrew Davey, Watson Heleta, Kyle Schneider

Originally published as NRL contract, signing news: Panthers re-sign Tyrone May, 11 Eels leave Parramatta