Oct 7th, 2019

Oct 7th, 2019

The Roosters are in danger of losing, for next season, a large slice of the engine room that led them to historic back-to-back titles.

With rival clubs sniffing around their glamour line-up, the Roosters have been forced to upgrade several players and their salary cap is close to breaking point.

The Panthers are making a bid to sign the Roosters' best player from the grand final - enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

On top of that, the club is unlikely to be able to re-sign one of the unsung heroes of their premiership triumph - rugged prop Zane Tetevano.

The luckless Tetevano played 23 games for the club this year but was a late withdrawal from the decider when coach Trent Robinson decided to include skipper Jake Friend in his 17-man squad.

Yet Robinson thought so much of Tetevano's contribution to the Roosters' cause that he gave the tough prop his premiership ring.

Several rival clubs, as well as English teams, have expressed interest in Tetevano, who is off-contract.

If the Roosters lose both players, they will boast far less oomph in the trenches next season.

Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (R) is being pursued by Penrith. (Getty)

Roosters forward Zane Tetevano during the preliminary final win over Melbourne. (Getty)

BRONCOS SNIFF AROUND HASTINGS

The Broncos are desperate for a halfback in 2020 after their failings this year and a third-party made an inquiry on their behalf to a good one last week - Jackson Hastings.

After a troubled career at the Sea Eagles and Roosters, Hastings has become a superstar in England, guiding minnows Salford to an historic first grand final berth this year and winning Super League's Man of Steel award.

That has piqued the interest of several NRL clubs, but to no avail.

Hastings has signed a rich contract with glamour club Wigan as a marquee player and there is no way they will release him for next season.

It could be a different story in 2021, however.

Jackson Hastings (R) has had a massive Super League season. (Getty)

KNIGHT TO BE SQUEEZED OUT

The Knights have some great young kids coming through - and Samoan international Mason Lino looks like becoming a casualty of the push to blood the rookies.

Lino played some good footy in his 12 games for Newcastle this season but his services have been offered up to English clubs.

This comes as a result of the Knights' desire to move the likes of Bradman Best, Phoenix Crossland and Starford To'a into their top squad.

All three are destined for stardom and at least two players will have to go for the Knights to fit under the salary cap, with Lino top of the list.

Mason Lino could be set to leave the Newcastle Knights. (Getty)

BIG-NAME BRONCO TO RETIRE

Word coming to me out of Brisbane is that a big-name Bronco will announce his retirement before the new year.

I'm still digging to see who it will be - but it's almost certain to be Darius Boyd, Andrew McCullough or Alex Glenn.

Coach Anthony Seibold is keen to make changes to his squad and retiring one of the three veterans - all on big money - would give him room to move in the salary cap.

The Broncos have been doing a lot of soul-searching since their inglorious exit from the final series last month and changes will be made - provided they can retire players or move them on.