May 20th, 2019

May 20th, 2019

The Tigers are in danger of losing the man many regard as the NRL’s most underrated player: utility back Corey Thompson.

Thompson is coming off contract in a few months and the Tigers have yet to present him with a formal offer for 2020.

Rival clubs have been circling Thompson’s manager Mario Tartak, who now has some decisions to make with his client.

“Corey loves the Tigers but he needs to look after his future, wherever that lies,” Tartak told Wide World of Sports.

“The Tigers are in no rush to move on him.

“Several coaches have told me they see him as a very underrated and he appeals to them because he won’t cost the earth. And his ability to play several positions in the backline is a huge plus in his favour.”

Corey Thompson scores a try for Wests Tigers. (AAP)

BELATED SOUTHS COMEBACK FOR GOODWIN

English club Warrington has refused to allow journeyman utility back Bryson Goodwin to return to South Sydney to replace Greg Inglis this season.

But Goodwin, who turns 34 in December, has been granted a release to return to the Rabbitohs next year.

WWOS revealed last month that the move back to Redfern was on, but it was subsequently blocked by Wolves officials.

However, they did allow Goodwin to come home after this season on compassionate grounds.

Goodwin played for Souths from 2013 to 2017 and while he missed the 2014 grand final success, he was a key member of the Rabbitohs’ squad that season.

Bryson Goodwin celebrates a try for South Sydney in 2017. (AAP)

POTENTIAL MANLY BUYER REVEALED

I can reveal that the mystery company thinking of buying Manly from the Penn family is none other than the Sea Eagles’ major sponsor, URM, or United Resource Management.

One of Sydney’s biggest waste collectors, URM is headed by a couple of tragic Manly supporters who are more than happy to come up with the asking price of between $15 million and $20 million.

Owning an NRL club is not a profitable exercise but the pair are prepared to wear the loss for control of the club.

Former Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey recently joined the firm as an ambassador and will be involved in the bid.

But URM face some opposition in taking over the club - former owner Max Delmege is also keen to be involved again.

Sean O'Sullivan. (AAP)

HALFBACK SET TO HEAD NORTH

The Cowboys are close to snaring young halfback Sean O’Sullivan from the Broncos.

After making his debut at the Roosters last year, O’Sullivan moved north this year hoping to make the Broncos halfback spot his own.

But he has lost out to rookie Tom Dearden and has requested a release from his contract.

The Cowboys have had problems with the five-eighth spot since Johnathan Thurston’s retirement and 20-year-old O’Sullivan could be the answer.

Jake Clifford struggled at No.6 earlier in the season and prop John Asiata has been shifted there in a stop-gap measure by desperate coach Paul Green.