Apr 1st, 2019

Apr 1st, 2019

Manly are in danger of losing cult hero forward Joel Thompson to England next season.

Thompson is off-contract at the end of this season and at 30, could pick up a big payday to end his career in Super League.

The former Raiders and Dragons forward is one of the most popular players in the NRL because of his extensive charity work off the field.

He has given Manly great value over the past year and a bit and is a veteran of more than 200 NRL matches for the Raiders, Dragons and Sea Eagles.

Several UK clubs are showing interest in Thompson, who could snare a three or four-year deal in England - longer than he could get in the NRL.

Joel Thompson could leave Manly for the Super League. (AAP)

PAY KNOCKED BACK FOR EXTRA YEAR

On the face of it, Dean Pay’s one-year contract extension when his Bulldogs were winless in 2019 last week was a big show of faith in the coach.

But in rugby league, all is not always at it seems. Pay’s management was actually after a two-year deal and club officials weren’t prepared to give the former premiership-winning forward that.

So while the one-year deal takes some of the pressure off Pay this season, the blowtorch will be on him from the moment next season kicks off.

You have to feel for Pay, though. I’m told he is a good coach despite his little top-grade experience.

He inherited a club in disarray due to poor management of the salary cap and is continuing to battle on with one of the worst rosters in the NRL.

The fact the team won so well against the Tigers after he agreed to a new deal is a sign that the players are right behind Pay.

Bulldogs coach Dean Pay. (AAP)

BEEFED-UP FERGO EYES ORIGIN RETURN

Blake Ferguson’s stunning start to his Parramatta career has proved a massive plus for the Eels in the early rounds.

Ferguson has been among the form finishers in the NRL and has zoomed right back into Brad Fittler’s NSW State of Origin team reckoning.

Remarkably, Ferguson has added seven kilos of bulk over the summer yet lost none of his blistering pace.

At 102 kilos and 191 cm, he is now one of the biggest wingers in the game and a great addition to the Eels’ strike power out wide.

He has also improved his act off the field and if he can keep out of strife between now and Origin time, a Blues jumper looks to be his for the taking.

Blake Ferguson has been on fire for the Eels. (AAP)

MANLY HOOKER MAY LOOK ELSEWHERE

Manly coach Des Hasler suddenly has an embarrassment of riches in the hooking department.

Api Koroisau’s injury could have led to a massive headache but his replacement, young Manase Fainu, has been outstanding in his absence.

Fainu, just 20, led the way in the Sea Eagles’ big win over the Warriors last weekend and is a carbon copy of Koroisau with his darting runs from dummy-half.

Hasler’s problem now is to find a way to keep the pair happy. Fainu comes off contract at the end of next season and is already attracting interest from rival clubs.

He is a first-grader - no doubt about it - and is likely to ask for a release at the end of this season rather than playing second fiddle to Koroisau.