SHARKS coach Shane Flanagan meets with a big name off-contract playmaker as he consigns himself to losing premiership winning young gun Jack Bird.

Plus Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello responds to reports about his link with James Tedesco and the final twist in the Mitchell Moses saga.

Catch all the latest rugby league news in Media Watch!

Round 19

BIRD HEADS UP THE HIGHWAY

The cap pressure from Cronulla’s inaugural premiership is finally biting, with the Shire outfit conceding NSW Origin star Jack Bird is all but out the door at the end of the season.

Bird is believed to be joining Newcastle in 2018 after the Knights upped the ante in recent days with reports of a deal worth as much as $900,000 a year tabled by the cellar dwellers as they ramp up their rebuild.

Jack Bird would join Kalyn Ponga as a marquee signing at Newcastle in 2018. Picture: Evan Morgan Source: News Corp Australia

NRL360 host Paul Kent told Late Night with Matty Johns that while the Knights are yet to confirm the marquee signing, Flanagan and Cronulla are resigned to losing their gun utility.

“As of this afternoon the Knights wouldn’t confirm anything, said they hadn’t heard anything,” Kent said.

“What I will say is that Cronulla have basically given up chasing him.

“Parramatta are gone, it’s only the Knights left. The Sharks have conceded that he’s gone but the Knights won’t confirm.”

FLANNO MEETS WITH GRUB

Not so coincidentally, Channel Seven is reporting Flanagan recently met with Josh Reynolds at the Canterbury five-eighth’s home.

Flanagan, who is close with the Reynolds family, has previously stated he’d be willing to sign the off-contract playmaker should the Bulldogs opt not to re-sign him.

The Sharks also have halfback Chad Townsend off-contract at the end of the season, while veterans Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis are yet to confirm their playing futures beyond 2017.

Josh Reynolds in action for the Bulldogs. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Meanwhile, Canterbury hooker Michael Lichaa is out to prove he deserves a contract extension.

The No. 9 has copped criticism for the Bulldogs’ stale attack with a number of experts and former players calling for the club not to re-sign him beyond this season.

“I definitely want to stay. I think it’s the best club in the NRL for sure,” Lichaa told Fairfax Media.

“I love it so much. All my best mates now play here and I think we’ve got the best coach in the NRL as well. I definitely don’t want to leave.”

Michael Lichaa in action for the Bulldogs. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

MINI DISMISSES TEDDY RUMOURS

With the Sydney Roosters keen on snaring Tigers fullback James Tedesco, rumours are circulating that Tricolours legend Anthony Minichiello has been trying to lure to star to Bondi next season.

The pair played together for Italy in the 2013 World Cup and have remained close ever since.

TJames Tedesco in action. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

“That’s not true at all,” Minichiello told NRL Tonight.

“Teddy and I are good mates, we played in the Italian rugby league team in the 2013 World Cup.

“We catch up and speak every so often and he’s a guy that wants to improve and better his game.

“What we talk about is his game, not ‘you should leave the Tigers’. That’s his call.

“We’ve spoken about nutrition, we’ve spoken about positioning ... he’s a great guy and I’m sure he’ll make the right decision when he needs to.”

Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello. Source: News Corp Australia

Asked if he’d like Tedesco to join the Roosters, Minichiello replied: “Any club would like to have James Tedesco at fullback.”

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by Storm football manager Frank Ponissi to discuss the bombshell Cooper Cronk news and what it means for the club.

You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app.

FINAL TWIST IN MOSES SAGA

Wests Tigers five-eighth Mitchell Moses has had his request for a release denied — but it’s still likely to happen, according to Fox Sports’ chief NRL reporter James Hooper.

Moses wants out of the remainder of his Tigers contract to join Parramatta after inking a two-year deal to join the Eels from next season.

“Mitchell Moses is still pushing for that release to join the Parramatta Eels,” Hooper told NRL Tonight.

“I don’t think it’ll happen this weekend.

“Mitchell travelled with the Tigers to Townsville (on Thursday). He’ll take his place in the side and line up against the Cowboys on Saturday night.

“However, beyond that, I think we’ll still see him line up for the Tigers on Easter Monday, ironically, that match is against the Parramatta Eels.

“Then I think we’ll see the dust settle a little bit, negotiations are continuing behind the scenes between the Tigers hierarchy and the Parramatta Eels powerbrokers. I think we’ll see them strike a deal and we’ll see in all likelihood Mitchell Moses will be granted that release after the two clubs clash in round seven.”

DALEY TIPS CRONK TO PLAY ON

NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley believes Melbourne star Cooper Cronk will continue his NRL career in Sydney next season.

Cronk made the shock announcement on Tuesday that he’ll be leaving the Storm at the end of the season in order to move north to with his fiancee.

Melbourne Storm's Cooper Cronk announces his move to Sydney in 2018. Picture: Tony Gough Source: News Corp Australia

“I think he’ll come and play in Sydney, I think he’s still got a lot to offer,” Daley told the NSWRL website.

“Obviously there will be plenty of clubs lining up, but whatever club gets him, they’ll be getting a great player and someone that can help with their culture and get the players to understand what it takes to be part of a winning formula.

“I’m sure a lot of clubs will be on the phones ringing around and trying to work out their salary cap to see whether they can fit him in.”

Live stream the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week FOXTEL PLAY trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW!