WELCOME to Market Watch, your home for the latest news on player movements at your club.

From transfers, new deals and retirements.

Check it all out here!



BIG DOG IN EYE OF THE STORM



Melbourne have made a play for Kiwi giant Sam Kasiano.

Market Watch understands the Storm have been keeping close tabs on Canterbury’s roster movements, with speculation rife the club could be forced to shed players in order to accommodate the arrival of Aaron Woods next season.

Round 19

It’s no secret the Storm have been in pursuit of a marquee forward after losing Jordan McLean to North Queensland from 2018 and Kasiano fits the bill.

So much so, feelers have been sent out to gauge the 26-year-old’s interest.

Sam Kasiano (centre) of the Bulldogs is tackled. Source: AAP

Under contract until the end of 2018, Kasiano would need to be granted a release to take up an opportunity with the Storm or any other club.

It’s understood Kasiano wants to become a starting prop but with James Graham, David Klemmer and Aidan Tolman currently filling those roles and Woods to join the squad next season, Kasiano’s path has been blocked from every angle.

It’s also understood Kasiano is open to leaving Belmore if the Bulldogs need him to do so.

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by Kieran Foran’s manager Sam Ayoub to discuss his move and the fallout for the Bulldogs and Warriors.





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GUBB TO HEAD NORTH?



North Queensland are closing in on the signature of Warriors cult hero Charlie Gubb.

Market Watch understands the prop is in talks over a two-year-deal starting next year but the Cowboys could welcome him to the club as soon as this season if Stephen Kearney grants an immediate release.

It was only few months ago that the club were keen on luring the big unit up north and interest hasn’t waned.



Charlie Gubb of the Warriors in action. Source: AAP





With Matt Scott sidelined thanks to a season-ending knee injury, the early arrival of Gubb would be a huge coup as they fight to keep their season alive.

But there’s no guarantee it will play out that way.

Having already signed Jordan McLean for next season, Paul Green is assembling quite the roster as he rebuilds following the loss of James Tamou (Penrith), Ben Hannant (retired) and Kalyn Ponga (Knights from next season).

Johnathan Thurston still remains off-contract but is expected to sign on for a swansong season and one last crack at another premiership.



*Note: Earlier in the day we published Gubb had signed but that is not the case.



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THE FORGOTTEN TIGER FUNDS





The Wests Tigers have been unabashed in their pursuit of new players to add quality to their side.

Even after signing Ben Matulino and Josh Reynolds to handsome deals, the Tigers have what seems to be an endless supply of cash.

Why is that?



Robbie Farah. While the hooker isn’t at the club, he’s burning a hole in their salary cap this season.

A $700,000 hole, in fact. That payment expires in November, which means Ivan Cleary has plenty more cash to splash on marquee recruits.

Meanwhile, Corey Thompson has accepted a one-year-deal with the Tigers starting next season after being granted a release from Widnes.









Fellow Super League back, Mahe Fonua, has requested a release from his contract with Hull FC to return to Australia.

The 24-year-old and his partner are expecting their first child and wish to return to Australia to be closer to their families.

The Tigers have offered Fonua a two-year-deal and are also keeping a close watch of Raiders winger Kato Ottio’s movements.



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CHOOK TO STAY



Daniel Tupou is close to striking a new deal with the Roosters.

The winger is in the advanced stages of completing a three-to-four-year extension on his contract.

Since making his NRL debut in 2012 after leaving Parramatta’s junior system, the 25-year-old has found himself a home with the Tricolours.



Daniel Tupou of Tonga scores in the corner. Source: AAP





With more than 100 first grade games, a Test and multiple NSW Origin appearances, the new deal seals Tupou’s future but could force another loyal servant out of the club.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is expected to leave at the end of the year regardless of how his off-field dramas play out, as the Roosters are blessed for options in the outside backs.

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ALL IN THE FAMILY





Cronulla’s Holden Cup hooker Blayke Brailey is a wanted man.

The Gold Coast have identified the youngster as a recruitment target to act as cover for Nathan Peats, who they remain in talks with to extend beyond this season.

But fear not Sharks fans - the defending premiers are in advanced talks to extend his deal with the club.

Blayke Brailey playing schoolboys for Australia. Source: News Corp Australia

With his brother Jayden in first grade, the 77kg rake has been running riot in the NYC and is viewed as a long-term first-grader.

While Jayden and James Segeyaro have blocked the pathway to NRL footy, the club want to keep continue developing the teenager.

The decision-makers at the Sharks believed Blayke is 24 months away from joining his brother in the NRL.

Brailey currently leads the Holden Cup in try assists, with 13 for the season.

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RAIDERS SIGN ANOTHER RUGBY GUN





Canberra’s rugby raid has continued, with the Green Machine adding Kiwi flyer Seketo’a Tamiefuna to their Holden Cup roster for the remainder of the year.

A product of Saint Kentigern College, the same school Suliasi Vunivalu was on scholarship with, Tamiefuna has all the attributes a winger needs.

Canberra sign rugby young gun Seketo'a Tameifuna. Source: YouTube

A schoolboy rugby gun, the teenager has fancy feet, speed and a big fend.

Earlier in the week, it was revealed that Canberra signed Fijian Rugby Sevens Olympic gold medallist, Masivesi Dakuwaqa.

The Raiders announced that they’ve signed him for the remainder of the 2017 season but Market Watch can reveal the club has an option on him for 2018.



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SHHHHH

He’s been banned from featuring in the NRL this year but several clubs are keeping a close eye on Matt Lodge’s performances in the Queensland Cup.

Playing with Brisbane feeder side Redcliffe, the Broncos are hopeful of bringing the 21-year-old into their full-time squad next season. However, Market Watch has learned that a host of clubs are lining up for his signature as the NRL expands squads in 2018 from 25 top tier players to 30.

Matt Lodge chased by Mitchell Frei and Brendon Gibb. Source: News Corp Australia

At 110kg, footage of Lodge - who made his NRL debut for Tigers in 2014 - has been in demand in recent weeks.

The forward has been a standout in the ISC competition.

As a result, the troubled player has plenty of clubs willing to gamble on a career lifeline.

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If you have heard some signing news you want to share with us, tweet us: @FoxNRL, @Nath_Ryan or email Nathan.Ryan@news.com.au

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OFF CONTRACT LIST FOR 2017

BRISBANE BRONCOS

Jai Arrow, Joe Boyce, Darius Boyd, Mitchell Dodds, Mitch Cronin, Salesi Funaki, Alex Glenn, Jordan Kahu, Benji Marshall, Anthony Milford, Francis Molo, Joe Ofahengaue, James Roberts, Marion Seve, Travis Waddell

New deal: David Mead (until 2018), Corey Oates (until end of 2018), Josh McGuire (until end of 2021), Jonus Pearson (until end of 2019), Andrew McCullough (until 2021)

Leaving: Ben Hunt (Dragons from next year until end of 2022 with player option for extra season)

CANBERRA RAIDERS



Eddie Aiono, Lachlan Croker, Adam Clydsdale, Kato Ottio, Zac Santo

New deal: David Taylor (until end of 2017), Jordan Rapana (until end of 2019), Masivesi Dakuwaqa (From Fijian Sevens until end of 2017 with club option for 2018)

Leaving: Jeff Lima (retiring at end of season), Edrick Lee (Immediate release to Cronulla until end of 2018), Shaun Fensom (Immediate release to North Queensland until end of 2018)

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Adam Elliott, Danny Fualalo, Craig Garvey, Kerrod Holland, Will Hopoate, Michael Lichaa, Tyrone Phillips, Chase Stanley

New deal: Aiden Tolman (until 2020), Des Hasler (until end of 2019)

Leaving: Lloyd Perrett (Immediate release to Manly until 2019), Josh Reynolds (Tigers until 2021)

CRONULLA SHARKS

Gerard Beale, Fa’amanu Brown, Manaia Cherrington, Jordan Drew, Paul Gallen, Chris Heighington, Jeremy Latimore, Luke Lewis, Daniel Mortimer, Joseph Paulo, Sam Tagataese, Tony Williams

New deal: Valentine Holmes (until end of 2019), Malakai Houma (until end of 2017 from Newtown), Kurt Dillon (until end of 2017 from Newtown), Sosaia Feki (until end of 2019), Jayden Brailey (until end of 2019), Wade Graham (until end of 2019), Matt Prior (until end of 2020), Kurt Capewell (until end of 2019), Chad Townsend (until 2020)

Leaving: Ben Barba (rugby immediately), Jack Bird (Broncos until 2020 with player option for 2021)

GOLD COAST TITANS



Karl Lawton, Agnatius Paasi, Nathan Peats, Eddy Pettybourne, Leivaha Pulu, Tyrone Roberts, Ryan Simpkins, William Zillman, jarryd Hayne* player option

New deal: Ryan James (until end of 2020), Daniel Vidot (From Salford until end of 2018), Max King (until end of 2019), Joe Greenwood (St Helens until end of 2019), Konrad Hurrell (until end of 2019), Chris Grevsmuhl (immediate signing until end of 2018)

Leaving: David Shillington (retired immediately), Zeb Taia (released to St Helens), Nathan Davis (released to Eels until end of 2017 with club option for 2018), Chris McQueen (Wests Tigers until end of 2020)

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Billy Bainbridge, Brenton Lawrence, Brad Parker, Frank Winterstein

New deal: Addin Fonua-Blake (until 2018)

Leaving: Willis Meehan (Immediate release), Brett Stewart (medical retirement), Steve Matai (medical retirement)

MELBOURNE STORM

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy at training. Source: News Corp Australia

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Dean Britt, Will Chambers, Slade Griffin, Jeremy Hawkins, Ryley Jacks, Mark Nicholls, Billy Slater, Shem Tatupu, Justin Olam* club option

New deal: Suliasi Vunivalu (until the end of 2018), Joe Stimson (until end of 2019), Jesse Bromwich (until end of 2020 with two year option), Kenny Bromwich (until end of 2020), Dale Finucane (until end of 2021), Felise Kaufusi (until 2018 with option for 2019), Christian Welch (until 2019)

Leaving: Tohu Harris (Warriors at end of season until 2021), Jordan McLean (Cowboys until 2020), Cooper Cronk (released at the end of the season)

WARRIORS

Matthew Allwood, Blake Ayshford, Erin Clark, James Gavet, Charlie Gubb, Ato Hingano, Ryan Hoffman, Jacob Lillyman, Mason Lino, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Ofahiki Ogden, Nathaniel Roache, Ligi Sao, Patrick Sipley, Toafofoa Sipley, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete

New deal: Shuan Johnson (until 2019)

Leaving: Ben Matulino (Tigers until 2020), Kieran Foran (Bulldogs until 2020)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

David Bhana, Brendan Elliot, Jaelen Feeney, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Dane Gagai* player option, Jacob Gagan, Peter Mata’utia, Sam Mataora, Mickey Paea, Pauli Pauli, Will Pearsall, Dylan Phythian, Tyler Randell, Josh Starling, Jack Stockwell, Luke Yates

New deal: Joe Wardle (From Huddersfield until 2019), Anthony Tupou (From Wakefield until end of 2017), Tom Hughes (second-tier until end of 2017), Mitchell Barnett (until end of 2020), Danny Levi (until the end of 2020)

Leaving: Jake Mamo (Immediate release to released to Huddersfield), Korbin Sims (Immediate release to Brisbane until end of 2018)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS



John Asiata, Scott Bolton, Gavin Cooper, Kyle Feldt, Shaun Hudson, Corey Jensen, Patrick Kaufusi, Kyle Laybutt, Gideon Mosby-Gela, Ben Spina, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston

New deal: Jason Taumalolo (until end of 2027), Matthew Scott (until end of 2019), Carlin Anderson (from Townsville until end of 2018)

Leaving: Kalyn Ponga (Knights at end of season until 2022)

PARRAMATTA EELS

Kirisome Auva’a, Bureta Faraimo, John Folau, David Gower, James Hasson, George Jennings, Cameron King, Cody Nelson, Rory O’Brien, Frank Pritchard, Jeff Robson, Scott Schulte, Will Smith, Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo, Honeti Tuha, Matthew Woods

New deal: Clint Gutherson (until 2019), Tim Mannah (until end of 2019), Tepai Moeroa (until 2019)

Leaving: Vai Toutai (released), Semi Radradra (French rugby at end of season), Alex Twal (Tigers until end of 2020)

PENRITH PANTHERS

Sitaleki Akauola, Sione Katoa, Darren Nicholls, Michael Oldfield, Corey Harawira-Naera

New deal: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (until end of 2020), Dean Wahre (until 2021 with player option for 2022), Viliame Kikau (until end of 2019)

Leaving: Andy Saunders (Immediate release to Bulldogs until end of 2017), Zach Dockar-Clay (released to Hull KR until 2018), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (immediate release to Tigers until end of 2018)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Anthony Cherrington, Brad Deitz, Bryson Goodwin, Damon Goolagong, Jack Gosiewski, Aaron Gray, Brett Greinke, Alex Johnston, Luke Kelly, Dane Nielsen, Robbie Rochow, Toby Rudolf, John Sutton, David Tyrrell

New deal: Siosifa Talakai (until end of 2019), Mawene Hiroti (until end of 2019), Campbell Graham (until end of 2019), Kyle Turner (until end of 2019)

Leaving:

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS



Levi Dodd, Josh Dugan, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Yaw Kiti Glymin, Siliva Havili, Jacob Hind, Drew Hutchison, Tim Lafai, Chris Lewis, Kurt Mann, Jake Marketo, Mose Masoe, Will Matthews, Tyrone McCarthy, Josh McCrone, Taane Milne, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Nona, Russell Packer,

New deal: Luciano Leilua (until end of 2018), Jai Field (until end of 2019), Jacob Host (until end of 2020), Euan Aitken (until end of 2020), Jack de Belin (until the end of 2020), Blake Lawrie (until end of 2019), Gareth Widdop (until 2021)

Leaving:

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Paki Afu, Paul Carter, Mitch Cornish, Blake Ferguson, Michael Gordon, Aidan Guerra, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Brenden Santi, Chris Smith, Zane Tetevano, Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck, Daniel Tupou

New deal: Connor Watson (until end of 2018), Dylan Napa (until end of 2019), Ryan Matterson (Until end of 2019), Mitchell Pearce (until end of 2019)

Leaving: Jackson Hastings (Immediate release to Manly until 2018), Dale Copley (Released to Titans until end of 2018), Kane Evans (Eels until 2020)

WESTS TIGERS

Matt Ballin, Joel Edwards, Matt Eisenhuth, Tim Grant, Watson Heleta, Jamal Idris, Jack Littlejohn, Wesley Lolo, Kyle Lovett, Matt McIlwrick, Mitchell Moses, Kevin Naiqama, Jordan Rankin, Bayley Sironen

New deal: Elijah Taylor (option in his favour for 2018), Josh Aloiai (until end of 2019), Moses Suli (until end of 2020), Michael Chee-Kam (until end of 2019), Ivan Cleary (until end of 2020), Luke Brooks (until 2019), David Nofoaluma (until 2021)

Leaving: Rod Griffin (immediate release to Bulldogs until end of 2017), Tim Simona (banned by NRL), Taniela Paseka (released to Manly until end of 2018), Ava Seumanufagai (Sharks until end of 2019), Aaron Woods (Bulldogs until 2021), James Tedesco (Roosters until 2021), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm until 2020)

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