Oct 8th, 2018

Oct 8th, 2018

New contender emerges for Sea Eagles gig

Jason Taylor has thrown his hat into the ring for the Manly coaching job - and may just prove the dark horse in the race.

With Michael Maguire knocking the Sea Eagles back last week and assistant coach John Cartwright seemingly out of favour, Taylor is in with a real chance.

The former goalkicking halfback has plenty of experience and his stocks have risen in the wake of the Roosters’ grand final win, where he was attacking coach.

(aap)

Prior to that, he had mixed stints as head coach of Parramatta, Souths and Wests Tigers.

Ironically, the Roosters demoted Taylor just before the finals for 2019 to coaching Manly’s former arch rivals North Sydney in the NSW Cup.

Taylor will be replaced as Trent Robinson’s assistant coach by Adam O’Brien, who joins the Roosters after 11 seasons at Melbourne.

Panthers raid Bunnies' playing stocks

Penrith have made their first significant signing for next year, picking up talented Souths utility Tyrell Fuimaono.

A powerhouse centre or second-rower, Fuimaono is a Panthers junior who spent time at Parramatta, where he made the 2016 NYC team of the year.

(aap)

He looked the goods at Souths last season, making his NRL debut and playing 15 games.

Injuries hampered his progress this year - in round two he played nearly half a game with a badly dislocated big toe - and he managed just five top grade appearances.

But the Panthers are convinced that once he regains full fitness, Fuimaono will again become a regular top liner.

PNG star heading to Townsville

The Cowboys have signed Papua New Guinea international utility Dan Russell for next season.

Russell played for the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII against their Aussie counterparts last weekend and the 22-year-old was solid in a beaten side.

A former Brisbane Bronco NYC player, Russell has been playing for Souths Logan Magpies over the past couple of seasons.

With Kane Linnett and Antonio Winterstein leaving the Cowboys over the summer, there is an opportunity for Russell if he has a good pre-season.

Big and strong, he can play both centre and winger and has also spent time in the back row.

Bye-bye Nene?

With the future of Nene MacDonald at the Dragons up in the air, the club is looking at other options.

MacDonald had a strong season on the flank for the Big Red V, scoring tries and regularly breaking the line.

He is being offered more cash by several clubs, even though he is under contract to the Dragons, and has itchy feet.

(AAP)

One player the Dragons are looking at is 23-year-old Broncos flyer Jonus Pearson.

A Thursday Islander, Pearson debuted for the Broncos in 2016 but with the club having so much backline talent, hasn’t been able to secure a regular spot.

He’s has appeared in just 11 games in the NRL but did cross for four tries in those matches and has speed and size.

He was Redcliffe’s leading try scorer in the Queensland Cup this season and may be headed to the Dragons if MacDonald decides to move on.