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

From transfers, new deals, rumours and retirements. Check it all out here!

ROCHOW A WANTED MAN

Newcastle have their work cut out for them to re-sign Robbie Rochow with a number of clubs chasing the young backrower.

Round 19

While the Knights have offered Rochow a three-year deal, the 25-year-old has placed negotiations on hold until the season kicks off in March.

Penrith are another club keen on the former NSW Country Origin representative, while his name has also been mentioned in Canberra.

Robbie Rochow makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Since returning to his junior club in 2012 after a brief stint with Melbourne where he made his NRL debut in 2010, Rochow is in his fifth pre-season with the Knights.

After missing the bulk of last season due to a back injury which limited his appearances to just five for the campaign, the Maitland product is primed for a big 2016.

Foxsports.com.au can reveal that Manly have expressed interest in Rochow and are in the market for a backrower with Blake Leary, Tom Symonds and Feleti Mateo all off contract.

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YOUNGSTER’S IMPACT ON COOTE

Lachlan Coote’s long-term future in North Queensland could largely depend on the development of the Cowboys’ brightest young star, Kalyn Ponga.

The premiership-winning fullback was hoping to have a new deal signed off on before the start of the season, however the development of teenage whiz kid Ponga has muddied the waters.

Kyle Feldt and Lachlan Coote after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final. Source: News Corp Australia

Coote is chasing a three-year contract but the Cowboys have not been able to commit to a deal, with the Holden Cup product to push for an NRL spot in the coming seasons.

To make matters even more difficult, of the Cowboys’ back five who featured in the 2015 grand final, only Kyle Feldt is signed beyond this year.

With the likes of Kane Linnett, Ethan Lowe, Justin O’Neill, James Tamou and Antonio Winterstein all off contract, the club has some tough decisions to make.

“I was hoping to have it done now but they have a few juggling acts to do at the club,” Coote told foxsports.com.au of his contract.

“There’s a few of us outside backs coming off contract at the club next year and nearly all our backline really.

“It’s business and they’ve got to do their side of things, so I’m waiting on their part.”

Cowboys U20s gun Kalyn Ponga. Source: News Corp Australia

Wanting to repay the faith the club has shown in him, Coote, 25, has been patiently playing the waiting game with talks between the club and his management ongoing.

In career-best form after missing the entire 2014 season through injury, Coote believes he and his partner have found a home for themselves in Townsville.

The former Panther and his partner Laura welcomed their first child, a son named Bailey, into the world in 2014 and while his partner initially missed Sydney, Coote said she’s happy to go wherever his career requires them to be.

“We had our first son last year and after having him and not having much help up there and me travelling has been hard on her,” he explained.

“Were both happy where we’re at. We’re in a good place. She’s happy to stay and happy to do what I want to do.”

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NEW DEAL FOR GLASBY

Tim Glasby of the Storm scores a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Melbourne forward Tim Glasby is poised to extend his stay with the Storm after agreeing to a new two-year deal.

The extension will tie the 26-year-old to the club until the end of 2018.

Part of Queensland’s emerging Origin squad, the Townsville product made 26 appearances for the Storm last season.

Making his NRL debut for the Storm in 2013, Glasby was meant to move to North Queensland in 2015 before a ‘personal reason’ saw the Cowboys agree to a release and Glasby re-signed with the Storm.

With 41 games to his name, Glasby will be pushing for a starting spot this season.

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FRIEND TO PLAY ON?

Nathan Friend may turn 35 next month but the pint-sized hooker is loving the game more than ever before.

Nathan Friend in action during Titans training. Source: News Corp Australia

Having returned to the Gold Coast for what most expected would be his swansong season, the hooker has revealed he hopes to continue playing for the Titans beyond 2016.

“My interest is on point,” Friend told foxsports.com.au.

“I’m training really well and feel great — what happens beyond is out my control.

“I’ve got other things sorted if it is (my last season but) I’m really loving the game even more than when I started. If it's to be the end, it is but if it’s not, I’d love to continue.”

A qualified brick layer by trade, Friend has begun to set himself up for life after football by exploring a number of interests within the health industry.

Entering into his 15 season in the NRL following stints with the Broncos, Storm, Titans and Warriors, Friend plans to speak with coach Neil Henry early in the season to gauge whether’s any room to extend his stay.

“There’s probably not too many people who go from being an 80 minute player, to no football so I think there’s probably room for a few guys to play part time,” he said.

“I guess we might sit down and have a chat earlier on in the season and have a chat about where I sit with King (Henry).”

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ONE LAST STINT

David Fa’alogo is set to join Queensland Cup side Ipswich this season.

Having backflipped on plans to retire from the game due to a neck injury, the forward will spend 2016 with the Jets, the team who beat Newcastle’s NSW Cup side to win the State Championship.

Fa’alogo, 35, played 198 NRL games for the Rabbitohs and Knights and 57 matches for Huddersfield. He also played 19 Tests for New Zealand and Samoa.

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LATEST RUMOURS

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INGLIS EXTENSION TO END RUMOURS

One of Shane Richardson’s first duties when he returns to South Sydney as their general manager of football will be to lock up Greg Inglis long-term.

While he’s not off-contract until the end of 2017, rumours have been rampant over the last six months that Inglis, 29, will finish his career in Brisbane.

The Rabbitohs have heard the murmurs and will begin talks of a two-year extension once the season gets under way.

Greg Inglis shares a laugh with Sam Thaiday at the Indigenous All Stars announcement. Source: News Corp Australia

While coach Michael Maguire wouldn’t comment on any potential extension he did confirm the skipper is in his plans moving forward.

“He really enjoys playing for this club,” Maguire told foxsports.com.au.

“He’s really forged a strong identity in the south Sydney history and wanting to create more.

“I see that he’s going to be here for quite some time.”

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SSHHHHH

The senior players at one Sydney-based club are concerned over the health of one of their most experienced players.

This particular player holds a key role within this team but there are some serious questions regarding whether his body is still up to the rigours of NRL.

The former representative player is not off-contract but his teammates are concerned he won’t be able to see out the season.

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SIO COMMITTED TO HULL

Last week we told you about rumours doing the rounds in England that former Parramatta winger Ken Sio could be heading back to the NRL.

Sio, who is currently playing for Hull KR in the UK Super League, had been linked to the Rabbitohs, however he is committed to seeing out his deal.

“I was a bit shocked when I read about it but that’s something behind the scenes that my manager can deal with,” Sio told Hull Daily Mail.

“I’ve still got a few more years left here and that’s all I’m focused about.”

While a return to Australia in 2016 looks highly unlikely, Sio did confirm he wants to return to the NRL.

“It’ll be good to finish my contract here and get a deal back home to be with the family again,” he said.

“My girlfriend has been travelling back and forth, but we have to talk about that and see what is best for our family.”

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If you have heard a rumour 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 2015

BRISBANE BRONCOS

Carlin Anderson, Greg Eden, Herman Ese’ese, Matt Gillett, Lachlan Maranta, Francis Molo, Kodi Nikorima, Tom Opacic, Corey Parker, Travis Waddell, Jarrod Wallace

New deal:

Leaving: Dale Copley (Immediate release to Roosters until end of 2018)

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Kurt Baptiste, Luke Bateman, Adam Clydsdale, Josh Hodgson, Rhys Kennedy, Brenko Lee, Jeff Lima, Tevita Pangai, Iosia Soliola, Sisa Waqa, Sam Williams

New deal:

Leaving:

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

Tim Browne, Dane Chisholm, Greg Eastwood, Josh Jackson, Antonio Kaufusi, David Klemmer, Shaun Lane, Moses Mbye, Pat O’Hanlon, Curtis Rona, Tony Williams

New deal:

Leaving:

CRONULLA SHARKS

Mitch Brown, Jayson Bukuya, Kurt Capewell, Josh Cleeland, Michael Ennis, David Fifita, Jacob Gagan, Paul Gallen, Chris Heighington, Luke Lewis, Junior Roqica, Sam Tagataese

New deal: Jack Bird (until end of 2017)

Leaving:

GOLD COAST TITANS

Lachlan Burr, Anthony Don, Kane Elgey, Nathan Friend, David Hala, David Mead, Daniel Mortimer, Kierran Moseley, Nathaniel Peteru, Leivaha Pulu, Matt Robinson, Ryan Simpkins, Matt Srama

New deal: Jeff Lynch (until end of 2017)

Leaving:

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Jamie Buhrer, Luke Burgess, Fabian Goodall, Nathan Green, Jayden Hodges, Isaac John, Liam Knight, Brenton Lawrence, Blake Leary, Jamie Lyon, Feleti Mateo, Tim Moltzen, Tony Satini, Josh Starling, Tom Symonds, Jorge Taufua, Brayden Wiliame

New deal:

Leaving:

MELBOURNE STORM

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Cheyse Blair, Kenny Bromwich, Cooper Cronk, Blake Green, Ben Hampton, Richard Kennar, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nicholls, Young Tonumaipea, Matt White

New deal: Tim Glasby (until the end of 2018)

Leaving:

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Charlie Gubb, Ben Henry, Mason Lino, Sione Lousi, Ken Maumalo, John Palavi, Jeff Robson, Henare Wells, Jonathan Wright

New deal:

Leaving:

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Krys Freeman, James McManus, Robbie Rochow, Nathan Ross, Tariq Sims, Jeremy Smith, Joseph Tapine, James Taylor

New deal:

Leaving:

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Javid Bowen, Lachlan Coote, Ben Hannant, Sam Hoare, Jahrome Hughes, Patrick Kaufusi, Rory Kostjasyn, Kane Linnett, Ethan Lowe, Tautau Moga, Justin O’Neill, James Tamou, Antonio Winterstein, Matthew Wright

New deal: Jake Granville (until end of 2018)

Leaving:

PARRAMATTA EELS

Daniel Alvaro, Mitch Cornish, Isaac De Gois, Bureta Faraimo, Michael Gordon, James Hasson, Luke Kelly, Cameron King, Kieren Moss, Cody Nelson, Corey Norman, Rory O’Brien, Junior Paulo, Nathan Peats, Kaysa Pritchard, Kelepi Tanginoa, Vai Toutai, Joseph Ualesi, Danny Wicks

New deal:

Leaving:

PENRITH PANTHERS

Sitaleki Akauola, George Jennings, Robert Jennings, Josh Mansour, Suaia Matagi, Andy Saunders, James Segeyaro, Chris Smith, Will Smith, Tupou Sopoaga, Elijah Taylor, Peter Wallace, Isaah Yeo

New deal:

Leaving:

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Nathan Brown, Paul Carter, Jason Clark, Luke Keary, Michael Oldfield, Cody Walker

New deal: Dane Nielsen (From Bradford until end of 2017)

Leaving: Tim Grant (Immediate release to Tigers until end of 2017), Chris Grevsmuhl (Panthers — 2 years)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Tom Carr, Ben Creagh, Matthew Dufty, Dylan Farrell, Jake Marketo, Benji Marshall, Mitch Rein, Joel Thompson



New deal:

Leaving:

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Mitchell Aubusson, Boyd Cordner, Tyler Cornish, Mitchell Frei, Jackson Hastings, Ian Henderson, Martin Kennedy, Isaac Liu, Sam Moa, Abraham Papalii, Omar Slaimankhel

New deal:

Leaving: Michael Jennings (Immediate release to Eels until end of 2019)

WESTS TIGERS

Josh Addo-Carr, Josh Aloiai, Jack Buchanan, Michael Chee-Kam, Manaia Cherrington, Josh Drinkwater, Asipeli Fine, Dallas Graham, Rod Griffin, Dene Halatau, Justin Hunt, Chris Lawrence, Jack Littlejohn, Billy McConnachie, Jesse Parahi, Chance Peni, Sauaso Sue

New deal:

Leaving: