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TUI THE TIGER

Round 19

Wests Tigers are making a play for Tui Lolohea to replace James Tedesco at fullback next season.

Market Watch can reveal they’re preparing to table him a two-and-a-half-year deal, which if the Warriors release him before June 30, would see him join the club this season.



PRIVATE RYAN: LOLOHEA SUITORS LINE UP

As it stands, Stephen Kearney has given the utility permission to speak to rivals for 2018 but it’s understood the Warriors would consider an early release if his deal is dependent on a mid-year move.

If Lolohea can secure an early release, it’s expected he would move into the halves for the rest of the year, where he would partner Luke Brooks.

That would allow Mitchell Moses to finally secure his release to join Parramatta.

Tuimoala Lolohea of the Warriors is tackled. Source: Getty Images

Any clarity around this situation is still at least a week away, with Lolohea in camp with the Tongan Test team.

Having unsuccessfully made a play to get Connor Watson out of his deal at the Roosters, the Tigers have now made Lolohea the priority and are likely to set up a meeting with the player next week.

Tigers coach Ivan Cleary is yet to meet Lolohea, with the 22-year-old just a youngster in their junior system during Cleary’s time at the Warriors.

While a starting position is appealing for the New Zealand international, the other thing in the Tigers’ favour is the addition of Ben Matulino to their squad next season.

Lolohea and Matulino are close friends and it’s thought that friendship will help make the move across the ditch easier.





Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover chat to Newcastle coach Nathan Brown about his plans for the future including key recruitment targets.





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SHARKS EYE PANTHER

Penrith rookie Corey Harawira-Naera is on Cronulla’s radar.

Market Watch can reveal the Sharks are keen on luring the 21-year-old from the foot of the mountains and to the Sharks next season.

Harawira-Naera made his NRL debut in round four, has featured in five games so far this season with three tries, five line breaks and 18 tackle busts.

Corey Harawira-Naera of the Panthers celebrates. Source: Getty Images

Understandably the Panthers want to keep him and one thing working in their favour is his living situation.

Harawira-Nera lives with several of his teammates at Panthers House which is run by former player Shane Elford and his wife.

The Panthers House provides accommodation for players not from Sydney — not only does it give them a place to call home but the Elfords also provide freshly cooked meals for the players.

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TIGERS SIGN ANOTHER HALF

First it was Luke Brooks, then Josh Reynolds … now an exciting kid by the name of Tyson Gamble.

The Wests Tigers aren’t slowing down when it comes to signing halves.

While Brooks and Reynolds are the starting combination for next season, Market Watch can reveal the Tigers have signed Queensland Cup ace Gamble to play understudy to the duo in 2018.

WATCH GAMBLE IN ACTION IN THE VIDEO BELOW







“This is a fantastic opportunity for Tyson with a club on the way up,” Liam Pride from Insight Sports management told Market Watch.

“Tyson has a huge future ahead of him in the NRL and he is extremely excited to learn and develop under Ivan Cleary.”

Still only 20, Gamble has inked a two-year-deal which sees him leave Brisbane feeder side Redcliffe.

Weighing in at 94kg and standing 188cm, Gamble doesn’t shy away from taking on the line and possesses a pretty handy short kicking game.











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STAYING IN THE STABLE



He may have been overlooked for the Kiwi Test team but we’re hearing Alex Glenn is about to finally put pen to paper on a new deal with the Broncos.

The 28-year-old is expected to sign on for another two years.

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REIN ROLLS THE DICE

For the second time in as many years, a hefty asking price has cost Mitch Rein.

Last season he was seeking a substantial pay rise from St George Illawarra who baulked at the price.

Ultimately they decided not to re-sign the No.9 and were able to snare Cameron McInnes from South Sydney.

That led Rein to Penrith where he has been running around in reserve grade and, while his form has been superb, he hasn’t been able to crack the first grade side.

Panthers hooker Mitch Rein in action. Source: News Corp Australia

His form didn’t go unnoticed by Parramatta but their interest in the rake didn’t last long, with Rein asking for $300,000 a-season for his services.

The Eels are extremely happy with how current hooker Kaysa Pritchard is developing into an 80-minute player but with only 32 NRL games currently to his name, he could use a spell throughout the season.

With Isaac De Gois sidelined indefinitely due to concussion, the Eels will look to Cameron King if Pritchard’s body needs a break.

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BIRD SIGNED AND SEALED

Just when will Brisbane formally announce the signing of Jack Bird?

Cronulla announced the Bird to Broncos deal a few weeks back but the reality is the contract was only lodged with the NRL on Friday.

Once the cooling off period has expired, the Broncos can finally formally announce the signing.

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SHHHHH

Joe Ofahengaue of Brisbane. Source: News Corp Australia

We’re hearing Brisbane prop Joe Ofahengaue could be headed to Sydney.

The 21 year-old has had limited time in the top grade this season and rivals are circling the off-contract Tongan international.

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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, Scott Sorensen

New deal: David Taylor (until end of 2017), Jordan Rapana (until end of 2019)

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

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

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, Kieran Foran, 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)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

David Bhana, Brendan Elliot, Jaelen Feeney, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Dane Gagai, 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 2020)

PENRITH PANTHERS

Sitaleki Akauola, Sione Katoa, Darren Nicholls, Michael Oldfield

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, Gareth Widdop

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)

Leaving:

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Paki Afu, Paul Carter, Mitch Cornish, Kane Evans, 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)

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, James Tedesco, Aaron Woods

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)

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