The Tigers haven't given up hope of playing finals football in 2017, hence their desire to move quickly on securing Cleary's services. However the club also needs to make significant decisions regarding their roster, which will be Cleary's first assignment when he returns to the NRL coaching ranks in the coming days. Aaron Woods, James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks have been waiting for the club to decide on who will be coach in 2018 and beyond before committing to the club. But now that the picture is about to become a whole lot clearer, the club will look to finalise the four as soon as possible. An announcement on Cleary's appointment could be made as early as Wednesday if the club and Cleary's management come to a quick agreement over the details of the deal.

There had been a suggestion the Bulldogs had been circling for Woods, however given the uncertainty surrounding their coaching position it seems unlikely the Australian prop would leave his beloved Tigers unless there were complications between he and Cleary. Despite last Sunday's loss to the Storm, Tigers officials remain confident about their aspirations for this season given a notable "improvement in effort" from the previous two weeks. Hayne keeps Titans guessing As the Titans await a decision from Jarryd Hayne in the next few weeks on whether he will take up an option to remain on the Gold Coast, the club will move to keep Ash Taylor away from a long list of clubs looking to throw a lucrative deal on the table at the end of the season. Titans management will meet with Taylor over the next three weeks to discuss extending his deal beyond the current 2018 expiration date. The Broncos are very keen on bringing him back to the club, however a couple of Sydney teams have also identified him as a priority target. As for Hayne, he is yet to make a decision on what he will do in 2018. The Parramatta Eels aren't rushing to bring the prodigal son home, but there is a suggestion he is keen to play in the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup in Japan. Given his brief stint for Fiji in sevens, he won't be able to represent Australia but Fiji remains an option. Hayne was close to playing in the French rugby competition before deciding to join the Titans, and could be enticed into doing so if he wants to play in the 2019 World Cup. Salary cap unrest

The NRL could be in for a huge backlash from clubs next season if they fine them for breaching the salary cap. There have been discussions between club powerbrokers over the past few weeks regarding frustrations over the time it is taking to work out the salary cap for 2018 and beyond. The clubs are still signing players and will revolt if they are a fined for breaching a salary cap they weren't aware of. It has left the NRL in a precarious position and on a collision course with the clubs. You can guarantee there will be plenty of arguments regarding this issue next season. Flanagan fans some flames The Parramatta players didn't see the funny side of Shane Flanagan admitting he made up lies about the Eels pack to motivate his own troops. Some of the Eels players deemed Flanagan's tactic as disrespectful. A coldie for a rookie, unless ... Panthers debutant Corey Harawira-Naera continued the club's newest ritual, skolling a can of beer after starring in Penrith's 40-0 win over Newcastle last Friday night. It's become a tradition at the foot of the mountains for the new kid on the block to down a cold one in front of teammates after the game – unless you're a Mormon – and in that case it's the beverage of your choice. Banana Oak, perhaps?

Smith on brink of history On Saturday night Cameron Smith has the chance to become the most successful player in the history of the game. A win against Penrith at AAMI Park would see Smith (339 NRL games) notch up 238 career wins and leapfrog Brisbane legend Darren Lockyer (237 wins from 355 games) as the man with the most victories to his name. One more ticket please for DWZ One of the NRL's genuine nice guys, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, is expecting his first child in August. The 21-year-old is one of 26 grandchildren on one side of the family. His child will be his 80-year-old grandmother's 25th great grandchild. No wonder the Panthers winger asks for more tickets to Panthers game than any of his teammates. Sponsor proves slippery