Jun 3rd, 2019

Jun 3rd, 2019

Michael Maguire is beginning a clean-out of the Wests Tigers, with international forwards Ben Matulino, Chris McQueen, Russell Packer and Elijah Taylor all being shopped around for next season.

Maguire took on the coaching job at the Tigers late this season and had little say over the club’s roster.

The Tigers have won just five of their 11 games and Maguire wants to make changes to strengthen the pack for 2020.

Matulino, McQueen and Taylor have been offered to English clubs, while Packer can’t make the Tigers’ top side and may even move before June 30.

Maguire is on the lookout for more dynamic forwards for next season and if he can offload the quartet of big names, will have money to spend within the salary cap.

Russell Packer. (AAP)

DRAGONS EYE OFF BULLDOG

The Dragons are keen to sign Bulldogs forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner before the June 30 transfer deadline.

The club has money to spend following the suspension of Jack de Belin and has targeted Faitala-Mariner as the man to fill the breach.

The Kiwi-born forward has been in and out of the Bulldogs’ team this season and wants to leave Belmore to secure a regular top grade spot.

On his day, Faitala-Mariner is a useful impact forward who could add to the Dragons’ attacking arsenal.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner. (AAP)

ROBERTS SIGNING TIMELY FOR SOUTHS

James Roberts’ arrival back at Redfern couldn’t have been better timed.

Boom young centre Braidon Burns was due to return from a hamstring injury this weekend but broke down at training recently and could be out for at least another three to four weeks.

That would have left the Rabbitohs in all sorts of trouble out wide in the crucial mid-season rounds, but the experienced Roberts should step straight in against the improved Newcastle on Friday night.

Roberts began his career at Souths in 2011 - but was booted out of the club for disciplinary breaches the following year.

James Roberts. (AAP)

ONLY PROBLEM WITH BANKWEST

Parramatta have now played four games at Bankwest Stadium and the feedback has been great on all aspects of the NRL’s newest venue - except one.

Several players - from both the Eels and their opponents - have told me that the surface is treacherously slippery, especially at night.

With winter starting this week, that could develop into a real concern, affecting ball running and handling in the cold months to come.