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COWS MAKE SMART CALL ON HESS

Round 20

It’s a master stroke by North Queensland.

Market Watch can reveal the Cowboys have secretly extended the contract of star backrower Coen Hess.

It was a clever and calculated investment in their talent and one already paying dividends.

Coen Hess during his Queensland Origin debut. Source: News Corp Australia

So secretive, the club opted not to make it common knowledge that Hess is in fact contracted until the end of season 2019.

The club last announced the retention of Hess in 2015 as a three-year-deal but with room in their salary cap in 2016, they decided to upgrade the 20-year-old and promote him into the top squad under the provision he extended a further season.

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The decision has proved a genius move by the recruitment staff with Hess’ name sure to have featured high on the list for rival clubs as a target for next season.

Instead rivals will have to wait until November 1 next year before they can enter into negotiations with the Queensland State of Origin representative.

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by player-manager Mario Tartak to discuss Benji Marshall, Sam Kasiano and who the NRL’s next super coach might be.

You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app.

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STORM GIANT TO STAY

Nelson Asofa-Solomona of the Storm takes a hit-up. Source: Getty Images

Melbourne are on the verge of re-signing giant front rower Nelson Asofa- Solomona for another two seasons.

With Asofa-Solomona on the verge of making his Test debut for New Zealand, you can understand the interest in the 21-year-old.

At 115 kilos and 200 centimetres tall, the Wellington product is a powerhouse.

It’s understood the Warriors made a play for Asofa-Solomona but the Storm are poised to extend his deal until the end of 2019.

THE TRUE DOLLAR VALUE OF EACH ORIGIN TEAM

THE RICHEST NRL DEALS IN HISTORY

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MCCRONE ON THE MOVE

St George Illawarra halfback Josh McCrone has confirmed reports that he could be headed for Toronto next season.

The ambitious Canadian club already has Fuifui Momoi on their books and keen to add more star power to their roster as they push they claims for Super League promotion.

While the 30-year-old denied he has signed a deal with the Wolfpack, he did confirm his interest in trying his hand overseas.

“There’s nothing done yet but it would be a massive opportunity and good to get over there and get a game,” McCrone told Market Watch.

With more than 150 NRL games to his name, the former Country Origin representative is versatile with his ability to play in the halves and at hooker.

Toronto are currently running around in the League One competition and set to advance to the second-tier English Championship which means they will be eligible for Super League promotion at the end of 2018.

Josh McCrone of the Dragons is tackled. Source: Getty Images

While a deal hasn’t been finalised, McCrone admits there’s an appeal in moving overseas.

“It would be good to go over there,” he said.

“I have a young family to look at too but it would be good to go and have a look.

“I’ll just keep playing some good footy and it’ll look after itself.”

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BRONCOS LAND ENGLISH SBW

Brisbane loves an Englishman with buzz.

Last year it was the man dubbed the ‘English Billy Slater’ in Greg Eden and next year it’s a man English commentators have likened to Sonny Bill Williams.

Andre Savelio of St Helens is tackled. Source: Getty Images

After revealing on Monday that clubs were lining up to sign Warrington backrower Andre Savelio, Market Watch can confirm Brisbane have won the race for his signature.

While Wests Tigers were also chasing hard, he’s decided to join the Broncos on a two-year-deal.

The 22-year-old made his first grade debut in 2014, spending four years in the Super League across St Helens and Warrington.

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ROOKIE RAIDER RE-SIGNS

He’s yet to make his first grade debut but Kato Ottio has kept loyal and agreed to remain in Canberra.

The flyer will snub interest from three rival clubs to remain at the Raiders for another two seasons.

While he’s yet to play in the NRL, the 23-year-old is a genuine finisher and ran riot in the NSW Cup last year before a knee injury ended his season.

Canberra flyer Kato Ottio during the Auckland Nines launch. Source: News Corp Australia

Ottio had a knee reconstruction last year after injuring his knee in the first final for the Mounties but impressed in what was a breakout year for the winger.

A product of Papua New Guinea, Ottio finished the year as the leading try scorer in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW in 2016.

Back on the field and getting back into his groove, Ottio will push for an NRL start if there’s an injury to the Raiders’ backline following the departure of Edrick Lee and Zac Santo.

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SHHHHH

Which Sydney club is keen on former Queensland Origin forward Jacob Lillyman?

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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, Jordan Kahu, Benji Marshall, 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), Anthony Milford (until 2021), Alex Glenn (until 2019)

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

New deal: Jack Wighton (until end of 2020), David Taylor (until end of 2017), Jordan Rapana (until end of 2019), Masivesi Dakuwaqa (From Fijian Sevens until end of 2017 with club option for 2018), Joey Leilua (extended until 2020), Bill Cullen (mid-season from CQ Capras until end of 2017), Ricky Stuart (extended until 2020)

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), Jordan Turner (released to Huddersfield mid-season until 2020), Zac Santo (Warriors mid-season until end of 2018)

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Craig Garvey, Michael Lichaa, Tyrone Phillips, Chase Stanley

New deal: Aiden Tolman (until 2020), Des Hasler (until end of 2019), Danny Fualalo (until 2019), Renouf To’omaga (until 2020), Will Hopoate (until 2020), Marcelo Montoya (until 2020), Adam Elliott (until 2020), Kerrod Holland (2020), Reimis Smith (2019)

Leaving: Lloyd Perrett (Immediate release to Manly until 2019), Josh Reynolds (Tigers until 2021)

CRONULLA SHARKS

Gerard Beale, Paul Gallen, Chris Heighington, Jeremy Latimore, Luke Lewis, 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), Andrew Fifita (until 2022)

Leaving: Ben Barba (rugby immediately), Jack Bird (Broncos until 2020 with player option for 2021), Fa’amanu Brown (Bulldogs until 2019), Manaia Cherrington (released immediately to Warriors until 2018), Jordan Drew (immediate to Blackhawks), Daniel Mortimer (immediate release to Leigh)

GOLD COAST TITANS

Agnatius Paasi, Nathan Peats, Eddy Pettybourne, 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), Jarryd Hayne (until 2018), Karl Lawton (until 2020)

Leaving: David Shillington (retired immediately), Leivaha Pulu (to Warriors until 2020), 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), Nate Myles (Storm mid-season release)

MELBOURNE STORM

Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Slade Griffin, Jeremy Hawkins, 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), Will Chambers (until 2020), Ryley Jacks (until 2018)

Leaving: Tohu Harris (Warriors at end of season until 2021), Jordan McLean (Cowboys until 2020), Cooper Cronk (released at the end of the season), Dean Britt (Rabbitohs until 2019), Jesse Arthars (Rabbitohs until 2019)

WARRIORS

Matthew Allwood, Charlie Gubb, Ryan Hoffman, Jacob Lillyman, Ofahiki Ogden, Nathaniel Roache, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete

New deal: Shuan Johnson (until 2019), James Gavet (until end of 2019), Ligi Sao (until end of 2019), Ato Hingano (until 2020), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (2019), Mason Lino (2019), Blake Ayshford (2019), Patrick Sipley (until 2018)

Leaving: Ben Matulino (Tigers until 2020), Kieran Foran (Bulldogs until 2020), Tuimoala Lolohea (Tigers mid-season until 2019), Erin Clark (released to Raiders until 2019), Toafofoa Sipley (Sea Eagles until 2019)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

David Bhana, Brendan Elliot, Jaelen Feeney, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 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), Nick Meaney (until 2018)

Leaving: Jake Mamo (Immediate release to released to Huddersfield), Korbin Sims (Immediate release to Brisbane until end of 2018), Dane Gagai (Rabbitohs until end of 2021)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Shaun Hudson, Corey Jensen, Patrick Kaufusi, Kyle Laybutt, Gideon Mosby-Gela, Ben Spina, Ray Thompson

New deal: Gavin Cooper (until end of 2019), Jason Taumalolo (until end of 2027), Matthew Scott (until end of 2019), Carlin Anderson (from Townsville until end of 2018), Kyle Feldt (until end of 2020), John Asiata (until end of 2020), Jake Clifford (until 2019), Johnathan Thurston (until 2018), Scott Bolton (until 2019)

Leaving: Kalyn Ponga (Knights at end of season until 2022)

PARRAMATTA EELS

Kirisome Auva’a, Bureta Faraimo, John Folau, David Gower, 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 end of 2020), James Hasson (immediate release to Salford), Jamal Fogarty (released to Titans)

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), Corey Harawira-Naera (until 2020)

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), Te Maire Martin (immediate release to Cowboys until 2019), Sami Langi (released), Peta Hiku (released)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Anthony Cherrington, Brad Deitz, Damon Goolagong, Jack Gosiewski, Aaron Gray, Brett Greinke, 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), Alex Johnston (until 2020)

Leaving: Bryson Goodwin (Super League at end of season)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Levi Dodd, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Yaw Kiti Glymin, Siliva Havili, Jacob Hind, Drew Hutchison, Chris Lewis, Kurt Mann, Jake Marketo, Mose Masoe, Will Matthews, Tyrone McCarthy, Josh McCrone, Jason Nightingale, Shaun Nona

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), Gareth Widdop (until 2021), Paul Vaughan (extension until 2021), Tim Lafai (until 2020), Paul McGregor (until 2019)

Leaving: Russell Packer (Tigers until 2021), Josh Dugan (Sharks until 2021), Taane Milne (Tigers until 2019 with option)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Paki Afu, Mitch Cornish, Blake Ferguson, Michael Gordon, Brenden Santi, Chris Smith, 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), Zane Tetevano (until 2018)

Leaving: Jackson Hastings (Immediate release to Manly until 2018), Dale Copley (Released to Titans until end of 2018), Kane Evans (Eels until 2020), Paul Carter (released), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (released to Knights until 2019), Aidan Guerra (Knights until 2020)

WESTS TIGERS

Joel Edwards, Matt Eisenhuth, Tim Grant, Watson Heleta, Jamal Idris, Jack Littlejohn, Wesley Lolo, Kyle Lovett, Kevin Naiqama, Bayley Sironen

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), Mahe Fonua (Hull FC until 2019), Jacob Liddle (extension until 2019), Corey Thompson (until 2019), Matt McIlwrick (until 2019)

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), Aaron Woods (Bulldogs until 2021), James Tedesco (Roosters until 2021), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm until 2020), Mitchell Moses (immediate release to Eels until 2019), Jordan Rankin (immediate release to Huddersfield), Matt Ballin (retired immediately)