NRL NRL General Recruitment Thread

[Noitall]

Jonah Pezet has inked a long-term deal to remain at the Storm but it comes with a strict clause which could allow him to exit the club should Jahrome Hughes extend his time at Melbourne.

Pezet was chased heavily by Newcastle who put forward a monster $2.5 million four year bid but he has opted to stay at the Storm after agreeing to a four-year contract extension. His deal will expire at the end of 2029 however Pezet may be free to leave earlier.

Hughes is contracted to Melbourne until the end of 2026. Should he agree to a deal beyond that period then Pezet is an immediate free agent. Hughes will be 32 in 2026 while Pezet will be just 23.

The contract safeguards both Pezet and the Storm. It means Pezet will not be stuck behind Hughes and Cameron Munster for an extended period while the Storm have a ready-made replacement should Hughes leave the club.

Pezet has shown his willingness to be patient to learn off one of the game’s elite halves pairing. However, there is also an understanding that Pezet could be loaned out in 2026 to either an NRL or Super League for one season should he and Melbourne believe that his development would be better suited by playing regular first grade elsewhere.

It is a similar blueprint that the Storm used with Harry Grant who was stuck behind Immortal-in-waiting Cameron Smith.

Pezet knocked back a contract extension with the Storm last month before the two parties were able to make an agreement.

The Knights took Pezet out for an intimate dinner which was also attended by Newcastle captain and superstar Kalyn Ponga. Pezet is making his comeback from a knee reconstruction having played in Melbourne’s opening three games this year.

A move to Newcastle would have represented a homecoming of sorts for Pezet.

He was a member of Newcastle’s junior representative teams from 2018 until the end of the 2020 season, playing Harold Matthews and SG Ball for the club. He then moved to the Melbourne Storm

 

[Noitall]

Jayden Sullivan has undergone a medical assessment at South Sydney with the Tigers half potentially on the move before the end of the year.

It is understood that Sullivan underwent a medical with South Sydney on Friday with the Rabbitohs keen on adding him into their roster from next season.

But on Saturday, Sullivan was back at the Tigers with the 23-year-old joining the rest of the squad for a fitness session at Concord Oval and showed no signs of a player heading for the exit.

The move will now depend on the Tigers and Rabbitohs reaching an agreement surrounding how much the Tigers are willing to chip in for Sullivan to play elsewhere.

Sullivan is an eye-watering contract worth $700,000 for the next three seasons. That $2.1 million is burning a hole in the Tigers salary cap.

This masthead has reported that the Tigers would be willing to give Sullivan a $900,000 handshake to walk away from the club.

He had been earmarked as a potential starting halfback when he was signed at the Tigers from St George Illawarra for the 2024 season.

Sullivan played just nine games this year and has fallen behind Lachie Galvin, Latu Fainu and new superstar recruit Jarome Luai in competition for the Tigers starting halves spot.



The Rabbitohs are willing to take Sullivan on but for a significantly reduced rate. It remains to be seen how much the Tigers are willing to chip in.



He has rejected multiple interest from Super League clubs and by all reports has impressed at Tigers training since returning this year.

South Sydney have been on the lookout to add some depth to their halves after granting Lachie Ilias a release to join St George Illawarra.

Sullivan might not be the only contracted Tiger on the move before the year ends.

John Bateman, who too was close to joining South Sydney, is on the brink of joining the Cowboys after an unhappy season at the Tigers.

 

[WA Warrior]

Jayden Sullivan has undergone a medical assessment at South Sydney with the Tigers half potentially on the move before the end of the year.

It is understood that Sullivan underwent a medical with South Sydney on Friday with the Rabbitohs keen on adding him into their roster from next season.

But on Saturday, Sullivan was back at the Tigers with the 23-year-old joining the rest of the squad for a fitness session at Concord Oval and showed no signs of a player heading for the exit.

The move will now depend on the Tigers and Rabbitohs reaching an agreement surrounding how much the Tigers are willing to chip in for Sullivan to play elsewhere.

Sullivan is an eye-watering contract worth $700,000 for the next three seasons. That $2.1 million is burning a hole in the Tigers salary cap.

This masthead has reported that the Tigers would be willing to give Sullivan a $900,000 handshake to walk away from the club.

He had been earmarked as a potential starting halfback when he was signed at the Tigers from St George Illawarra for the 2024 season.

Sullivan played just nine games this year and has fallen behind Lachie Galvin, Latu Fainu and new superstar recruit Jarome Luai in competition for the Tigers starting halves spot.



The Rabbitohs are willing to take Sullivan on but for a significantly reduced rate. It remains to be seen how much the Tigers are willing to chip in.



He has rejected multiple interest from Super League clubs and by all reports has impressed at Tigers training since returning this year.

South Sydney have been on the lookout to add some depth to their halves after granting Lachie Ilias a release to join St George Illawarra.

Sullivan might not be the only contracted Tiger on the move before the year ends.

John Bateman, who too was close to joining South Sydney, is on the brink of joining the Cowboys after an unhappy season at the Tigers.

Whoever signed Sullivan to that Contract is surely blacklisted from all the clubs for incompetence.

 

[Noitall]

Whoever signed Sullivan to that Contract is surely blacklisted from all the clubs for incompetence.

Sounded like there was a good chance Jock Madden was heading there. Wonder if we could be an option? Perhaps super league?

 

[WA Warrior]

Sounded like there was a good chance Jock Madden was heading there. Wonder if we could be an option? Perhaps super league?

Yeah I heard the Mole say that as well re Madden to the Rabbits.
But we know his track record lol

 

[Noitall]

SAINT

Jarome Luai showing his intent by reporting to Wests Tigers training earlier than expected. He was on the tools this week despite not being due back to training until next Saturday. Luai’s holds the key to the Tigers hopes next season.

SPOTTED

Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam visiting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and PNG Tourism Minister Belden Namah at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney recently.

BUNNIES DUNK ON LODGE

Tallis Duncan is on the verge of inking a multi-year extension to remain at South Sydney but one player who is unlikely to join the club next year is Matt Lodge.

The Rabbitohs are close to securing Duncan on a two year deal when his current contract expires at the end of next year. The 22-year-old played 20 games for the Rabbitohs this year. While Duncan looks set to find his long-term home, the Rabbitohs have closed the door on the prospect of securing Lodge.

Lodge had been linked to the club along with John Bateman.

Bateman’s decision to reject the Rabbitohs to most likely sign with North Queensland could have opened the door for Lodge but that does not seem to be the case.

Jock Madden – who was told he is free to leave the Broncos – won’t be at the Rabbitohs despite a mooted move.

TRUTH BEHIND MAY MOVE

Benji Marshall’s pitch to try and sign Terrell May from the Roosters was easy – and according to May it was a conversation like nothing he had with a coach before.

It was also Marshall, not Jarome Luai, who was pivotal in getting him to the Tigers.

May has made plenty of headlines since his surprising split from the Roosters.

While he was naturally disappointed at the way he exited the club, May said it was an opening conversation with Marshall which helped convince him that the Tigers is where he should be.

“He just told me he was going to put his family first like I do. Family first for me, then footy. It was amazing to hear a coach say that, it’s refreshing,” May said.

“I’ve never heard a coach say that before. I’m keen to play under Benji and I’m going do everything I can and for Benji to pay them back.

“Benji’s amazing, I had him when I was first here. He looked after me as a younger guy and I want to pay him back because he’s the reason I came here, that meeting I had with him.

“It was just amazing to see someone put their family before footy.

“Family first for me, then footy. It was amazing to hear a coach say that, it’s refreshing.

“I’ve never heard a coach say that before. I’m keen to play under Benji and I’m going do everything I can and for Benji to pay them back.”

May was told of the news when in camp with Samoa alongside fellow Tigers recruit Luai. While May and Luai are close, the prop played down the impact Luai had on his signing.

“I grew up with Romey,” May said of Luai.

“I’ve known him since I was like six years old. A lot of people have speculated that I came here because of him. He was a little bit in my ear but I came because I wanted to come.

“He’s blossomed heaps. I remember him always being immature and just that guy that mocks everyone but he’s really taken on his role of leadership.

“It’s surprising to see because I’ve known him as that mocking, young, immature dude. It’s good to see him like this now and hopefully he can prove to all the young boys.”

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Whoever signed Sullivan to that Contract is surely blacklisted from all the clubs for incompetence.

Tigers have been poor recently but I don't believe that for a second.
I think it was pretty common knowledge he was on 500k at the Dragons but on the outter there, both Doggies and Tigers were interested it sounds like, but no way would he have got an upgrade on that Dragons contract imo, which was already crazy high.

Even the Tigers can't be that ridiculous, surely!

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Valynce Te Whare off to Japanese Rugby.

Grand finalist makes shock move to Japanese rugby union

He has signed for the 2024-25 season.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[Inruin]

 

[Blain]

Old mate Isaac Moses hooking his client Todd Payton up there. I think it's a bad signing, this guy has more than proven he's a shit guy to have at a club, and really he hasn't been what he was for the Raiders for years now. Weird signing, but that's Moses doing his thing.

 

[cock_o]

Old mate Isaac Moses hooking his client Todd Payton up there. I think it's a bad signing, this guy has more than proven he's a shit guy to have at a club, and really he hasn't been what he was for the Raiders for years now. Weird signing, but that's Moses doing his thing.

Not bad tho if they only paying $300,000 and the Tigers paying the rest.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I still think we have a chance

Club pulls out of star's deal with 'dark horse' revealed

The Mole scoops

www.nine.com.au

 

[Playdaball]

HA HA , no chance. Maybe we should target the brother?

 

[Noitall]

Wests Tigers part ways with Jayden Sullivan

He has $2.1 million remaining on his contract.

www.zerotackle.com

Jayden Sullivan gone to rabbits on an odd contract. For 2 years but he has the option to return to tigers in 2026. Sounds a bit like Liam Knight might be headed to rabbits too, and a bit of a rumour they keeping money to sign Brandon Smith later in the year

 

[Noitall]

Sounds very much like Leo Thompson is headed to raiders as was the initial speculation. He and Tapine going to be a strong front row pairing

 

[WA Warrior]

Sounds very much like Leo Thompson is headed to raiders as was the initial speculation. He and Tapine going to be a strong front row pairing

I just don’t get Sticky, he neglects his spine.
Big money for Thompson that you would think is Papas money but they need a major upgrade in the hooker and FB department .

 

[Noitall]

I just don’t get Sticky, he neglects his spine.
Big money for Thompson that you would think is Papas money but they need a major upgrade in the hooker and FB department .

Yeah I agree, especially hooker. Looking at their squad, they’ve got a few but don’t know much about them? Have seen Levi and Starling, but a couple of young ones too. They rate Chevy Stewart as a fullback in waiting, don’t mind Kaeo Weekes either though. Them, eels and rabbits fell away after getting so close in grand finals

 

[Wrighty]

I just don’t get Sticky, he neglects his spine.
Big money for Thompson that you would think is Papas money but they need a major upgrade in the hooker and FB department .

I think Hooker is an important position. But of the spine I think it is least important. I think Ricky thinks this too and spends his cap elsewhere. Different teams have different views. Le Rooster seem hell bent on getting a premium level hooker. Storm have had Smith followed by Grant. Panthers won the premiership with the non descript Mitch Kenny at Hooker. So I think that means Ivan Cleary is in Ricky's camp as well. Warriors have a bob each way with Egan ranked around 9th or 10 amongst hookers and investing in Sam Healy quite wisely as Egan may find one of these head knocks career ending eventually as he is always getting himself concussed. Egan turns 28 in March 2025 - he won't make it much past 30 the way he is going.

 

[WA Warrior]

I think Hooker is an important position. But of the spine I think it is least important. I think Ricky thinks this too and spends his cap elsewhere. Different teams have different views. Le Rooster seem hell bent on getting a premium level hooker. Storm have had Smith followed by Grant. Panthers won the premiership with the non descript Mitch Kenny at Hooker. So I think that means Ivan Cleary is in Ricky's camp as well. Warriors have a bob each way with Egan ranked around 9th or 10 amongst hookers and investing in Sam Healy quite wisely as Egan may find one of these head knocks career ending eventually as he is always getting himself concussed. Egan turns 28 in March 2025 - he won't make it much past 30 the way he is going.

Yeah I just think Sticky is always forward pack heavy when it comes to his salary cap.
Apart from Fogarty and Timoko their backline is either based on potential or pretty ordinary 1st graders.
I love it as a Warriors man to be honest.

 

[Noitall]

I think Hooker is an important position. But of the spine I think it is least important. I think Ricky thinks this too and spends his cap elsewhere. Different teams have different views. Le Rooster seem hell bent on getting a premium level hooker. Storm have had Smith followed by Grant. Panthers won the premiership with the non descript Mitch Kenny at Hooker. So I think that means Ivan Cleary is in Ricky's camp as well. Warriors have a bob each way with Egan ranked around 9th or 10 amongst hookers and investing in Sam Healy quite wisely as Egan may find one of these head knocks career ending eventually as he is always getting himself concussed. Egan turns 28 in March 2025 - he won't make it much past 30 the way he is going.

Koriasau was hugely important to the panthers initial rise to the top, was the reason we ended up with Egan. Kenny has become a hearty player too but the top halves pairing in the comp means they can get by with a decent dummy half. Raiders parted ways with Josh Hodgson at a good time, but haven’t looked the same since they had him and Sezer in their spine and made the grand final. If there’s anything that raiders are strong in, it’s forwards and English imports