NRL PLAYER MOVEMENT LOWDOWN – WHO’S GOING WHERE IN 2017
CONFIRMED
Mitchell Moses (West Tigers to Parramatta): Signed for next year and could be in new colours within weeks if granted a release.
Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs to Wests Tigers): Will replace Moses in the Tigers’s halves. Exits Canterbury before facing being squeezed out as the club turns to the player market.
Ben Hunt (Brisbane to St George Illawarra): Turbo-charged the signing merry-go-round by signing a five-year contract, reportedly worth around $1 million a year.
Jack Bird (Cronulla to Brisbane): The premiership star rejected Newcastle’s rich advances to accept a surprise three-year deal with Wayne Bennett and the Broncos.
Kalyn Ponga (North Queensland to Newcastle): Two games with the Cowboys were enough to convince the Knights to sign the teenage utility back on a big-money five-year deal.
EXPECTED
Kieran Foran: The Warriors playmaker is on a one-year deal and has been heavily linked to a reunion with former coach Des Halser at the Bulldogs.
Aaron Woods: Failed to agree to terms with the Tigers, who pulled the captain’s contract offer. He is believed to have agreed to terms with Canterbury.
James Tedesco: In the same boat as Tigers teammate Woods. The Tigers fullback is unlikely resist the chance to play with a Sydney Roosters side set to threaten for the premiership in the next two years.
STAYING PUT
Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra): Will remain in Wollongong until the end of 2021 after finding form following a tough 2016.
Chad Townsend (Cronulla): An important part of last year’s premiership, halffback Townsend signed a two-year deal last week.
Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland): Off the market for a decade after signing the longest contract in NRL history.
Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers): Bucked the trend of off-contract Tigers stars wanting to leave. The 22-year-old halfback will partner newcomer Reynolds in guiding the side for the next two years.
Matt Scott (North Queensland): Was on Newcastle’s radar before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The veteran Test prop will finish a one-club player with his new two-year deal.
OFF-CONTRACT AND UNDECIDED
Jarryd Hayne: The code-hopping star is being pressured to decide quickly if he’ll utilise an option in his Gold Coast contract or play out the final year. Understood to be interested in re-joining Parramatta.
Cooper Cronk: Off to Sydney – as a player or retiree – at season’s end after a decorated career with Melbourne.
Josh Dugan: Believed to chasing $1 million a year but it’s uncertain if a clear suitor has emerged for the St George Illawarra star.
Anthony Milford: Expected to re-sign with Brisbane.
Shaun Johnson: Was being looked at by the Tigers before they signed Reynolds, and the Warriors halfback is likely to stay put.
