Just when you thought the NRL player merry-go-round was coming to an end, it would appear there are more movements yet to be completed.
Fox Sports are reporting Corey Norman will be the next player to move in what has been a dramatic NRL off-season, with his destination rumoured to be the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The Dragons have been chasing a new marquee signing for 2019. They were reportedly going after Jarryd Hayne before fresh sexual assault allegations became known against the code-hopping superstar.
While the rumours surrounding Norman have been building for weeks, it’s said the Eels are happy for him to try and restart his career after some indifferent form in the blue and gold over the last 12 months.
According to James Hooper, the deal is set to be announced sometime in the next 48 hours with Norman’s agent working hard to get the deal done after an Eels recruitment meeting on Tuesday had Norman at the top of the agenda.
The Eels finished 2018 with the wooden spoon, and while Norman isn’t the reason why, Parramatta are likely to want a fresh look to the squad come Round 1 in 2019 when they take on the Penrith Panthers in their season opener.
The Dragons, on the other hand, are likely to be losing Gareth Widdop at the end of the 2019 season, who, by all reports, wants to cut his contract short and return to play rugby league in England.
Despite committing for 2019, Widdop needs to be replaced after that and the Dragons may see a three-year contract for Norman as the ideal alternative.
What would be intriguing to see is how the club deals with things in the short term, given it would likely mean Norman playing fullback and Matt Dufty left out of the best 17 ahead of the 2019 season.
The youngster is one of the game’s brightest young prospects, although there was speculation abound that he would leave the club following 2018.
Larry1950
Guest
Not sure why the dragons would want to buy into a troubled character who has a history of regularly going missing in games when the pressure is on. Saw enough of the party boy shenanigans at the Broncos to be happy he left & he's been in worse trouble since that. Dufty was great last season & was a sacrificial lamb when they had the inevitable slump after that flying start. Even if the eels pick up part of the Norman salary, can't see how they fit Norman in. Agree they must be paying a pittance in 2019 with most of his contract paid by the eels so his salary from the dragons bumps right up after Widdop bails, that's the only reasonable explanation. Hunt, Widdop plus a representative pack must eat up a heap of cash, surely 2 wingers going doesn't clear the balance sheet, makes no sense?
Sludge McFlurrey
Guest
McGregor was spotted at the Bondi market recently purchasing a rather large sombrero .
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'm waiting for the day when Manly are linked to anyone Yardsy, maybe a try scoring outside back who can run.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The spelling is a bit unfortunate I'm afraid
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
40/20, that first sentence is an absolute Pearler !
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It's a bit hard to asses players who are sucked into the form sapping black hole known as the The Parramatta Eels. The last half or five eight they signed since Kenny and Sterling who anyone remembers would be...................................? The list of players who have furthered their career by going there in the last 40 years is pretty slim so maybe a change of clubs will remove the spell from Norman. He doesn't look like the type of player to help drag a club out of the swamp though if a season goes a bit wobbly. Dufty becoming 10x better after a preseason might be true but plenty of players have a good year or two and that has been found to be their peak.
Big Daddy
Guest
Must agree. Played behind a pretty poor pack at parramatta. Also don't think Moses helped him all that much. At his best borderline SOO player. Should do well at dragons.
Scott Pryde
Expert
HY - his contract, as far as I know, runs to the end of next year.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I dunno, seems like the kind of signing that's about a year early if it is to replace Widdop. Spend a full season forcing him into the side just for him to have a completely different role next season, I honestly don't know what the plan is there
Kenw
Guest
Great for squad flexibility but it's hard to understand how they are putting the Top 17 together. The Hayne option was easy, he could jump into the empty wing spot in a full strength side and fill in anywhere from 1-6 as required during the year. Norman isn't going to be a winger, neither is Dufty. I'm a bit less precious about Dufty, must admit. Despite just seeing Slater make his bows, it's hard to ignore that the modern game doesn't generally favour fullbacks that are that light. He's got a lot of skills to improve (and probably some size to gain) to be a top-level fullback. Regardless, I couldn't make a case for him to be pushed aside in favour of Norman - too hot and cold. Was surprised to see he was just 27 though, would have guessed him to be 30 or so from how long he's been around. His best seasons could be just ahead.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I'd be running Dufty out onto the field myself. Known. Talented. Lots of guts. Add 10 kg and you have a handy player. Is he under contract with the Dragons at the moment? I've a feeling he might have come off contract at the end of last season and so far has nowhere to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Not sure at the moment Emcie - I think I might warm to it eventually, because Norman is talented and can play footy. But jeez, at the moment, all I'm thinking is that it better not be to replace Dufty, who I still think will be 10x better with another full pre-season under the belt and a few more kgs packed on in the gym. What do you reckon?
Battler
Roar Rookie
He was seriously average with Hunt when they were together at the Broncos. If they don't let Widdop run the show like he did last year then they'll comfortably drop out of the eight.
Emcie
Roar Guru
How do you feel about this Scotty?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
While Parra would be lumped with some of his salary, I can't imagine they can fit Norman under the cap and keep Widdop. Widdop and Hunt on massive money. Graham on big dollars, an entire representative pack, plus the overload in the halves, it doesn't add up. I think this discussion started shortly after Widdop announced he wants to go home. If he can secure a deal in the UK now (where he will be close to the top paid player), Dragons will let him go and Norman will come in. Meanwhile the Eels are obviously going to back up and comers Brown/Salmon to fill the halves role next to Moses.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I'm not so sure about this signing for Saints. Norman is a very good player when he wants to be but that hasn't been often enough. Parramatta have been shopping him around for good reason and form has been part of it. Here's hoping Norman applies himself to the task and keeps his off field life in order. One consolation is we didn't end up with the Hayne plane.
Neil
Guest
Norman to five-eight where he has spent time with hunt before and Widdop to fullback. Widdop was great playing fullback for England.