It may be December but the movement will continue through the month and well into January as NRL teams finalise their 2022 rosters. And the hot topic among recruitment chiefs at the moment is around the backline.
Parramatta are eyeing off the signature of winger Bailey Simonsson but The Roar understands the Wests Tigers have also mentioned his name.
Simonsson’s move to Sydney hinges on whether Nick Cotric leaves the Bulldogs. The Green Machine are keen on bringing him home. That move is dependent on how much the Bulldogs are willing to pay of Cotric’s hefty salary.
Should the Raiders reunion not eventuate, look for the Wests Tigers to enter the mix. While the Eels recently signed former Bulldogs forward Ofahiki Ogden, they’re still in the market for new cattle. The retirement of Keegan Hipgrave means they have two spots to fill.
Flyer Isaac Lumelume has left Melbourne to link with the Bulldogs, citing a move to Sydney for family reasons. While Newcastle is yet to announce Tex Hoy will be remaining in the Hunter for 2022 on a reduced deal.
And then there’s the train and trial contenders.
While the Warriors have secured versatile Brisbane back Jesse Arthars for the 2022 season on loan, Ash Taylor trials for his future with the club, as does Jackson Frei, a former Rooster who made his NRL debut for the Warriors last year.
James Roberts is on a train and trial deal with the Wests Tigers, while the Broncos have former Titan and Warriors second-rower Leivaha Pulu training along with former Titans five-eighth Tyrone Roberts.
Woods’ Dragons option
Aaron Woods’ St George Illawarra contract comes with a one-year option. It was announced as a 12-month contract some months ago, but Woods revealed on the Bloke In A Bar podcast that he needs to “play a certain amount of games” in order to trigger the option for 2023.
Always an interesting chat, Woods gave the podcast an insight into how new Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon handled the job of cutting the former Blues forward.
(Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
“A few of us got told by Fitzy, probably around round 10 that we weren’t part of the plans. At least he told us. We had plenty of time to find some stuff (other options),” Woods said.
“Myself, Duges (Josh Dugan) and Shauny Johnson. At the time it was hard to take because I sort of, I love the club – Cronulla. It’s a great place, community and everyone around there, they bring you in.
“No one crosses the bridge down there, so they all love ya… I thought I’d made a home down there and then you’re told that you’re not apart of the plans.
“I honestly didn’t even think about finding a club. I just wanted to play footy.”
Woods said his goal at the Dragons was simple: “to get a starting spot first. We’ve got some really good middles there.”
Hampton hamstrung
Cowboys utility Ben Hampton is racing the clock to be fit for round one. He picked up a serious hamstring injury at training with the muscle only partially attached. Should he fail to start the year, the Cowboys have a handy reserve in their back-pocket with Robert Lui joining feeder team Townsville Blackhawks following a six-year stint in England.
Contract extensions
There’s been a bit of movement in the way of contracts in the past week.
Warriors hooker Wayde Egan signed a contract extension which will see him remain at the club until the end of 2024. Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey signed a long-term extension which will see him remain in Sharks colours until at least the end of the 2026 season. But one player who is without a deal is Anthony Miflord after the NRL refused to register his contract following an off-field incident. The NRL won’t consider registering his deal with Souths until criminal proceedings against Milford have been completed.
Bad boys head overseas
Catalans have confirmed the signing of controversial utility Tyrone May on a one-year deal. May was sacked from Penrith following the 2021 premiership following an insensitive social media post.
Meanwhile, Tim Lafai has joined Salford. The Samoa international has signed a one-year deal.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Bird at 14? He can cover a lot of positions.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Yes definitely but I can't see De Belin at prop, not when we have Burgess, Lawrie, Molo, Kerr and Woods. Bird may be the odd one out I'm struggling to find a spot for him
Fred
Guest
Catalans seem to ONLY be interested in Australians if they are scandal-ridden haha. Greg Bird, Todd Carney, Kenny Edwards, Israel Folau, Dave Taylor, now Dylan Napa and Tyrone May. The people of Perpignan must have thought James Maloney was some kind of Australian Mother Theresa when he appeared on the scene.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
If Bird is at lock as has been reported, De Belin will also be in the front row rotation. Sua and Sims will be the starting second rowers. Overall it's a much better pack than last year.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Lawrie, Burgess and Molo will likely be ahead of Woods in the pecking order next year. I wonder how many games he has to play to activate the clause?
Don
Roar Rookie
I don’t think you’ve got a strong argument there. Brodie Croft and Riley Jacks were infinitely better footballers under Bellamy. Whether it’s Bellamy, the Bellamy system, the Melbourne recruitment, or the sum of those, there’s no arguing that those 2 were made better players under Bellamy’s coaching. Not sure how Cooper Johns comes into this? He’s played 7 games and never played first grade elsewhere so who’s saying he’s not a better player under Bellamy? And Billy Walters only played 2 games in Melbourne.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Watched Woodsy on that interview. Showed surprising clarity and spoke well enough to be given a leadership role with his new club. Interesting to hear him talk of those rivals who he despised on field but were totally different off it. And most importantly the high regard he has for Moylan ‘s ability. Bloke in a Bar, Kempy and Finchy, is just so much better than the trashy YKTR.
Paul
Roar Guru
nah, probably not Flanagan and definitely not Mary...... or Madge....... or any other ex-Dragons player turned coach......... or Des.
Tony
Roar Guru
Or anyone else really
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Assuming Milford manages to clear his name and gets his contract registered by the NRL I think Milford will play a super-sub role with Lachlan Ilias holding down the HB position. At least Ilias has been given the nod to start the season with Blake Taaffe retaining the FB role until Latrell is available. If he goes well there may be a chance Latrell might return at left centre which would be best for all concerned IMO.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
My wife told me I was getting lucky tonight, but I'm still waiting. No, I tell a lie. We just had Nando's home delivery. Do you think that was what she was talking about mighty? :silly:
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
"McInnes 13". Yep, makes a lot of sense. "Liddle isn’t a first grader". Maybe not, or maybe just not a good fit (at Wests/that team structure). I'd be happy to pick him up cheap as a first reserve hooker (to I don't know who at the Eels as yet) to give him a crack.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I don't get the Napa signing at all. They don't need any more middle forwards and he'll probably keep a local youngster out of the team. Catalans is one of the better run clubs in the SL. Bernard Guasch has a bit to do with their financial position, plus the expanded stadium capacity and doing well the last 3-4 seasons. Plenty of money's come off the books recently with Jimmy Maloney retiring and Remi Casty moving on. Smart signings, like Matt Whitley and Mike McMeeken.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I think you got/are getting lucky. I rate Milford and Walker, but not as a halves combo. I think with that combo you'd have some seriously big wins at times, and mainly against poor/very poor sides, but probably ultimately end the season with the best for/against margin from a bottom 8 side.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Catalans must be one of the most financial clubs in the Super League. Napa better do a lot better than what he did at Canterbury, which was zilch.
Redcap
Roar Guru
'Le gros bouton'
peterj
Roar Rookie
“Le Grande Papi”
Phil
Roar Rookie
No doubt they would disagree. If the natural talent is not within, no coach can make a top 1st grader.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
McInnes 13 Liddle isn't a first grader
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Agreed. He’s a tough little grinder who played almost every game and every minute last year. Same stat sheet will tell he also just about leads the lead in ineffective tackles which to these eyes were primarily fatigue based.