NRL NEWS: Moses could exit Eels early, US kick-off in 2023, Lomax says Frizell feud 'friendly banter', Walker kicks on

It’s not just Kalyn Ponga who is causing his club concerns over an early release clause.

Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses, despite being signed for two more years, could explore his options on the open market in November for the 2024 season, as he has a clause in the final year od his current deal.

The in-form Eels playmaker, who made his State of Origin debut for NSW last year, would be one of the most sought-after halves on the open market, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, which also stated incoming recruit Josh Hodgson could only be on deck for one season.

Hodgson, whose final season at Canberra was ruined when he suffered an ACL tear in Round 1, will join the Eels in 2023 on a two-year deal but the club has the option for ths second season so if the veteran hooker cannot regain top form in blue and gold, the Eels may not keep him around.

Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Roosters recruit Brandon Smith also have player options for the three-year deals they have recently signed.

Ponga, who has until Round 12 to exercise the option on the final two years of his current deal with Newcastle, is being chased by the Dolphins to be the face of the franchise for the expansion team next year.

Storm star Cameron Munster is also in the Redcliffe team’s sights but Melbourne have indicated they will not release him from the final year of his lucrative deal in 2023 even if he were to ask to leave early.

US option for 2023 kick-off

The NRL is exploring the possibility of kicking off the 2023 season in Los Angeles after aborting an attempt to play a game Stateside three years ago.

Manly and South Sydney are the teams likely to play the game as a “round zero” match before the rest of the competition kicks off a week later.

Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe and high-profile Sea Eagles fan Hugh Jackman would add Hollywood flavour to the event.

The match would be played on a Saturday night on the US West Coast so it could be screened on a Sunday afternoon in Australia.

An attempt to kick off the 2019 season with a match in the US was abandoned but the ARL Commission will consider in the coming months a plan to make it happen as a precursor to next year’s premiership.

By playing the match a week before the rest of Round 1 kicks off it would give each team extra time to recover from the impact of travelling to the US and back before their next game.

Lomax says Frizell ruckus just friendly banter

Zac Lomax claims his post-try celebration that riled Tyson Frizell was just a joke between mates and he was surprised by the rough reaction he received from the Newcastle forward.

Lomax was involved in one of the more bizarre scenes in St George Illawarra’s win over the Knights on Sunday, jumping on former teammate Frizell after the Dragons scored a crucial try.

It came just after Frizell had fumbled a Ben Hunt kick, allowing the Dragons to regain the lead midway through the second half.

A former Dragons star, Frizell reacted angrily by grabbing Lomax by the jersey and rag-dolling him to the ground, slamming the Dragons centre into the turf.

David Klemmer also gave Lomax a serve after the match, visibly angry with him after the siren.

But Lomax insisted there was no ill feeling between himself and Frizell, and his celebration had been in good fun.

“I am good mates with Friz,” Lomax said. 

“You have seen how vital he is to the team so I just tried to get him off his game as much as possible.

“It was a bit of friendly banter. It’s all fun and games.”

Lomax could potentially earn the ire of the match review committee of the incident.

Penrith centre Stephen Crichton was charged with grade-one contrary conduct last year and fined for bringing Canberra’s Joseph Tapine into a try celebration last year, as he held an interchange card.

Lomax’s offence was arguably worse, given the way he launched himself at Frizell.

But still, the 22-year-old said he did not expect the response he got from the NSW State of Origin second-rower.

“Yeah probably (a bit surprised), but it’s all heat of the moment. And what’s on the footy field stays on the footy field,” Lomax said. “She’s all good fun.”

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin said he would speak to Lomax about the matter, admitting it was not at all needed.

Regardless, it was Lomax who had the last last he nailed a 25-metre field goal to win the match with two minutes to play after earlier coming up with a vital one-on-one steal.

“It was definitely the win we needed,” Lomax said. “We get belief out of that and wanting to play for each other. We were lacking that, a bit of belief in each other (previously).”

JT and Dad give Walker goal-kicking boost

Roosters sharp-shooter Sam Walker has a fair encyclopedia of knowledge in his corner when it comes to goal-kicking in the NRL.

He booted five from five in the 22-14 win over the Warriors as the SCG, as well as scoring a try, as they improved to 4-2.

“It was good to be able to knock a few over – I think I owe the boys a few that I’ve missed in the past,” Walker said. “I’m taking a little bit more time. You could probably see out there today how I took longer to make sure the ball is where I want to be. 

“Earlier I didn’t take as much time to focus on where the ball is being aimed. I’ve felt more confident in the past two weeks.”

Walker struck three from three in the 24-20 win over the Broncos a week ago and puts a lot of his new-found accuracy down to his work with Roosters’ NSW Cup and assistant NRL coach Jason Taylor. He booted 942 goals in 276 games for Western Suburbs, North Sydney and Parramatta.

There’s also Walker’s father Ben, who landed 300 goals in 135 games with the Broncos, Manly and South Sydney.

“Jason is a great goal-kicking coach here at the Roosters and my old man as well – he’s helped a lot two. Those two have laid a pretty good platform for myself,” Walker said.

The 2021 Dally M Rookie of the Year has only played 27 games in the NRL, but has bulked up in size a little over the pre-season and is relishing being able to chance his hand in attack more often.