Luke Brooks is to get a farewell party from the Tigers with the club confirming that they will have a plan for his final home game, which is this Saturday at Commbank Stadium against the Dolphins.
Players who retire are regularly given send-offs, but Brooks is moving to Manly after deciding not to extend his career with the joint venture.
Even so, many had asked if the 200-game local junior would be awarded some special treatment given his long service, and according to the Sydney Morning Herald, there are now plans to do something. Robbie Farah received similar treatment despite leaving the club for South Sydney in 2016.
“He deserves it,” club legend Steve Roach told the Herald.
“The club needs to do something. How many games did he play? It’s a bloody great effort to reach 200 games for the one club.
“I would have loved to have seen him remain a one-club player. But I don’t think he had much of an option in the end because they offered him less. His service to the club has been outstanding.”
The NRL is looking to use it’s Vegas season launch to scour America for potential rugby league talent, according to reports in The Daily Telegraph.
While the general purpose of the trip is to raise the profile of the competition in the USA, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo suggested that it may also give an opportunity to run the rule over the stacks of athletic talent in the States.
“There is an opportunity for us to think about how potential Americans might actually have a pathway to play rugby league in Australia. It’s not just about acquiring fans,” he said.
“This is an opportunity for us to showcase our sport to potential athletes from a pathway perspective back into the NRL. We are going to have our clubs over there.
“What an opportunity for those athletes that are thinking about a professional career having an alternative pathway. There are lots of avenues and opportunities here.
“This is a long-term strategy for how we might be able to take what we think is an unbelievably entertaining and engaging sport to a very large and passionate sports-made population in America.”
The planning for 2024 is well underway at Redcliffe, with players not in the plan already being allowed to leave. One out of the door is Herman Ese’ese, who will link up with Super League club Hull FC from the start of next year.
The prop has represented both New Zealand and Samoa, as well as the Bulldogs, Knights, Broncos and Titans beforer moving to Redcliffe this year. Now, he will swap Queensland for Humberside after signing a deal until 2027.
“I’m only 28 years-old and feel like I’m in the prime of my career right now, so I’m thrilled to be spending the next three years with Hull,’ he said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to wear the Black and White jersey, and play for a club with such a rich history – I can’t wait to work with Tony and the lads.
“Growing up, you always dream of playing in the NRL and playing at an international level. But now I want to come to Super League while I’ve got some of my best years ahead of me. I didn’t want to come over too late in my career – I still have a lot of footy to give and I want to do that with a great club.”
Jorge Taufua is a cult hero among Manly fans after producing a one-man highlight reel of hits during his long period at Brookvale Oval.
But the winger has found himself in hot water in England after being rubbed out for the season following a biting charge.
Taufua was playing for Bradford in the second tier Championship against Barrow Raiders when he was sent off for an alleged bite on opposing captain Jarrod Stack.
The former Tonga and Samoa international was charged for the incident and fought it at the judiciary, resulting in a six match ban, ensuring that he will only play again this year if Bradford make the Finals.
Taufua had only been at the club for two months following a midseason switch from Super League strugglers Wakefield, and will now have to watch on as his teammates attempt to cling on to a post-season place.
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