Josh Addo-Carr could be on the brink of swapping the Bulldogs for Parramatta, with Ryan Matterson shaping as a potential option to go the other way.
Multiple outlets are linking the Kangaroos winger with a shock departure from Belmore, with lock Matterson being used as a makeweight for the deal.
There have been rumblings that the Foxx, who was left out of the Kangaroos squad following an incident at the Koori Knockout, is offside with Bulldogs powerbrokers and Wednesday’s developments suggest that he may leave the club sooner rather than later.
Newcastle, St George Illawarra and the Wests Tigers are also monitoring the situation – the Knights are after a replacement for Roosters recruit Dominic Young, new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan is looking to add star power to his roster while Addo-Carr started his NRL career at the Tigers and they are keen to add more high-profile players in their bid to avoid a third straight wooden spoon.
Parramatta have been looking for outside back firepower and are frontrunners in any deal for Addo-Carrr, but would have to find space in their top 30 to be able to offer him a deal.
Former NSW rep Matterson is not thought to be actively seeking a release, nor is he being shopped around, but the Eels are reportedly willing to let him go if it facilitated Addo-Carr’s arrival.
Canterbury are reportedly more interested in a front-rower than a lock, as they have to replace the losses of Luke Thompson and Tevita Pangai jnr from their pack.
Parra are looking for an immediate deal for the Foxx, which is contingent on the Bulldogs releasing him from his contract.
It is possible that they might do so, given his recent upheaval and their re-signing of back-up option Blake Wilson, who could step up as a replacement. They also have Bronson Xerri and Jeral Skelton as wing options alongside surefire starter Jacob Kiraz.
Canterbury general manager Phil
Gould, however, took to social media on Wednesday night, appearing to deny suggestions Addo-Carr is poised to exit the club.
“Sometimes I just sit here and laugh at the things people say and do,” Gould posted on X.
“I have no idea what motivates them … They are obviously too smart for me … They are operating on a whole different level.”
Ben Pobjie
Expert
A team that needs a winger giving away a winger feels counterintuitive.
Donbich
Roar Rookie
If Luai stays at the Panthers I will give him credit for making the correct decision for his career. I doubt he will turn down an extra $300-400k a year though.
Donbich
Roar Rookie
Because his attitude stinks. He is horrible on defence. He doesn't make tough plays. He whinges as much as Cam Smith. He commits a lot of dog shots or attempted dog shots on opposition players. He thinks he's a lot better than he is. His attitude isn't what I want around young players during a rebuild. He has not been a good buy, and he hasn't been a good influence on the club.
Donbich
Roar Rookie
I'm sure he would, and I couldn't leave fast enough if he does. Gould is a muppet and Luai is a waste of money for whichever club buys him.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
The only fullback I’d swap Gutho for is Reece Walsh, although Fa’alogo may become that player.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Not officially.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Knights signed Tom Jenkins for the wing . 188cm, 94 KG’s. He’s not as big as Young, but is fast & an effective finisher. Money was the problem somehow with the Knights & their cap. Roosters again offered way more money for Young , no doubt.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Bulldogs would buy Luai in a heartbeat. Phil Gould loves any player that’s been at Penrith, that’s been half decent.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
As he can be very good at fullback, like Edwards can. Yet he’s not going to blow the opposition away with pace & evasiveness. Just like Edwards isn’t going to. Just saying, I would swap Edwards now for a Faalogo , then get Turuva to play fullback until Faalogo was good to go in first grade. Parramatta absolutely would swap Gutherson for a Faalogo , plus another player to go with him. I think that’s what was definitively on the clubs mind & I don’t blame them. :thumbup:
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Perhaps they need the couple more to fill the same very small hole? :laughing:
Tom G
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
souvalis
Roar Rookie
$2 million for a 4 year contract. Who bettered that ?
criag
Roar Rookie
Knights offered Young $500,000 a season, according to Foxsports, which was bettered by other clubs. He chose the Roosters reportedly, among other things, because of the chance to play in the centres.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
I thought it was reported Trent Robinson opened discussions 2022 World cup when he was assistant for France and Alex played for Jamaica.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Can you cite the source where you found that. You’re talking about older brother Alex who ‘followed’ Dom to the Roosters ?
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
The Roosters signed his younger brother when he was off contract! B4 signing Dom. Recruitment masterclass, by the Roosters. Recruitment fail by the Knights
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
1) RCG & Junior will still be good for another 2-3 years at least, although BA will have to manage their minutes better. 2) Greig has enormous potential and will be our 3rd power forward this year. He was already punching out 30-35 minutes last year, expect that to go to around 40-45 minutes in 24. 3) Lane had a horror year because of a freak preseason injury and never got traction the rest of the season. Get him through a great preseason and there is no reason he won’t bounce back to his pre 23 form, which wasn’t just restricted to 22, he has been great for us since he arrived. Still only 29. 4) Carty had the best season of his career for us, and again no reason to believe that will change. His off field life is settled and he’s fit and hungry. 5) Hopgood will get better because whilst he was a rookie, he wasn’t a 19 yo rookie, he’s 24, he’s gotten where he is through hard work, he won’t stop working hard now. 6) Makatoa & Ofa are solid bench guys who only have to give us 20 minutes a night each, they are more than capable. 7) Luca Moretti debuted last year and can expect to get more game time this year, he looks good. 8) Kelma Tuilagi had a tough year at Manly but he is better than he showed. I promise you he will prove to be another astute pickup. 9) There are a number of young forwards coming through who will be pushing for NSW Cup time this year and possibly sone NRL action. Toni Mataele, Jock Brazel, Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa, Charlie Guymer and one or two others. Whilst it would be nice to keep Matto, we are desperately short on outside backs, even more so with Waqa leaving. If JAC is available, then we need to get him.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Agreed
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
In 2022 the Eels had a top 3 pack and reasonable depth. It was almost, but not quite, good enough. In 2023, you couldn't possibly argue the pack was better - in either starting quality, or depth and they plummeted down the ladder. So you move on to 2024. RCG and Paulo are really good, but probably not going to get better. If anything, we are getting closer to seeing regression. If Cartwright plays as well as he did in 23, it will be good fo the club. But to expect him to go better again...? Probably not realisitc and it probably isn't to Papali'i 2022 levels. Lane missed plenty of time, but we have seen is ceiling and it was short lived. 22 is the outlier in his career in terms of effort, hard running etc. It was great, but for him to replicate it 2 years later is 'to hope' more than 'be sure'. Even if he plays as well as he did in 2022, it wasn't enough, he needs to go further, and can he? Hopgood is a good acquisition. Had a great (essentially rookie) year. We have seen plenty of rookie forwards have booming first years and come back to the pack there after (Nanai, Britton Nikore jump to mind as recent examples). Then from a depth perspective they have lost Kaufusi and Stone and Brown, and now Davey and Murchie as depth players. Greig shows some promise but has a long way to go. Doorey is not a first grader and Joe O, is miles away from what he was. He is bench player. And their gains for 2024 are a couple of Manly players. Ordinary Manly players. Harper.. .who is Morgan Harper. And Tuilagi who played something like 18 games for Manly last year... and made one solitary line break. And don't get me started on the all important hooking role....but you can't say it is even remotely close to the standard in 2022. So with all of that, i personally don't see how any Eels fan can think that letting Matterson go, is going to give them more chance of going up the ladder.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
Dragons management: Josh, we're keen, but we note your spend on defending criminal charges is way below what we expect our players to have spent.