Wayne Bennett has his eye on a Knights star Bradman Best, while former Sharks centre Bronson Xerri has launched a bid to return to the NRL.
Elsewhere, the Dragons are closing in on the signature of Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle after he had a medical with the club.
Read on for all the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
LISTEN TO EPISODE 24 OF THE FOX LEAGUE PODCAST WITH JARROD CROKER
WAYNE EYES KNIGHTS GUN
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett is reportedly keeping an eye on Bradman Best’s situation at the Knights.
Best is signed until the end of 2024 but he is on Bennett’s radar should anything change, according to News Corp.
The 21-year-old was once considered a future Origin player but has struggled with injuries and form over the last 18 months.
News Corp reports the Knights have concerns about Best’s attitude too after he was one of two players stood down from a game this season after turning up late for a team bus.
The Dolphins have not approached Best or his management, but if the Knights were to try and offload him early, Bennett will be waiting.
DRAGONS SET TO SIGN TIGERS HOOKER AFTER MEDICAL
The Dragons are closing in on the signature of out of favour Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle.
The Daily Telegraph reported Liddle is set to sign with the Dragons on a one-year deal for 2023.
Liddle has another 12 months remaining on his Tigers deal, but has been given permission to negotiate with rivals.
The 25-year-old has reportedly completed a medical with Dragons officials this week before he mutually parts ways with the Tigers.
The Tigers have Api Koroisau coming to the club next season on a three-year deal, with Jake Simpkin also on their books until 2024.
The Dragons are looking to boost their dummyhalf stocks, with Andrew McCullough reportedly considering retirement after the 2022 season.
Moses Mbye acted as the back-up in 2022, but the Dragons want a specialist hooker to share the load of the hooking duties next season.
The Dragons have struggled for a dynamic rake option since letting Reece Robson and Cameron McInnes leave, who are both now dominating at the Cowboys and Sharks respectively.
Liddle has played 75 games for Wests Tigers since debuting in 2016 scoring 12 tries, but he has only once played more than 13 games in a season as injuries have plagued him in recent years.
MORE NRL NEWS
WC STATE OF PLAY: Bolters in line for Kangaroos as Meninga reveals No.9 battle
REVEALED: Blueprint to stopping Panthers… and why Eels are holding the plans
‘GONE ALL IN’: The ‘big issue’ facing Manly as pressure rises on ‘succession plan’ star
‘GET RID OF HIM’: Broncos legend’s huge Haas call over $3m contract stand-off
FORMER SHARKS CENTRE LAUNCHES NRL COMEBACK BID
Former Sharks centre Bronson Xerri is reportedly set to launch a bid to return to the NRL when his doping ban expires next November.
The Daily Telegraph reported Xerri has joined the ARIA management group, run by player agent Matt Desira, who counts Daine Laurie, Martin Taupau, Tevita Pangai Junior and Jayden Campbell as clients.
Desira also manages incoming Tigers assistant and future head coach Benji Marshall.
Xerri scored 13 tries in 22 games for the Sharks as an 18-year-old in 2019, before he copped a four year ban after he tested positive for testosterone usage in May, 2020.
Before his ban, Xerri passed up a $500,000 contract extension with the Sharks and was linked to a move to the Roosters.
Under clause 10.14.2 of the WADA code, suspended athletes may “return to train with a team or to use the facilities of a club or other member organisation” during the last two months of ineligibility, meaning that despite being banned until November next year, Xerri can join a club and start training in September 2023.
It remains to be seen if NRL clubs will be interested in the former Sharks star after his ban for doping, but he will be just 23 when he is eligible to play in 2024, so time is on his side to resurrect his playing career.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
SEASON REVIEWS
TITANS: Million-dollar man goes missing as Holbrook rues costly mistake
KNIGHTS: How Newcastle’s season fell apart — the Ponga switch that needs to pay off
BULLDOGS: Barrett sacking a double-edged sword as Dogs face big unknown
SEA EAGLES: How Manly’s season came unstuck — and why it’s not Des’ fault
BRONCOS: $1 million elephant in the room as finals disaster exposes divide
DRAGONS: $800k call holds key for Dragons as awkward issue hits tipping point
TIGERS: They hit a ‘diabolic’ low. Now Tigers ‘need to change everything’
