Joe Ofahengaue’s proposed mid-season move to the Eels has been delayed despite him undergoing a medical at Parramatta, with the Tigers insisting any potential release would be done on their terms.
The former State of Origin forward’s immediate move to the Tigers’ western Sydney neighbours unravelled on Thursday when the club told him he would be required for Saturday’s clash against the Cowboys, which doubles as Luke Brooks’ 200th NRL game.
The Eels were preparing for Ofahengaue to sign a two-and-a-half year contract with the club on Thursday, and even went as far as having him checked by the club doctor. There was even a chance Ofahengaue would have played for the Eels’ NSW Cup team on Friday.
But the Tigers put a halt to any immediate switch and the deal now runs the risk of falling over if Ofahengaue is injured in any match this weekend.
According to Tigers sources speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of the talks, a recruitment and retention meeting on Wednesday night determined Ofahengaue wouldn’t be released before the weekend.
But it didn’t stop the 27-year-old from heading to Kellyville for a medical the next day and meeting key Eels staff.
Tigers forward Joe Ofahengaue.Credit: Getty
It’s likely the two clubs won’t revisit the final release until early next week as Parramatta desperately search for middle forwards. Reagan Campbell-Gillard is spending an extended stint on the sidelines.
Ofahengaue will have to undergo another medical if he plays this weekend before he can join Brad Arthur’s side. He is under contract at the Tigers until the end of 2025.
While the Tigers might be preparing for one last game for Ofahengaue, the Cowboys clash will also double as the return of former forward Luciano Leilua, who was cleared to play after domestic violence charges were dropped against him in court on Thursday.
North Queensland made an immediate application for him to be cleared for the NRL game at Leichhardt Oval after the no-fault stand-down policy was lifted.
But sources said the Tigers objected to the NRL’s clearance and questioned why Leilua was being allowed to play despite not being named in the 23-man squad on Tuesday. The appeal fell on deaf ears.
Leilua replaced Sylvester Namo on the extended bench.
“The charges have been dismissed and Mr Leilua has accepted an AVO without any admissions,” Leilua’s lawyer Elias Tabchouri said.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Moses has finally signed a five-year extension with the Eels which could keep him at the club until 2028.
The halfback will have an option in his favour in each of the last two years of the deal after rejecting interest from the Tigers to stay with his boyhood club.
“We have a great bunch of boys at Parramatta and I love working with Brad and our coaching staff,” Moses said. “I’ve been an Eels supporter since I was a kid, so this feels special.”
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