Mitchell Pearce has made the shock admission he is “open” to an NRL return after declining an offer from the Tigers.
Meanwhile, Matt Lodge could be forced to depart the Roosters at the season’s end.
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PEARCE’S NRL SWAN SONG
Halfback Mitchell Pearce is open to a shock NRL return after turning down an approach from the Tigers in March.
The merger club were reportedly preparing a two-year $1.5 million contract to bring the current Catalans Dragons playmaker back to Australia.
While he turned down a chance to play under Tim Sheens, the 34-year-old hasn’t given up hopes of playing in the NRL once again.
“I’m still open,” Pearce said on SEN.
“I’ll wait and see what happens. The Tigers thing came up. I declined on that, and I was really grateful. It was nice respect from the Tigers but I’m committed here for this season and I’m loyal to the club to try to win the comp this year.
“We’ll wait and see what happens next year. I’m obviously getting older and you appreciate every season you play at this age.
“I still feel like I’ve got some footy in me, but I’m fully committed to this season. I’ll see what happens after that.”
Pearce is currently is in his second season in the Super League after playing 309 games for the Roosters and Knights in a career spanning 15 years.
The Tigers are searching for a playmaking option with Adam Doueihi set to sit out for the remainder of the 2023 season and 2024.
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Meanwhile, Luke Brooks remains without a contract for next season and could leave the merger club.
Elsewhere the Bulldogs have recently axed Kyle Flanagan, with Josh Reynolds taking his spot in the halves until Karl Oloapu finds his feet in first grade.
The Titans could be on the lookout for a halfback to partner Kieran Foran despite Tanah Boyd’s strong start to the season.
As it stands, the Warriors are also without a halfback for 2024 with Shaun Johnson coming off-contract at the end of the season.
LODGE’S ROOSTERS EXIT
Roosters enforcer Matt Lodge is reportedly unlikely to be handed a contract extension with his current deal expiring at the end of the 2023 season.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 27-year-old will be forced out of the Tricolours club after he landed in Bondi midway through the 2022 season.
Lodge is currently managed by Isaac Moses which could see the boom forward sign with the Sea Eagles.
He also currently lives on the northern beaches, close to Manly’s facilities.
The news comes after the Roosters recruited Panthers prop Spencer Leniu on a deal worth more than $500,000-a-year starting from 2024.
This season the Warriors are still paying about $500,000 of their salary cap to Lodge following his abrupt exit from the New Zealand club last season.
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Kiwi enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves remains without a contract for 2024 and Lodge has previously said he would take a pay-cut to remain alongside his teammate.
“That’s one lesson I’ve probably learnt, to share the pie a little bit in the forward pack,” Lodge said to the SMH.
“That makes your job better and you get some good quality players around you. That’s crucial. You can’t do it with two (front-row) forwards, it’s too hard. To have a whole pack and quality players is something you’ve got to look at.
“This is the first time in a while that I get to learn some lessons (from) a senior front-rower which has been good. (Waerea-Hargreaves) is looking fit and healthy and doing a great job.
“I’d love to play with him as long as I can. He’s a beast, he’s one of our leaders.
“Lindsay and I and a few others will just take little lessons from him for as long as we can.
“The boys just respect him so much, if he leads the way you just follow because he’s such a good guy off the field.
