They may have sacked coach Des Hasler but there is no rebuild happening at Manly.
In fact, the Sea Eagles are set to make an aggressive move in the player market, reportedly eyeing Queensland Maroons and Brisbane Broncos forward Thomas Flegler.
That is according to News Corp, with a report claiming Manly is ready to offer Flegler a monster $4 million deal in a bid to lure him away from Red Hill.
Flegler is contracted until the end of next season but is yet to extend at Brisbane and could hit the open market from November 1, with five teams circling.
Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The offer from the Sea Eagles is reported to be worth $675,000 a season over six years, keeping Flegler at Manly until the end of 2027.
Meanwhile, a separate report from News Corpclaims teammate Patrick Carrigan is after a $100,000-plus pay rise.
Carrigan’s management reportedly contacted Broncos football boss Ben Ikin to begin urgent negotiations, believing the 24-year-old deserves a salary increase given he is now both a Queensland and Australian representative player.
Carrigan is said to be on around $500,000 for 2023 and 2024.
TAMOU SET FOR COWBOYS HOMECOMING
Tigers veteran James Tamou is reportedly set for a return to the Cowboys under Todd Payten, six seasons after departing Townsville in 2016.
The 33-year-old has reportedly signed a one-year deal for the 2023 season according to 7News Michelle Bishop.
It was previously reported Tamou held a meeting with Payten while he was in Sydney for the Dally M Awards night.
Tamou is now set to snub interest from the English Super League and return to the club he made his debut at.
Wakefield Trinity were reportedly one of the clubs interested in the 305-gamer, but Tamou and his family are keen to remain in Australia.
Tamou’s role at the club would be to mentor younger forwards after a stint with the Tigers.
If he is to sign with the Cowboys, reports suggest he would take a significant pay-cut, but the big man wants to play one more season in the NRL.
Could Cheika coach in the NRL? | 06:10
BRONCOS RE-SIGN MAROONS HOPEFUL
Broncos gun Kobe Hetherington has reportedly signed a two-year extension that will see his stay in Red Hill extend until the end of 2025.
Five rival NRL clubs were reportedly circling the 23-year-old according to The Daily Telegraph, however Brisbane acted quickly to ensure he didn’t hit the open market.
Hetherington’s original deal ended after the 2023 season and the Broncos fended off interest from the Titans and Bulldogs to re-sign the utility.
The Queensland Origin hopeful won the Broncos’ Rookie of the Year award in 2021 and the son of Maroons great Jason Hetherington said there was interest from his Dad’s old club.
“I’m really happy to do a new deal,” Hetherington told News Corp.
“I didn’t want to leave.
“It’s good to have that extra security. I was coming off-contract so to have another two years, it gives me that drive to keep bettering myself.
“Growing up as a kid, I went for the Bulldogs because of my dad. The Dogs showed some interest, but I was always hoping to get a deal done with the Broncos and we’ve done that.
“No other club interested me at all. It’s a club I want to be with for a long time. I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
Hetherington will now fight with Kangaroos star Pat Carrigan for the No.13 jersey and has played 36 NRL games to date.
“I know Patty Carrigan is there but it’s good having competition in a position,” Hetherington said.
“Patty teaches me stuff and I feel we have a healthy competition. Obviously I want to be the starting No.13, so I will try and have a good pre-season and keep pushing each other.
“I’ve set myself a couple of goals and a big one for me is to eventually play for Queensland, whether it’s next year or in the future.
“It was a struggle for me in the early days to break into the NRL, but Kevvie was the coach who gave me an opportunity and I wanted to repay the faith.”
Meanwhile, Kobe’s twin brother Zac has also signed an new deal with the Bulldogs which will see his stay at the Belmore club extend to the end of 2023.
Meninga backs Cleary and Munster combo | 01:26
TURPIN FINALLY LANDS A DEAL
Jake Turpin has reportedly “agreed to terms” with the Roosters, five months after the Broncos granted him permission to look elsewhere.
The 25-year-old requested a release halfway through the season after falling behind hookers Billy Walters and Cory Paix in the Brisbane pecking order.
Turpin played the first six games of the season at hooker before he was injured, which opened the door for Walters to cement the No. 9 jersey.
“Jake has found himself playing in our second tier competition at the moment and can’t crack it for a first grade spot,” Broncos head of football Ben Ikin said in June.
“Jake, to sure up his future, wants to get himself somewhere where he can play first-grade footy again because he was off contract at the end of this year with the Broncos and he wants to put himself in the shop window at the end of this year, it’s as simple as that.”
Seibold expected to be named Manly coach | 02:09
Ironically, Turpin finished the season where he started and played hooker in five of the Broncos’ final six games.
But he’ll now join the Roosters as a back-up to star recruit Brandon Smith, according to Triple M’s Ben Dobbin.
Turpin’s reported signing comes after the Roosters allowed Sam Verrills out of the final two years of his deal to sign with the Titans.
