Souths lock in Cook successor as Dragons find unlikely Volkman replacement: Transfer Whispers

Souths lock in Cook successor as Dragons find unlikely Volkman replacement: Transfer Whispers

The Rabbitohs are planning for life after Damien Cook by locking in his successor on a multi-year deal.

Meanwhile, the Dragons have found an unexpected replacement for Ronald Volkman after the playmaker was cut from the squad due to an injury.

Elsewhere, Titans veteran Kieran Foran has no plans to retire just yet and is set to sign an extension.

Read on for the latest Transfer Whispers.

Round 1

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Confirmed: Olam & Blore player swap | 00:24

BUNNIES LOCK IN NEXT NO.9

South Sydney have re-signed up-and-coming hooker Peter Mamouzelos as they prepare for life after Damien Cook.

That is according to The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas, who reports Mamouzelos has inked a three-year extension.

The 23-year-old was signed until the end of 2024, meaning his extension will keep him in the cardinal and myrtle until the end of 2027.

Mamouzelos made his NRL debut in 2021 and now has a total of seven appearances under his belt, including two last season.

Peter Mamouzelos has re-signed with the Rabbitohs. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied

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VOLKMAN DEBACLE OPENS DOOR FOR NSW CUP VETERAN

The Dragons have found a replacement for Ronald Volkman after a chaotic few days following a routine medical exam.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas reports North Sydney Bears playmaker Jesse Marschke has signed a Top 30 deal with the Dragons.

Volkman got an early release from the Warriors to take up a one-year offer with the Dragons. He was signed to provide some much-needed depth in the halves after Talatau Amone was deregistered.

The Dragons announced the 21-year-old’s deal and he began training with the squad before his contract was officially registered with the NRL.

Disaster struck when a medical exam revealed Volkman actually requires surgery on his shoulder and so the Dragons made the brutal decision to cut the young playmaker, leaving him without a contract for 2024.

Marschke is a NSW Cup veteran of 72 games over stints with Newtown, the Bulldogs and Bears. The 26-year-old was named NSW Cup’s Five-eighth of the Year after recording 11 tries and 16 try assists in 27 appearances.

He had spent the pre-season on a train-and-trial with the Melbourne Storm via the Bears’ feeder agreement.

Jesse Marschke has signed with Dragons. Photo: Steve MontgomerySource: News Corp Australia

Dragons set to cut Volkman due to injury | 00:37

FORAN TO PLAY ON

Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran has plans to play beyond 2024 with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting he is closing in on a one-year extension with the Titans.

Foran will be 34 by the end of this season but said this week: “physically I feel as good as I’ve ever felt.”

The New Zealand international has played 282 NRL games over 15 years with six different clubs.

He struggled with injuries during his three-year stint with the Bulldogs but has managed to play 20 or more games in each of his last three seasons.

Foran has reunited with coach Des Hasler on the Gold Coast — the coach who signed him to the Bulldogs and then gave him a lifeline at Manly.