Watch out Parramatta.
The Eels fell just short of a breakthrough premiership this season but their success could come at a cost.
The Daily Telegraphreports that the Dolphins and Bulldogs are circling their star halves, with both teams interested in halfback Mitchell Moses while the league’s newest franchise is also keen on Dylan Brown.
It comes after the Dolphins missed out on the signature of Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster, with Moses or Brown reportedly seen as ‘Plan B’ recruits for the 2024 season.
As for the Bulldogs, they are reported to have a $7 million recruitment war chest, with the aim of poaching Moses from Parramatta.
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Both Moses and Brown are off-contract at the end of next season and are set to test their worth on the open market, leaving the Eels in a tricky position as they look to build on this year’s success.
Dolphins boss Terry Reader confirmed to The Telegraph that the franchise is in the market for either Brown or Moses, should they still be available on November 1.
“We are certainly in the market and nothing changes in that regard. We will continue what we are doing and making sure we sign players that we believe will be a good fit for our team,” he said.
“Now that we have clarity on Cameron Munster, we will continue negotiations with other players and their managers.”
Moses told The Telegraph he “loves” it at Parramatta and that “it’s only a matter of time” before his management sorts out his contract situation.
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Brown is also “happy” at the Eels according to his manager Chris Orr, who told The Telegraph it would take a “massive deal” from a rival club to lure him elsewhere.
“The reality is Dylan is a different individual. He walks to the beat of his own drum,” Orr added.
“Dylan is a free spirit and if I went to the open market, he would have a stack of clubs chasing him. I’ve had calls from a few clubs but I’ve respected Dylan’s request not to worry about contracts until the World Cup is out of the way.”
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RACE FOR PANTHERS GUN MARTIN HEATS UP
Penrith’s hopes of retaining star forward Liam Martin have hit another hurdle with another club reportedly circling the 25-year-old.
The Daily Telegraph reports the St. George Illawarra Dragons are keen to chat with Martin’s management from November 1, should he not agree to terms with the Panthers before then.
The Parramatta Eels are also understood to be interested in Martin, who could be a handy replacement for Tigers-bound Isaiah Papali’i.
Martin, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o are all off-contract after 2023 and with the November 1 deadline looming, Penrith will be desperate to pounce before rival clubs.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Panthers are closing in on a three-year extension for Martin, who is said to be much closer to a deal than Crichton and To’o.
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The Herald reported the Panthers are looking to ramp up negotiations with both Crichton and To’o’s management at the end of this week.
It will also be worth monitoring the future of prop Spencer Leniu and winger Charlie Staines, both of which may look elsewhere for more opportunities in the NRL.
Leniu has been heavily linked to both the Dragons and Tigers, where he may be more likely to get a starting spot, currently stuck behind James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.
Staines, meanwhile, is reportedly being considered in a swap deal with the Tigers for former Panthers utility Tyrone Peachey.
Jaeman Salmon is the only member of this year’s premiership-winning 17 without a contract for next season but that could be about to change.
Salmon told foxsports.com.au after the grand final that there “is a contract on the table” with Penrith and that both he and his manager are sorting it out, with the preference being to stay put.
It is a tricky situation for the Panthers to be in, now seeing the unfortunate consequences of their success, although Mitch Kenny believes the core group won’t be “rushing away”.
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“The club is in a position now, where guys recognise what we have here and want to stay together,” Kenny said to foxsports.com.au before the grand final.
“It speaks to how tight-knit the group is as well, a lot of these local guys, who probably want to repay the club as well for developing them and making them the first graders they are today.
“It would take a bit for a lot of these guys to leave because they are the players they are because of the teammates they have and the coaches they have.
“They don’t want to be rushing away from here and it is a great culture, and everyone wants to be a part of it for as long as they can.”
