MARSTERS MULLS DEAL
FORMER Tigers star Esan Marsters is considering a move to North Queensland after he was released from the final year of his contract at the Sydney club.
The Cowboys have levelled a contract offer to the New Zealand international, and it is understood his former club would not meet the offer and released him on Thursday.
The length of the Cowboys deal is unknown, but it is understood to be long term.
Marsters has not missed a game since making his debut for the Tigers midway through the 2017 season, and has proven himself as one of the more devastating centres in the NRL.
The second-phase king, Marsters has made more offloads than any other backline player in the NRL this season with 39, putting him in the top 10 players overall. He also ranks in the top 50 NRL players for tackle busts with 55 this season, putting him behind only Jason Taumalolo (69) when compared with the entire Cowboys roster.
The Cowboys are lacking in backline depth after releasing eight players at the end of the 2019 season including Javid Bowen, Enari Tuala, Gideon GelaMosby and Jordan Kahu.
Marsters also possesses a goal kicking ability which will be highly sought after by the Cowboys following the departure of Kahu.
While the club could not confirm Marsters intentions, the Cowboys remain hopeful they will get their man.
Director of football Peter Parr said negotiations had been ongoing between the club and Marsters’ management team.
“We have been in dialogue with his agent and we have put forward an offer, he is a very skilled and accomplished player,” Parr said.
“We think he could add benefit to our club if he chooses to come here. There is no doubt (the backline) is a position we don’t have a lot of depth in. We need to find players who will add to our club and Esan fits that criteria.
“The ball is in his court, we will wait and see what his decision is around that.”
If Marsters takes up the opportunity at the Cowboys it could see a reshuffle to the backline with club stalwart Justin O’neill shifted to the wing.
O’neill was one of the Cowboys best before spending a lengthy time on the sidelines after rupturing his spleen in the Cowboys away win over grand finalists Canberra Raiders in Round 11.
But after a solid year from recruit Tom Opacic, who made the right centre position his own, O’neill is likely to make way for the incoming centre.
Marsters was released by the Tigers on Thursday with the club wishing him the best as he takes up an extended offer with another NRL club.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to thank Esan for his contribution to Wests Tigers,” Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said.