Who is going where next season?
Several NRL player signings have been confirmed with some of the code’s top players looking to move within a matter of weeks.
Warriors Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson are both off contract next season and up for grabs, but it is likely Johnson will stay loyal to the club.
CONFIRMED:
Mitchell Moses (West Tigers to Parramatta): Signed for next year and could be in new colours within weeks if granted a release.
Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs to Wests Tigers): Will replace Moses in the Tigers’s halves. Exits Canterbury before facing being squeezed out as the club turns to the player market.
Ben Hunt (Brisbane to St George Illawarra): Turbo-charged the signing merry-go-round by signing a five-year contract, reportedly worth around A$1 million a year.
Jack Bird (Cronulla to Brisbane): The premiership star rejected Newcastle’s rich advances to accept a surprise three-year deal with Wayne Bennett and the Broncos.
Kalyn Ponga (North Queensland to Newcastle): Two games with the Cowboys were enough to convince the Knights to sign the teenage utility back on a big money five-year deal.
EXPECTED:
Kieran Foran: The Warriors playmaker is on a one-year deal and has been heavily linked to a reunion with former coach Des Halser at the Bulldogs.
Aaron Woods: Failed to agree to terms with the Tigers, who pulled the captain’s contract offer. Believed to have agreed to terms with Canterbury.
James Tedesco: In the same boat as Tigers teammate Woods. The Tigers fullback is unlikely resist the chance to play with a Sydney Roosters side set to threaten for the premiership in the next two years.
STAYING PUT:
Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra): Will remain in Wollongong until the end of 2021 after finding form following a tough 2016.
Chad Townsend (Cronulla): An important part of last year’s premiership, halfback Townsend signed a two-year deal last week.
Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland): Off the market for a decade after signing the longest contract in NRL history.
Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers): Bucked the trend of off-contract Tigers stars wanting to leave. The 22-year-old halfback will partner newcomer Reynolds in guiding the side for the next two years.
Matt Scott (North Queensland): Was on Newcastle’s radar before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The veteran test prop will finish a one-club player with his new two-year deal.
OFF-CONTRACT AND UNDECIDED
Jarryd Hayne: The code-hopping star is being pressured to decide quickly if he’ll utilise an option in his Gold Coast contract or play out the final year. Understood to be interested in re-joining Parramatta.
Cooper Cronk: Off to Sydney at season’s end after a decorated career with Melbourne.
Josh Dugan: Believed to chasing A$1 million a year but it’s uncertain if a clear suitor has emerged.
Anthony Milford: Expected to resign with Brisbane.
Shaun Johnson: Was being looked at by the Tigers before they signed Reynolds, and the Warriors halfback is likely to stay put.