Yet to secure a new contract beyond the conclusion of the 2026 NRL season and currently able to speak with rival teams, Cronulla Sharks centre Jesse Ramien has become one of the first players to confirm an interest in joining an NRL expansion side.

A year and a half after nearly being selected by Brad Fittler to represent the NSW Blues, Ramien's future has been in limbo over the past few months which has seen him linked with an exit from the Cronulla Sharks.

Set to be squeezed out of the Shire-based side due to salary cap struggles and the emergence of Michael Gabrael and Nikora Williams, he has found himself linked with a host of other clubs as he attempts to remain playing in the NRL.

Following reports that the North Queensland Cowboys were no longer interested in securing his services, Ramien's manager has confirmed that the strike centre is interested in playing for the PNG Chiefs (NRL's 19th team).

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“Jesse would definitely be keen on going to Papua New Guinea,” Ramien's manager Trevor Conroy told The Courier-Mail.

“He has told me directly he would have no concerns at all about living in Port Moresby.

“He has two young kids under the age of two, so his wife would be more than happy to relocate the family."

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jesse Ramien of the Sharks is tackled by Chanel Harris-Tavita of the Warriors during the round 18 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the New Zealand Warriors at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Only 28, Ramien still has plenty to give in his rugby league career and has made 170 appearances in the NRL since debuting in 2018, as well as representing the Prime Minister's XIII in 2018 and the Indigenous All Stars on four occasions.

“The Sharks were happy for us to go on the open market and see what was out there. At this stage, it doesn't look like Cronulla can afford him on the same deal," Conroy added.

“Jesse feels he is hitting his peak performance over the next two or three years, so he wants to capitalise on it.

“PNG is a definite option for him and of course the tax-free dollars is an attraction for any player.”

2 COMMENTS

  1. Ramien is signed with Sharks for 2026
    PNG Chiefs will join the league in 2028
    What does he anticipate he will doing in 2027 ?

    I can’t see many clubs being interested in paying him $600K for a single season.
    He’s a solid centre, but it’s not as if he is a full-back or a half-back who has the potential to turn around a game.