NRL Rd 12 - Broncos v Sharks
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Kotoni Staggs and Xavier Coates of the Broncos look dejected looks dejected after their team loses the round 12 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Cronulla Sharks on July 31, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Parramatta are set to step up their game in the race for young Broncos star Kotoni Staggs, with the Eels understood to be lining up a formal bid for the out-of-contract centre.

According to The Daily Telegraphthe Eels see Staggs as a priority target while a number of key figures at the club also remain unsigned past this season.

Earlier this week Staggs revealed his intentions to remain at Red Hill, telling Fox Sports: “I love the club".

“Growing up as a young kid, it’s where I wanted to be.

“It was a dream to play for the Broncos and Darren Lockyer was my idol.

“I don’t want to be anywhere else bar here and it would be good to just stay here.

“I want to play good footy when I get back from my injury and see what happens from there.”

Despite Staggs' comments suggesting his future remains with the Broncos, Parramatta have only looked to increase their position in the race for the 22-year-old.

It is understood Staggs would cost NRL clubs at least $800,000-per-season, a figure that will be sure to cause a strain on the Eels' interior salary negotiations, having stars of their own to lock down for the future.

17 Parramatta players are currently out-of-contract at the end of the 2021, with the likes of Maika Sivo, Nathan Brown, Blake Ferguson, Mitchell Moses and Ryan Matterson headlining the list.

Moses and Matterson currently hold player option clauses in their contract and could trigger new deals for 2022, with Eels football boss Mark O'Neill stating the pair remain as priority's at the club.

“Ryan has added a lot of value in terms of our leadership, performance and experience,” O’Neill told The Telegraph

“And we are looking at an even better year from him this year and beyond.

“He is a local kid who has come back so there is a lot of synergy with that.

“And we have invested with Mitch, he is our man.

The Eels are one of three notable clubs chasing Staggs, with Canterbury and Gold Coast also looking to lure the NSW gun away from Brisbane.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Yeah Right…
    He says that he wants to stay at Brisbane. So clubs are raising their offers for him?
    So much confidence shown in producing your own centres too. I’d be thrilled by all the attention given to Staggs. As a young Gold Coast, Bulldogs or Parramatta centre.
    Just a tip to any young centres at those clubs who feel they’re first grade quality players. Pack up & trial with the clubs that will actually give you a chance!

  2. Yep because all of the panthers players are Riff juniors.

    EastOfDredge = HYPOCRITE!

    to all the panthers players.
    If you actually want to win a premiership join a club that doesn’t have a coaches pet at halfback who is a massive choker.

  3. Sure thing mreel.
    Where are the young Eels centres playing ? Bought Blake, Opacic , Oldfield. Tried to buy Stephen Crichton & now trying to buy Staggs. To replace Jennings ( who may come back ). Opportunities galore!

  4. Mreel…
    Let’s add in Tim Lafai, as another centre from elsewhere that Parramatta just bought.
    Yes, the club just floweth over with opportunities for young local centres!
    It just gets better & better!!

Comments are closed.