Teams are starting to return to pre-season training, but the signing frenzy is only getting stronger with November 1 now over a month in the rear-view mirror. Here is all the latest in NRL transfer news and rumours.
Tigers land Panthers hooker for 2023
The Wests Tigers have officially made their first breakthrough in the transfer market for 2023, with star dummy half Apisai Koroisau joining the club on a three-year deal.
Starting in 2023, the first two years of the contract will see Koroisau remain at Concord until at least the end of the 2024 season, while 2025 has been posed as a mutual option for both club and player, with the Tigers confirming the nature of the contract in a statement on Friday.
DETAILS: Wests Tigers sign KoroisauÂ
Storm confirm Smith exit as star makes apology
Brandon Smith has used his Instagram account to make a public apology, but also said he will continue to be himself as the Melbourne Storm confirmed he would be exiting the club at the end of the 2022 NRL season on Tuesday.
Smith has been the crossfire over the past 24 hours following an appearance on the YKTR Sports podcast, where he drew the ire of the Storm for admitting he wants to win a premiership with the Roosters, before speaking glowingly about the culture of the club.
READ MORE: Smith set for exit following documented interviewÂ
Joseph Manu confirms contract decision
Sydney Roosters' centre Joseph Manu has officially re-signed with the Sydney Roosters for 2023.
A two-year extension will keep him at the club until at least the end of 2024, with the signing of Manu seen as a key in the Roosters' continued push for success.
Eels set to chase surprise Mahoney replacement
The Parramatta Eels have begun their search to replace hooker Reed Mahoney, and a left-field link seems to be the most likely option.
With Brandon Smith expected to move to the Sydney Roosters in the coming days, it will leave Sam Verrills - once touted the future of the Roosters' number nine jersey - out in the open and possibly looking for a new club.
NSW club eyeing Cowboys’ rising star
The Tigers reportedly have their sights on emerging Cowboys forward Jeremiah Nanai for 2023, with a two-year deal understood to be tabled to the North Queensland teenager.
The venture club's interest comes as the Cowboys continue their press to sign Tigers lock Luciano Leilua on an immediate release, with the 25-year-old already set to make the move to Townsville at the end of next year.
According to Fox Sports' James Hooper, the Tigers have tabled a two-year offer to Nanai worth $600,000 in a move to "hit back" at the Cowboys' advances.
READ MORE: Nanai of interest to Tigers following Leilua moveÂ
Broncos centre joins rivals on loan deal
Brisbane centre Jesse Arthars has joined the Warriors on a loan deal for the 2022 season.
The Broncos confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the 23-year-old will link up with the Auckland-based club for the entirety of next season in a move that is set to aid both clubs.
Departed Melbourne winger appears to find new home
Former Melbourne Storm winger Isaac Lumelume has apparently joined the Canterbury Bulldogs following his departure from the Victorian capital.
With very little fanfare, Lumelume quietly announced on his Instagram on Wednesday evening that he was departing the Storm for "family reasons", indicating that the next chapter was beginning.
It would now appear that next chapter is for Lumelume to join the Bulldogs, who are understood to have had a single roster spot open for the 2022 season.
Rival club circling North Queensland young gun
Newcastle are understood to have emerging Cowboys forward Heilum Luki in their sights, with rival clubs continuing to circle North Queensland's youthful back-rower cohort.
Luki, 20, impressed in his debut season this year, playing 11 matches to score three tries and amass a strong tackle rate across his maiden campaign at NRL level.
The Newcastle Herald's Barry Toohey has revealed the Knights are showing interest in the contracted second-rower.
FULL STORY: Luki in the sights of the Knights
Brother of Bulldogs recruit lands deal for 2022
Jermaine Pangai is set to link up with his brother and Bulldogs recruit Tevita Pangai Junior at Belmore for 2022.
The 17-year-old has impressed for Marsden State High throughout his junior ranks in Queensland, while he also boasts a promising career in the boxing ring.
“I’m aiming to make the NRL, but also continue to box," Pangai told News Corp.
READ MORE: Dogs swoop on younger brother of TPJ
Pressure heaped on Eels as Dolphins chase next target
The fight for star front-rower Junior Paulo is heating up.
The Parramatta Eels are desperate to keep the start prop, and to stem the bleeding following the losses of Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali'i to the New Zealand Warriors and Wests Tigers respectively, and the reported loss of Reed Mahoney to the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The Dolphins have only signed Felise Kaufusi thus far and reportedly view Paulo as a pack leader, should they be able to land his signature, according to The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield, who told Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast that the Eels were under pressure to get the Paulo deal done this week.
READ MORE: Paulo gaining more attention as Dolphins continue pushÂ
Storm said to have started shopping Smith for next season
Melbourne has reportedly begun shopping their wantaway rake Brandon Smith ahead of the final year of his deal in the southern capital, however, their early bargaining is said to have hit a hitch.
Andrew Webster of The Sydney Morning Herald has claimed that the Craig Bellamy lead club are keen to part ways with loquacious dummy half, but their opening offer of a trade to the Wests Tigers was said to have been denied.
With Smith now certain to ink a deal with the Sydney Roosters from 2023 onwards after his unsubtle revelations on a YKTR podcast, the Storm are said to have contacted the Tigers about a straight trade for Stefano Utoikamanu.
FULL STORY: Conflicting comments over reported Storm-Tiger swap dealÂ
Former NRL centre signs new deal to reignite career
Former St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs' centre Timoteo Lafai has signed a one-year deal with the Salford Red Devils in the English Super League.
It was looking increasingly like Lafai's career in the top flight was over. After a total of 165 games for the Bulldogs and Dragons between 2011 and 2020, he returned to the Bulldogs mid-way through the 2020 season.
With COVID ruining reserve grade for the year, the 30-year-old who has played 13 Tests for Samoa seemed to be a forgotten force in the elite level of the game, however, Salford have seen the value in Lafai.
READ MORE: Lafai lands lifeline in Salford move
NRL premiership winner signs new deal
The Catalan Dragons have added some star power signing former Penrith Panther Tyrone May.
May has signed a one-year deal with the French club which will see him play the 2022 season in the south of France.
May was a member of the 2021 premiership team, being an interchange in the Panthers' 14-12 win.
FULL STORY: May makes move to Catalan
Dolphins set to miss another target as prop packs bags
The hits just keep coming for the Dolphins, with reports on Thursday morning suggesting that Sydney Roosters' prop Siosiua Taukeiaho will link up with the Catalan Dragons.
December has arrived, and the Dolphins' only signature for 2023 still remains Felise Kaufusi. It had been reported they were chasing Taukeiaho, who is off-contract at the Roosters at the end of the 2022 season.
While the Dolphins presented the opportunity to stay in Australia and play under Wayne Bennett, The Daily Telegraph report that Taukeiaho will exit to play in the English Super League with French glamour club the Catalan Dragons.
FULL STORY: Rooster set to baulk Dolphins for Super League switchÂ
Centre’s move from Kennel to Concord accelerating
Nick Cotric could become the first victim of the Bulldogs' salary cap squeeze following reports that the former Raider had recently met with Wests Tigers officials.
With Canterbury's cap situation sure to capture a big-name victim ahead of the 2023 season, the contracted centre could well ease the club's financial situation following their off-season spending spree.
As first reported by James Hooper of Fox Sports, the 23-year-old has met with both Michael Maguire and Wests' director of football Tim Sheens about the prospects of a shift up Burwood Road.
READ MORE: Cotric switch gaining momentum
Roosters playmaker tipped for move abroad
Sydney Roosters half Lachlan Lam is reportedly set to link up with his dad, Adrian, at English Super League side the Leigh Centurions for next season.
The 23-year-old, who is currently contracted to the Chooks for 2022, will need an immediate release given his contract currently holds his services to Bondi until the end of next year.
According to multiple reports, Lam is tipped to join the Centurions and work under his father, who is the senior coach of the Super League club.
FULL STORY: Lam set to link up with dad at Leigh for 2022
Former NRL winger signs international deal
Former NRL winger Nene Macdonald has put pen to paper on a new contract with the Leigh Centurions.
The nine-time Papua New Guinean international, who played for the Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons, North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks across his 98-game NRL career, has barely featured at the top level of the Australian game since the end of 2018.
A one-year deal with the English club will give the veteran winger a chance to reinvent himself, and restart his career, with the 27-year-old believing he still has plenty to offer on the field.
FULL STORY: Macdonald makes Super League move
