November 1 has come and gone, meaning the news and rumours won't stop, with a few movements for 2022, 2023 and contract extensions also going through this week.
Eels lose first as contract crunch bites
Theย Parramatta Eelsย have lostย Marata Niukoreย to theย New Zealand Warriors.
The Eels went past the November 1 deadline when players off-contract at the end of 2022 could negotiate with other clubs with a staggering 18 players either not contracted to the club, or with player options in their favour.
Niukore's contract with the Warriors is understood to be in the vicinity of $2.5 million over four years.
READ MORE: Warriors swoop on off-contract Eels forward
Rival club make play for Parramatta hooker
Starย Parramatta Eels' hookerย Reed Mahoneyย has been spotted at dinner with Bulldogs' officials.
It's understood the group were eating at a Chinese restaurant within Canterbury Leagues Club. The video, taken by a Twitter user, seems to show Mahoney with Canterbury coachย Trent Barrett, general manager of football Phil Gould, club chairman John Khoury and Mahoney's own manager Sam Ayoub.
WATCH HERE: Mahoney in talks with top Dogs
Dolphins setting sights on Dragons playmaker
The Dolphinsย are understood to be eyeing contracted Dragons five-eighthย Talatau Amoneย for 2023.
Amone is currently signed to St George Illawarra until the end of the 2023 season, having inked aย three-year deal in October last yearย following increased interest from rivals.
It is understood that the NRL newcomers are hoping Amone may look elsewhere to gain greater exposure in the top flight to hold down a starting halves role, with the 19-year-old set to compete with incumbent halfย Ben Huntย and fellow young gunย Jayden Sullivanย for the first-string playmaking honours in the Red V.
READ MORE: Dragons rising star on Dolphins' radar
Queensland club pull out of hunt for Eels star, former Raiders prop
The Broncos have withdrawn from the running for in-demand Eels hookerย Reed Mahoney, while ex-Raiderย Dunamis Luiย is another that won't be calling Red Hill home.
While the Bulldogs pose as a large threat toย the Dolphins' hopes of signing Mahoney, cross-town rivals in the Broncos have pulled out of the race for the rake's services, with Brisbane football boss Ben Ikin telling The Courier Mailย the club are satisfied with their current hooker ranks.
The Broncos have just the one list spot in the top 30 available for 2022, with recent targetย Dunamis Luiย set to miss out on finding a new home in Brisbane for next year.
FULL STORY: Broncos rule out moves for Eels playmaker, cut Raider
Versatile Sea Eagle takes flight for Super League
Theย Manly Sea Eaglesย have granted versatile playmakerย Cade Custย a release from his contract to sign withย Super Leagueย giants Wigan ahead of the 2022 season.
While Cust still had a year to run on his deal at Brookvale, the 23-year-old has opted for a geographic shift to earn more playing time.
Per theirย official statementย released on Friday night, Manly also hold the rights to re-sign Cust should he decide to make an NRL return at any stage.
READ MORE: Cust makes move abroad with early release
Sacked Panther set to find unlikely lifeline
Englishย Super Leagueย club theย Catalan Dragonsย have ramped up their search for NRL-level talent yet again.
The French club, who are reportedly set to officially signย Mitchell Pearceย in the coming weeks should he be let go by theย Newcastle Knightsย after an official release request, now are reported to haveย Tyrone Mayย on their radar.
May could make the move to the south ofย France, potentially alongside Pearce as the club look to fill their quote of international roster spots, as well as find a suitable replacement for the retiringย James Maloney.
FULL STORY: May among the latest to be linked to Super League switch
NRL captain reportedly set to exit club before end of contract
An NRL captain off-contract at the end of 2023 is reportedly being shopped to rival clubs.
According toย aย The Daily Telegraphย report, a captain on a "big-money deal" is unlikely to see out the final year of his contract, being 2023.
That being said, the player will remain with his current team for 2022.
READ MORE: High-profile skipper tipped to depart
Eels set to play long game as contract negotiations drag on
Theย Parramatta Eelsย have reportedly decided they are happy to play the waiting game when it comes to contract offers on the table forย Clint Gutherson,ย Reed Mahoneyย andย Junior Paulo.
The Sydney Morning Herald report that the Eels have removed a Friday deadline on the trio of Paulo, Mahoney and Gutherson to make a decision.
It's understood all three have contract offers on the table, althoughย Reed Mahoney was spotted at dinner with the Bulldogs earlier this week.
READ MORE: Eels push back critical contract deadline
Smith to make detour on return from Queensland
In the two weeks following the November 1 deadline for off-contract players at the end of 2022 to negotiate with rivals, Smith has fielded multiple offers and visited three clubs inย Queensland.
Theย Northย Queenslandย Cowboys, where he was holidaying in Townsville, were his first port of call, before Smith was pictured at both theย Gold Coast Titansย and Dolphins - who are the NRL's newest team - in the past few days.
According to aย Daily Telegraphย report, however, Smith has one more club to visit on the way back to Melbourne, with a visit to Bondi and theย Sydney Roostersย on the agenda.
READ MORE: Smith set for final stopover before Melbourne returnย
Manu set to decide future following offers
He had reportedly fielded offers from multiple clubs across the competition, butย Joseph Manuย is set to stay put at theย Sydney Roosters.
Theย New Zealand Warriorsย were rumoured to be leading the chase for Manu, withย the Dolphinsย and a handful of other clubs also interested, with the Roosters seemingly unlikely to hold Manu.
Despite ongoing reported interest elsewhere, those suggestions are set to fall on deaf ears, with Manu deciding to stay with the Roosters on a two-year extension according to Channel 9sย Danny Weidler.
FULL STORY: Manu set to remain in Bondi
Parramatta star, Cowboys duo reportedly on Dolphinsโ radar
Parramatta star forwardย Junior Pauloย is among the latest names to be linked to NRL newcomersย the Dolphins, while a pair of Cowboys are also understood to be in theย Queenslandย club's sights.
According toย The Australian,ย the Redcliffe-based club have held "informal talks" with Paulo asย the Dolphinsย eye their first big-name signing.
Newly-arrived recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan is sure to eye a long list of Queenslandย talent for 2023, with Northย Queenslandย duoย Reuben Cotterย andย Tom Gilbertย also linked toย the Dolphins.
FULL STORY: Trio of names in newcomer's sights
Dragons fire with young Titan switching clubs
Theย St George Illawarra Dragonsย have reportedly signed one of the game's best young prospects.
Despite recent reports of an exodus of youth talent exiting the club, the famous Red V appear to have now gone the other way by securing Kaden Somerville from the Titans.
It comes following the reported departures of Brad Morkos (to theย Canberra Raiders), and three sons of club legends in Rod Wishart's (who joined the Storm), David Riolo's son (to theย Sydney Roosters) and Brett Rodwell's son (signed by theย Cronulla Sharks).
READ MORE: Dragons ring the changes as Titans talent joins the Red Vย
Knights confirm triple contract boom
Theย Newcastle Knightsย have made substantial waves on the contract front, adding to their depth for 2022 with the re-signing ofย Jack Johns,ย Phoenix Crosslandย andย Chris Randall.
Randall and Johns will move from development deals into the top 30 for the Knights, while Johns extends his time at the club.
READ MORE: Newcastle trio rewarded with new deals
โTheyโll be at Penrith next yearโ: CEO lays law down on rumours of star exit
Rumours surrounding the future ofย Apisai Koroisau,ย Viliame Kikauย andย Dylan Edwardsย won't leave theย Penrith Panthersย alone, but CEO Brian Fletcher has delivered a blunt message to rival clubs.
All of Edwards, Koroisau and Kikau are still contracted to the Panthers for 2022, and with the club chasing a back-to-back premiership, they have no intentions of letting any of the trio exit the foot of the mountains early.
CEO Fletcher toldย Fox Sportsย though that, while clubs can submit offers for 2023, they wouldn't be getting their hands on any of the players for 2022.
FULL STORY: Panthers chief sends warning to circling rivals
Dolphins set to confirm first signing
Whileย the Dolphinsย continue to work away at their first marquee signing, the NRL's newest club have been tipped to reveal their inaugural player in the coming days.
Cameron Munster,ย Kalyn Ponga,ย Clint Gutherson,ย Brandon Smithย andย Patrick Carriganย have all been mentioned as options to become the club's first signing, however, with an eye to the future, new recruitment boss Peter O'Sullivan and coachย Wayne Bennettย have reportedly locked up youngsterย Harrison Grahamย on a development deal,ย according to aย Sydney Morning Heraldย report.
READ MORE: Dolphins set to announce unexpected inaugural signing
