The 2021 NRL season is finally over, with clubs now placing their attention toward the off-season in order to finalise their rosters for the new year in hope of matching the Panthers' success.
Ex-Bronco lands at Sea Eagles
Formerย Brisbane Broncos' propย Ethan Bullemorย is the latest signature to land at theย Manly Sea Eagles.
Bullemor was released by the Broncos last month amid speculation Manly would be the club to secure the prop's signature.
A young gun who was an important piece off the bench forย Kevin Waltersย in 2021, the former juniorย Queenslandย representative will arrive into a competitive middle third rotation at the Sea Eagles.
READ MORE: Bullemor lands Brookvale move
Bulldogs prop taken off the market
English propย Luke Thompsonย has reportedly been taken off the open market by theย Canterbury Bulldogs.
Speculation surrounding the future of the prop had been rampant during the second half of the 2021 season, with other clubs rumoured to be interested in his services.
In addition to that, a number of high-profile signings, includingย Josh Addo-Carr,ย Matt Dufty,ย Matt Burton,ย Paul Vaughanย andย Tevita Pangai Juniorย have left the Bulldogs needing to shake some of their salary cap.
FULL STORY: Englishman tipped to stay at Belmore
Departing Sharks veteran reportedly finds new home
Axed Cronulla forwardย Aaron Woodsย is understood to be nearing a deal with the St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2022 season.
Woods was among several Sharks veterans to beย notified his services would not be requiredย under incoming coachย Craig Fitzgibbonย for next season, leaving his future in the NRL unclear.
The Eels and Sea Eagles are among clubs that have beenย previously linked to the 30-year-oldย in recent months, who offers 233 games of NRL experience.
READ MORE: Woods on radar of Dragons
Peachey heads Wests
Former Gold Coast Titanย Tyrone Peacheyย has officially signed a two-year deal with theย Wests Tigers.
Peachey was one of six Titans let go by the club at the end of the 2021 season, which includedย Ashley Taylorย andย Mitch Rein.
It's understood the two-year deal is worth somewhere around the $750,000 mark, or roughly $375,000 per season for the ex-Titan.
FULL STORY: Peachey lands Concord move
Theย Manly Sea Eaglesย have confirmed all ofย Curtis Sironen,ย Moses Suli,ย Tevita Funa,ย Jack Gosiewski, andย Zac Saddlerย will depart the club at the end of 2022.
Only Sironen and Funa have their futures sorted, with Sironen heading toย Englandย to play for the St Helens Saints in theย Super League, while the 23-year-old Funa will play for theย New Southย Walesย Waratahs, with theย rugby union club making an official announcement on Wednesday morning.
FULL STORY: Manly confirm list changes for 2022
James Roberts set to be handed NRL last chance deal
Formerย New Southย Walesย State of Origin centreย James Robertsย is reportedly set to be handed a last chance crack at the NRL by theย Wests Tigers.
His contract with the Tigers expires at the end of the 2021 NRL season after the Tigers decided not to take up the club option in their favour for 2022, with Roberts reportedly on a figure close to $500,000 during his time in the top 30.
READ MORE: Final warning offer made to Jimmy the Jet
Storm to farewell 11 players after failed premiership push
Theย Melbourne Stormย have confirmed an enormous list of players will depart the club after they were knocked out in this year's preliminary final.
The departures ofย Dale Finucaneย (Cronulla Sharks),ย Nicho Hynesย (Cronulla Sharks),ย Josh Addo-Carrย (Canterbury Bulldogs),ย Brenko Leeย (Brisbane Broncos),ย Max Kingย (Canterbury Bulldogs),ย Aaron Peneย (New Zealand Warriors) andย Aaron Boothย (Gold Coast Titans) were already known, however, the club have added another four players to the list today.
They are young hookerย Tyson Smoothy, veteran halfย Ryley Jacks, 20-year-old five-eighth and Round 25 debutantย Daniel Atkinson, and the South Australianย Judda Turahui, who was linked with theย Canterbury Bulldogsย last week.
READ MORE: Melbourne officially part ways with 11 players
Bulldogs confirm tenth signing for 2022
Canterbury have confirmed the signing of South Sydney wingerย Braidon Burnsย to a two-year deal.
Burns' signature is the 10th signing for the Bulldogs ahead of the 2022 season, with a bevy of star names venturing to Belmore next year.
Burns brings 40 games of NRL experience toย Trent Barrett's aid for next season, having played as a supporting role for the Rabbitohs across the past five seasons.
FULL STORY: Burns becomes a Bulldog
Rabbitohs confirm ten departing players after grand final loss
Theย South Sydney Rabbitohsย have confirmed ten players will exit the club following their tight grand final loss to theย Penrith Panthersย last Sunday evening.
While it was already announced thatย Adam Reynoldsย (Brisbane Broncos),ย Dane Gagaiย (Newcastle Knights), Jaydn Su'A (St George Illawarra Dragons),ย Braidon Burnsย (Canterbury Bulldogs),ย Joshua Cookย (Canterbury Bulldogs),ย Patrick Magoย (Wigan Warriors) andย Benji Marshallย (retirement) were already leaving the club, the Rabbitohs have also confirmedย Brock Gardner,ย Troy Darganย andย Steven Marstersย are also exiting the club.
READ MORE: Bunnies bid farewell to 10 names
Rabbitohs poised to lose young gun to interstate club
South Sydney youngsterย Brock Gardnerย is tipped to depart Redfern this off-season in favour of a move to the Raiders.
Gardner, who missed the 2021 season with an Achilles injury sustained early in the year, is believed to be in the sights of Canberra ahead of next season.
With the Raiders looking to bolster their attack, Gardner is believed to be on the move to the nation's capital, according to Wide World of Sports' The Mole.ย
FULL STORY: Bunny set to hop to nation's capital
Rivals in the running for Eels second-rower
Theย New Zealand Warriorsย are reportedly first in line to secure Eelย Marata Niukoreย for season 2023 should things fall into place for them.
The 25-year-old wasย rumoured to already be speaking to a host of rival clubsย in the run-in to the November 1 deadline, however, a name has now been put to a potential suitor.
Niukore is a player that Parramatta wish to keep, but their priority as of current is with the likes of Clint Gutherson,ย Junior Pauloย andย Reed Mahoneyย amongst others.
FULL STORY: Parramatta forward continues to gain interestย
Sharks, Warriors set to begin contract battle for rising star
Theย Cronulla Sharksย andย New Zealand Warriorsย have reportedly entered a standoff over boom youngsterย Luke Metcalf.
A revelation at the back end of the 2021 season, Metcalf came into the Sharks side and immediately starred in the halves.
According to anย The Daily Telegraphย report, Metcalf is almost certain to sign on with theย New Zealand Warriorsย for 2023, however, the club want him to join in 2022.
FULL STORY: Metcalf gaining interest from across the Tasman
Warriors release controversial prop for overseas opportunities
Theย New Zealand Warriorsย have officially released propย Kane Evansย from the remainder of his playing contract.
The 29-year-old had originally signed a two-year deal with the Warriors following his time at theย Parramatta Eels. He was due to remain at the club until at least the end of the 2022 season.
However, a statement released by the Warriors on Friday morning confirming the release of Evans said that he had been released by mutual consent to chase opportunities in the Englishย Super League.
READ MORE: Evans set for move abroadย
Journeyman winger set for Broncosโ lifeline
Nene Macdonaldย would appear to be on the cusp of signing a deal with yet another NRL club.
The 27-year-old winger with 98 games of first grade experience under his belt will this Sunday play theย Queenslandย Cup grand final with the Norths Devils.
Having previously played for theย Sydney Roosters,ย Gold Coast Titans,ย St George Illawarra Dragons,ย Northย Queenslandย Cowboys andย Cronulla Sharks, the Papua New Guinean flyer went without an NRL contract this season.
READ MORE: Broncos considering offer to flyer
