The Australian's Brent Read reports that a three-player swap between the Broncos, Cowboys and Tigers could be in the works.
North Queensland are reportedly keen to secure 2022 signing Tom Dearden a year early and would be happy to release Knights-bound Jake Clifford prematurely to make it happen.
Dearden is out of favour at the Broncos, having not played since Round 5. And it could open the door for Billy Walters to be released from the Tigers to link up with his dad Kevin at Brisbane.
ORIGIN WATCH: Possible New South Wales Debutants
Read discussed the potential three-player swap on Triple M on Thursday night, expecting to see a flurry of moves over the next month.
“I think the next month is going to be a frenzy of player movement and the Broncos will be at the heart of it,” Read said.
“Tom Dearden has not been sighted for a month or so. I think this is going to be a domino effect. I think next week the Cowboys will ask the question again about Tom Dearden, I suspect they will get him early.
“That will mean Jake Clifford can move to Newcastle and he will almost certainly move straight away. That’ll free up a spot at the Broncos and there’s a young kid named Billy Walters and I think they’ll be asking the question of the Tigers.
“Provided the Broncos are willing to release Tom Dearden and I don’t see why they wouldn’t, the kid isn’t getting a game at the moment. That will set off the chain of events that may lead to Billy Walters join his dad at Broncos this season.”
Don’t know if Billy Walters is a “young kid” at 27?
A lot of these players suggested, are the same players for each club? It must have been a very difficult article to write.
As for the Bulldogs & Tyrone May. So many times they look to sign Panthers, they may as well change colours & go out as the Penrith NSW Cup team.
Footy Fan , don’t see how Nathan Brown is anything like Tyrone May? Although May has played Lock in Canterbury Cup at times. May is more your creative sought of half, who can play centre , hooker or lock. Brown is your forward , who runs hard & sometimes gets a good pass away. Don’t think they are alike or do the same job.
These player swaps will be good for all concerned if they eventuate. The fly in the ointment could be Wests Tigers, who won’t receive a player in return for Billy Walters.