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https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...m/news-story/14508758cd9fe01894438f7999570ae6
Newcastle and the Melbourne Storm are locked in a battle to sign one of the best young forwards in the game.
Gold Coast Titans prop Josiah Pahulu, who made 19 appearances for the Titans last season and has appeared in two games this year, has already visited with the Knights and toured their facilities.
He is expected to do the same with the Storm as he looks to secure a long-term deal away from the Gold Coast next year.
Josiah Pahulu.
Pahulu was a fixture in the Titans side last year but fell out with key officials after they rested him for the last game of the season, costing him the opportunity to earn a bonus payment for making 20 appearances.
The Titans have been unable to convince him to stay and Pahulu looks set to make a decision between the Knights and the Storm. The Storm, in particular, may be on the lookout for middles given they are yet to reach a deal with Tui Kamikamica for next season.
Kamikamica has an option in his deal for 2026 and it is understood rival clubs are keeping an eye on his situation as they weigh up making a move for the Fijian international should he fail to agree fresh terms with the Storm.
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Newcastle back rower Tyson Frizell has appeared on the radar of rival clubs as his future remains up in the air.
Frizell has a mutual option in his contract with the Knights for next season that doesn’t need to be exercised until the back end of June.
Tyson Frizell has appeared on the radar of rival clubs. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
It means the former NSW and Australian forward is technically a free agent at the end of the season.
Sports Confidential understands that some clubs have been made aware that Frizell’s future is yet to be determined to gauge their interest in making a move for the 33-year-old.
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Wests Tigers stars Jarome Luia, Api Koroisau, Kezie Apps and coach Benji Marshall are set to take centre stage in a commercial for major sponsor Pepper Money that will be shown across Foxtel and Kayo this weekend.
The ad, featuring the club’s biggest names, comes amid a dramatic increase in jersey sales and membership revenue this season at the Tigers.
Pepper Money took over as major sponsor this season in a coup for the club and the ad is another sign of how far the Tigers have come over the past 12 months as they marry success off the field with improved results on it.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson said the alignment between club and Pepper Money is more than skin-deep and was the primary reason why the club wanted to get involved in the campaign.
“When we talk about partnerships, this is what we mean,” Richardson said.
“Our players wanted to be involved because we believe in what Pepper Money stands for, helping people and backing them.
“Far from a standard sponsorship moment, this collaboration taps into a shared belief that being helpful in life, means stepping up for others when it matters most.
“That’s what our club is about too, whether that is helping your teammates or the members of our proud community.”
Pepper Money boss Mario Rehayem added: “At Pepper Money, we’re driven by our mission to help people succeed,” Rehayem said.
“To do that well, every aspect of our business – from our people through to the loan options we provide to our customers must deliver on our commitment to being really helpful.”
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North Queensland sensation Jaxon Purdue has an offer on the table from the Cowboys but it is understood he is in no rush to take it up as he prepares for his move to the halves.
Jaxon Purdue is in no rush to make a call on his future. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Purdue has stamped himself as one of the game’s rising stars this season, having started the year in the centres and handled himself with aplomb.
Sports Confidential understands that the Cowboys have tabled a deal for Purdue, who is off contract at the end of next season and free to speak to rival cubs from November 1.
However, his management are in no rush to agree to a new deal as they attempt to get a better gauge of Purdue’s value.
It has skyrocketed this season and his move to five-eighth – where he played most of his junior rugby league – promises to be a game-changer for Purdue.
While the Cowboys are desperate to keep him and Purdue’s preference is to stay at North Queensland, rival clubs are watching closely in the hope that he makes it to November 1.
Newcastle and the Melbourne Storm are locked in a battle to sign one of the best young forwards in the game.
Gold Coast Titans prop Josiah Pahulu, who made 19 appearances for the Titans last season and has appeared in two games this year, has already visited with the Knights and toured their facilities.
He is expected to do the same with the Storm as he looks to secure a long-term deal away from the Gold Coast next year.
Josiah Pahulu.
Pahulu was a fixture in the Titans side last year but fell out with key officials after they rested him for the last game of the season, costing him the opportunity to earn a bonus payment for making 20 appearances.
The Titans have been unable to convince him to stay and Pahulu looks set to make a decision between the Knights and the Storm. The Storm, in particular, may be on the lookout for middles given they are yet to reach a deal with Tui Kamikamica for next season.
Kamikamica has an option in his deal for 2026 and it is understood rival clubs are keeping an eye on his situation as they weigh up making a move for the Fijian international should he fail to agree fresh terms with the Storm.
*****
Newcastle back rower Tyson Frizell has appeared on the radar of rival clubs as his future remains up in the air.
Frizell has a mutual option in his contract with the Knights for next season that doesn’t need to be exercised until the back end of June.
Tyson Frizell has appeared on the radar of rival clubs. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
It means the former NSW and Australian forward is technically a free agent at the end of the season.
Sports Confidential understands that some clubs have been made aware that Frizell’s future is yet to be determined to gauge their interest in making a move for the 33-year-old.
*****
Wests Tigers stars Jarome Luia, Api Koroisau, Kezie Apps and coach Benji Marshall are set to take centre stage in a commercial for major sponsor Pepper Money that will be shown across Foxtel and Kayo this weekend.
The ad, featuring the club’s biggest names, comes amid a dramatic increase in jersey sales and membership revenue this season at the Tigers.
Pepper Money took over as major sponsor this season in a coup for the club and the ad is another sign of how far the Tigers have come over the past 12 months as they marry success off the field with improved results on it.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson said the alignment between club and Pepper Money is more than skin-deep and was the primary reason why the club wanted to get involved in the campaign.
“When we talk about partnerships, this is what we mean,” Richardson said.
“Our players wanted to be involved because we believe in what Pepper Money stands for, helping people and backing them.
“Far from a standard sponsorship moment, this collaboration taps into a shared belief that being helpful in life, means stepping up for others when it matters most.
“That’s what our club is about too, whether that is helping your teammates or the members of our proud community.”
Pepper Money boss Mario Rehayem added: “At Pepper Money, we’re driven by our mission to help people succeed,” Rehayem said.
“To do that well, every aspect of our business – from our people through to the loan options we provide to our customers must deliver on our commitment to being really helpful.”
*****
North Queensland sensation Jaxon Purdue has an offer on the table from the Cowboys but it is understood he is in no rush to take it up as he prepares for his move to the halves.
Jaxon Purdue is in no rush to make a call on his future. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Purdue has stamped himself as one of the game’s rising stars this season, having started the year in the centres and handled himself with aplomb.
Sports Confidential understands that the Cowboys have tabled a deal for Purdue, who is off contract at the end of next season and free to speak to rival cubs from November 1.
However, his management are in no rush to agree to a new deal as they attempt to get a better gauge of Purdue’s value.
It has skyrocketed this season and his move to five-eighth – where he played most of his junior rugby league – promises to be a game-changer for Purdue.
While the Cowboys are desperate to keep him and Purdue’s preference is to stay at North Queensland, rival clubs are watching closely in the hope that he makes it to November 1.
