Day 1 of the Fire Sale
From Fox. … nothing that interesting, other than The Warriors are close to signing Paasi (would have loved him coming off the bench for the WTs). and someones after utility William Zillman for 2018\. Did someone say we are after a utility?
NRL PREMIERSHIP
Nathan Ryan
November 1, 2017 6:00am
NATHAN RYAN@nath_ryan
Source: FOX SPORTS
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From transfers, new deals and retirements.
EDDY BACK TO ENGLAND
After spending the past three seasons on the Gold Coast, the 29-year-old is set to return to England with Wigan one club interested in his services. The journeyman has enjoyed stints with the Rabbitohs, Tigers, Wigan and Titans over his 11 year career. While a deal to return to the Warriors is in the pipelines, it isn’t by any means finalised, which is why Pettybourne is using the Rugby League World Cup as one last opportunity to impress potential suitors. As a senior member of the Hawks, Pettybourne is hoping recruitment officials from abroad will get a glimpse of what he can produce over the tournament
Pettybourne isn’t the only player looking to move overseas with St George Illawarra playmaker Drew Hutchison signing a deal with Leigh.
The playmaker has signed a two-year-deal with the Centurions.
Newcastle prop Pauli Pauli is poised to move to England.
Tipping the scales at 125 kilos, the 23-year-old is on the verge of signing a deal with Wakefield in the Super League.
Having started his career with Parramatta in 2014, Pauli moved to the Knights in 2016 but a dislocated hip due to a car accident this year kept him out of the NRL side in 2017.
EELS RESHAPE LIST
Parramatta have six players from their top list still off-contract for next season, with only one likely to be retained.
That man is Frank Pritchard.
Turning 34 on Friday, the Eels will wait and see how the backrower’s body pulls up after his duties with Samoa in the World Cup wrap up before offering him a 12-month extension.
Reserve grade players John Folau, Cody Nelson, Scott Schulte, Honeti Tuha and Matthew Woods have all been cut.
These men will be replaced by Holden Cup players ready to make the jump to the full-time squad.
SEA EAGLES LOSE JUNIOR SKIPPER
South Sydney have landed Manly 20s skipper Jesse Martin.
The lock-hooker led their NYC side to premiership glory against Parramatta a few weeks back but will leave the Sea Eagles for a new start.
The Queanbeyan Blues junior averaged 99.2 running metres and 36.4 tackles per game last season over 25 appearances for the Sea Eagles.
SOUTHS ADD DEPTH
South Sydney have signed Newcastle winger Jacob Gagan.
Cronulla’s 2014 Rookie of the Year, Gagan’s career was stalled due to a freakish lower leg injury.
With eight top grade games to his name and four years as part of the NRL system, Gagan leaves the Knights after one season.
He’ll join fellow Knight Jack Stockwell in the Burrow next year.
Stockwell has made a verbal agreement with the Rabbitohs, although he’s yet to sign the paperwork as he’s currently overseas on his honeymoon.
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ROOSTERS SECURE HALVES FUTURE
The Roosters are succession planning in the spine.
Market Watch can reveal the club has re-signed young half Jake Hazard for another two seasons as they put a long-term strategy for sustained success into place.
A graduate of their SG Ball side, Hazard was off-contract this year and has caught the attention of several clubs but the Tricolours have won the race to his signature.
Hazard was a member of the victorious NSW under-18s side who beat the Queensland side 35-28 in the curtain raiser for Origin II.
At 18, Hazard has a bright future in the game and is considered a long-term project for the Roosters, potentially as a future hooker.
Hazard is currently recovering from a season-ending knee (ACL) injury.
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SEA EAGLES EXTEND BOOM ROOKIE
Manly have re-signed Holden Cup fullback Jade Anderson.
The NYC gun has inked a two-year development deal after a successful season which finished with a courageous 20s grand final victory.
Anderson finished 2017 with 16 tries in 21 appearances and averaged 112.7 running metres per game.
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The Warriors hope to finalise their player list by November 30 with Blake Green and Agnatius Paasi two of the final cogs.
The Warriors are close to signing Paasi on a two-year-deal with the lock seeking a release from the Titans on compassionate grounds.
Having re-signed Albert Vete for another two seasons, the club has not re-sign Matt Allwood or Ofahiki Ogden. the club is also considering bringing former Rooster Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck into the squad.
They’re looking at giving him a development deal after the winger returned home to New Zealand where he is living with his older brother Roger.
SHHHHHHHH
Which NRL club is considering handing Titans utility William Zillman a contract for 2018?
SHHHHHHHH II
Who is on the verge of signing South Sydney utility Sitiveni Moceidreke?
Able to play wing, centre, fullback and five-eighth, Moceidreke is currently representing Fiji in the World Cup.
Here’s a hint - this club is not based out of Sydney. They aren’t based out of Queensland either.