‘Bad business’: Reason for playmaker’s exit; Flanno’s last laugh over Hunt — Transfer Centre

Jayden Sullivan has been released from his contract at the Wests Tigers for the 2025 season to sign with the Rabbitohs, but the deal isn’t as simple as it seems with the playmaker still signed for 2026 and 2027 with the Tigers.

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The club announced last August that Sullivan had signed a four-year deal with them, but the former Dragon played just nine games last season and fell out of favour and was dumped to reserve grade.

There isn’t a spot for him in the halves next year with star recruit Jarome Luai to partner Lachlan Galvin, which is why Sullivan is the second high-profile player in as many days to be released by the Tigers following the club’s decision to let John Bateman sign with the Cowboys.

Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson told The Sydney Morning Herald that club officials had decided it would be “bad business” to pay Sullivan $700,000 a year to play understudy to Jarome Luai.

“The only reason we’ve let Jayden go is because you can’t have him on that money when we’ve signed Jarome,” Richardson said.

“Once we signed Jarome, it was always going to be difficult to carry Jayden on the money he was on. There have been no issues with Jayden, we just couldn’t afford to keep paying him what we were paying him.

“He didn’t start the year well last season, but I will say when Jayden got dropped, nobody put in more than he did in reserve grade. He didn’t drop the bottom lip.

“He’s also come back to pre-season training 12 kilograms lighter. He looks a million dollars, and I’m sure he’ll put pressure on the halves at Souths. We needed room in our cap, and Jayden understood that.”

Sullivan now has an opportunity to develop at the Rabbitohs for the next 12 months before he returns to the Tigers to see out the rest of his deal.

However, if he performs well enough there is a chance Sullivan could land a deal elsewhere, something which Richardson admitted the Tigers were aware of when making the call to release him.

Sullivan will now join Souths where he’ll battle it out with English recruit Lewis Dodd for the right to partner veteran Cody Walker in the halves.

“Jayden is a great talent and we think he can play his best football here at the Rabbitohs under the guidance of Wayne (Bennett),” Rabbitohs head of recruitment and retention Mark Ellison said.

“He was one of the country’s best young talents coming through the junior representative system on the south coast of NSW and has had opportunities to play first grade at the Dragons and Wests.

“He will add to our depth in the five-eighth and halfback positions and we are looking forward to Jayden joining us for pre-season training as we get ready for our premiership charge come March 2025.”

— with Martin Gabor, NCA Newswire

KYLE FLANAGAN EXTENDS WITH DRAGONS

Meanwhile, the Dragons have boosted their halves stocks by signing five-eighth Kyle Flanagan to a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2027 at least.

“The Dragons are pleased to announce the re-signing of Kyle Flanagan through to the end of the 2027 season,” the club said in a statement.

Flanagan joined the Red V ahead of the 2024 season, scoring five tries and 11 goals in 20 games.

“Kyle has been playing in the halves but can also play hooker and is a back-up goal kicker, so he adds value to our team in many ways,” Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said.

“Off the field, he has displayed tremendous professionalism and been a great example for the younger players in our squad so we are happy he’s committed for an additional two years.”

Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan also welcomed the re-signing. The coach was miffed after former Saints halfback Ben Hunt suggested that Clint Gutherson should be brought to the club to fill the No.6 jersey, but Flanagan Jr is now locked in, with former Eel Gutherson an added playmaking threat in the backline alongside fellow recruit Valentine Holmes. Hunt, of course, will be facing off against the Red V after returning to Brisbane in a tense split.

“Kyle was an integral part of our team this year and will continue to be an important player for us moving forward,” Flanagan said.

“He plays his 100th NRL game at the start of next season and his experience and versatility will continue to be an asset for us.

“With Daniel Atkinson joining the club from 2026 that competition for spots across the key spine positions will strengthen the whole squad.”

Flanagan has scored 17 tries and kicked 150 goals in 99 games for the Sharks, Roosters, Bulldogs and Dragons since his debut in 2018.

STORM LOCK UP ENFORCER ON LONG-TERM EXTENSION

The Melbourne Storm have received a boost with star lock Trent Loiero inking a three-year extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2028.

“Melbourne Storm has extended the contract of forward Trent Loiero until the end of the 2028 season,” The Storm said in a statement.

The Kawana Dolphins junior played for the Sunshine Coast Falcons and was part of Storm’s Sunshine Coast Academy before making his NRL debut for the Club in Round 4 of the 2021 season and has since played 75 games in the purple jersey.

The contract extension comes after Loiero produced a career-best season in 2024 where he established himself as a key member of the Storm forward pack.

He appeared in 26 matches, including his first Grand Final, and was called up to the Queensland Maroons State of Origin squad for the first time.

The 23-year-old was recognised with the Most Improved Player of the Year Award at the 2024 Melbourne Storm Player of the Year Awards.

“I have loved my time at the Storm and I’m excited to re-sign for a few more years,” Loiero said.

“Having been here since the age of 17 and to now extend my contract until 2028 is a special feeling and I can’t wait to see what our group can achieve together.

“We made great progress last season, but everyone is working hard to make sure we improve and go one better next year.”

Storm Director of Football Frank Ponissi said the retention of Loiero was an important one for the Club.

“Trent enjoyed a fantastic season in 2024 and was tremendously consistent. We’re incredibly pleased to extend his contract and view him as a key asset to our forward pack in the next few years,” Ponissi said.

DRAGONS POACH SHARKS PLAYMAKER

The Dragons have confirmed Sharks halfback Daniel Atkinson will join the club on a three-year deal at the start of the 2026 season.

“The St George Illawarra Dragons are thrilled to announce the signing of Daniel Atkinson on a three-year contract from the start of the 2026 season,” the club said in a statement.

A Brisbane native, Atkinson made his NRL debut with the Storm in Round 25, 2021 before making the move to the Sharks in 2023.

He also represented Italy at the Rugby League World Cup in 2022 where he starred across a trio of matches.

The soon-to-be 24-year-old is fresh off a year in which he made 19 NRL appearances scoring five tries and assisting on four others.

“We’re really happy to be welcoming Daniel to the club in 2026,” Head Coach Shane Flanagan said.

“He’s a classy player who has shown an ability to cover multiple positions as well as a strong competitor who will come in and improve our squad as a whole.

“We have a big year ahead with a squad which will improve further in 2025 and look forward to welcoming Daniel for the 2026 season.”

SHARKS LOCK UP GUN BACK-ROWER WITH EXTENSION

The Sharks have received a boost with star back-rower Teig Wilton inking a contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2027.

“Continuing an exciting retention spree, the Sharks have locked down second-rower Teig Wilton on a new two-year deal until the end of 2027,” the club said in a statement.

Wilton has joined Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikora, Liam Ison and captain Cameron McInnes in recommitting to the club after a strong 2024 campaign.

The 25-year-old, who was already under contract for the upcoming season, has played 85 NRL matches since debuting for Cronulla in Round 11 of 2020.

“It was an easy decision for me. I knew if the club wanted to have me I was definitely going to stay,” Wilton said after inking his extension on Wednesday.

“Cronulla’s home to me; it has been since I started my football journey here. I can’t see myself any place else. I love the club, I love the area and I love the whole crew we’ve got here.

“I’m very excited for what’s to come in the next few years.”

Sharks General Manager Football Darren Mooney said: “Teig is an integral part of our future. He’s become a mainstay on our left edge and has been identified as a long-term leader, having filled in as captain earlier this year.

“With almost 100 games under his belt now, Teig is a seasoned first grader whose best is yet to come. We’re very happy to have retained him and several other key players heading into 2025.”

Hailing from Narooma on the NSW south coast, Wilton has progressed through Cronulla’s junior system after first playing in Sharks colours at an under-18 SG Ball level in 2017.

He skippered the Sharks to their first Jersey Flegg Cup premiership in 2018 and had the honour of leading the NSW under 20s the following season.

Wilton made 23 NRL appearances this year, scoring five tries while averaging 33 tackles and 104 running metres to help the Sharks reach a preliminary final.

The forward has lofty ambitions for 2025 and beyond.

“I’ve got a premiership on my mind,” Wilton said.

“That’s the main thing on my mind for this club with our group. I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t at the forefront of my mind.”

BATEMAN RELEASE BY TIGERS TO JOIN COWBOYS

John Bateman has been released from the final two years of his Tigers deal to join the Cowboys.

“The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have agreed to a two-year contract with English International forward John Bateman for the 2025-26 seasons,” the club said in a statement.

Bateman joins the Cowboys after securing an early release from the Wests Tigers.

After a prolific Super League career, which began as a 17-year-old with Bradford in 2011, Bateman moved to the NRL with the Canberra Raiders in 2019.

He won Dally M Second Rower of the Year in his debut season with the Raiders, before heading back to England following the 2020 campaign.

Bateman returned to the NRL with the Wests Tigers prior to the 2023 season.

In total, the 31-year-old has appeared in 219 Super League games and a further 66 in the NRL. He won Super League titles in 2016 and 2018 as well as a Challenge Cup with the Wigan Warriors.

Bateman has registered 26 appearances for England and represented Great Britain on four occasions.

“We have been in the market for an experienced forward with the ability to play either in the middle or on an edge,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.

“John bases his game around defensive intent and willingness to compete in every situation – a couple of areas we’ve made no secret we want to improve significantly on in 2025.

“Along with what he does on the field, we also believe he will be a valuable mentor for our younger forwards in Heilum Luki, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.”

The Tigers confirmed Bateman’s release in a statement.

Wests Tigers has released John Bateman from the remaining two years of his contract, paving the way for a new deal at North Queensland Cowboys.

Bateman played 32 NRL games for Wests Tigers in two seasons after joining the club on a four-year-deal ahead of the 2023 season.

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has thanked Bateman for his services.

“On behalf of everyone at the club I want to thank John and wish him all the very best with his future.”

DOLPHINS LOCK UP BOOM BACK-ROWER WITH EXTENSION

The Dolphins have locked up boom back-rower Connelly Lemuelu with a two-year contract extension keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2027.

“The Dolphins have secured another key piece of their forward pack, with back-rower Connelly Lemuelu committing to the club for at least another two seasons,” the club said in a statement.

Lemuelu, who joined the Dolphins for their inaugural NRL campaign, has been a regular fixture for the club with 41 games over two seasons and is signed until the end of the 2026 NRL season.

The 26-year-old leads a promising crop of second-row talent at the Dolphins, including Kulikefu Finefeuaki, Oryn Keeley, and James Walsh.

Together, they form a dynamic and competitive forward rotation, highlighting the squad’s growing depth and potential.

Lemuelu’s contract extension comes as the Dolphins ramp up preparations for the 2025 season under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Kristian Woolf.

“Connelly is the type of person we want to continue to build the club around,” Woolf said.

“I look forward to watching him continue to develop into the high-level back-rower we know he can become.”

Lemuelu has scored 12 tries in 65 NRL games for the Dolphins and Cowboys since his debut in 2020 and has played one Test for Samoa to date.

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