Storm star Jonah Pezet is set to decide after a holiday whether to take up lucrative deals with the Eels, Cowboys or Melbourne amid a three horse race for his prized signature.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Pezet will decide his future after a family holiday in the next week between moving to the Eels or Cowboys or staying put in Melbourne.
Pezet is hottest playmaker on the open market after Jahrome Hughes’ new deal triggered a get-out clause in his Storm contract.
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The star halfback is torn between staying loyal to Melbourne and chasing more opportunities in first grade at the Cowboys and Eels and will use his holiday to make his final decision.
Several other clubs, including the Perth Bears and the Dragons, have expressed their interest in signing Pezet.
Sources suggest Pezet would prefer to stay at the Storm if he can start in the halves next season, which will be difficult with Hughes and Cameron Munster signed long-term.
However, the uncertainty around teammate Ryan Papenhuyzen’s future means Pezet will likely have to make a call on his future before the likes of the Storm fullback and Munster, who has been linked to rugby union and the Perth Bears, make calls on their futures.
Pezet recently decided not to take up a contract option to stay at the Storm and doesn’t have a deal beyond November 1.
The Eels and coach Jason Ryles, who was formerly an assistant at the Storm, see Pezet as a long-term halves partner for Mitchell Moses.
The Cowboys also want to pair Pezet with their captain and Origin and Kangaroos star Tom Dearden in a new look halves pairing.
Pezet is also considering a one year deal at a rival club before returning to the Storm if Papenhuyzen and Munster move on.
If Papenhuyzen moves on, Munster could move to fullback and allow Pezet to partner Hughes in the halves, but it remains to be seen if the Maroons captain wants to play in the No.1 full-time.
The Eels have the salary cap space to sign Pezet in 2026, despite Ryan Matterson returning to the club after a stint in the Super League.
Matterson is on $600,000 at the Eels, but they are willing to pay half of that if another club can pick him up.
FORMER DRAGONS STAR TARGETS NRL RETURN
Former Dragons playmaker Junior Amone is reportedly eyeing a return to the NRL, with his agent reaching out to clubs to garner interest.
According to the SMH, Mario Tartak, who represents Amone, sent an email to a host of teams to inform them his intensive correction order comes to an end next week.
Following an ugly rooftop hammer attack on a Wollongong tradesman, Amone’s NRL contract was terminated in 2023.
He was handed the two-year court-imposed correction order after being found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking or intimidation, and destroying or damaging property.
“I wanted to bring one of my clients to the forefront; Junior Amone, who completes his Intensive Correction Order (ICO) on 25 October 2025,” Tartak wrote in an email.
“This means Junior will be eligible to reapply for registration to play in the NRL. In the meantime, Junior has maintained his fitness and competitive edge by playing rugby for Kiama, where he recently helped his team win the grand final.
“Junior has already played 54 NRL games and represented Tonga in 3 Test matches before being stood down.
“He is an exceptionally talented half who is eager for an opportunity to get back into the game as he is also only 23 years old.
“If you’re interested in discussing Junior’s return or potential opportunities for the upcoming season, please let me know. I’d be happy to arrange a chat as we prepare for the pre-season in November.”
Amone hasn’t played in the NRL since the end of the 2023 season but reportedly has clubs interested in his services.
The talented five-eighth has been working as a concreter during his time away from the game, while also completing his court-ordered community service programs.
Amone’s father was jailed for two years and six months after the incident, with a non-parole period of 12 months after the pair used hammers to attack a tradesman.
The dispute reportedly centred around a vehicle parked on a nature strip of a Warrawong home.
TITANS MAKE SAMI CALL
Phillip Sami is set to remain at the Titans, with incoming coach Josh Hannay reportedly revealing he wants the gun flyer to stay at the club in 2026.
According to AAP, Sami’s manager Paul Hogan spoke to Hannay, hoping to clear the air regarding his client’s future.
Multiple reports emerged Sami had been given permission to negotiate with rivals and depart the Gold Coast club, despite his current contract running until the end of the 2026 season.
“We were never at any stage given formal permission by the Titans to negotiate with other clubs for next year,” Hogan said.
“Phil has had several conversations with Josh Hannay about 2026 and Josh made it clear he wanted him at the club.
“I spoke with Josh yesterday and he reiterated to me that he wanted Phil on board.
“The other key point in all of this is that Phil is really looking forward to being coached by Josh and taking his game to another level.”
Sami is free to negotiate with rivals for the 2027 season on November 1, and it remains to be seen if his time on the Gold Coast will be extended.
Since being hired as Titans coach, Josh Hannay has already made a host of roster moves, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Carter Gordon all departing.
Meanwhile, David Fifita is also set to make the move to the Rabbitohs, with negotiations ongoing surrounding his switch.
TIGERS’ NO.1 RESERVATIONS
Tigers star Jahream Bula could be headed for the exit at the end of next season amid reports the club isn’t keen to activate the fullback’s mutual option for 2027.
The 23-year-old will earn approximately $700,000 in 2026 but if both parties agree to the mutual option for 2027, that figure could go up to as much as $900,000.
However, at this stage, the Tigers may not be willing to trigger the option, according to the SMH’s Michael Chammas.
“If you asked me to make a bold prediction for 2026, I think Jahream Bula could depart the club,” Chammas said on Triple M podcast The Journos.
“I don’t think there’s an appetite from the Wests Tigers to activate his trigger at $800,000.
“I actually agree, I don’t think he’s worth that.”
Bula is represented by controversial player agent Isaac Moses. It’s well known that Moses’ relationship with the Tigers is shaky at best.
Moses also represents Lachlan Galvin, who forced a mid-season exit from the Tigers this year to join the Bulldogs.
“His agent is seeking expressions from rival clubs, his agent being Isaac Moses,” Chammas continued.
“The way it works is if Jahream wants to stay at the Tigers, it’ll cost them $900,000 but if he’s not doing that well, he’s got a safety net and the Tigers can pick him up at $800,000
“However, if neither party triggers the option, he becomes a free agent. I think that’s what will happen. He will look around first before he triggers his option because the Tigers won’t trigger his.”
Channel 9 lead rugby league reporter Danny Weidler asked if there’s a chance Bula could join the Bulldogs to “play with Lachlan Galvin”.
“Maybe,” Chammas replied.
‘I’m not saying anything is done or happening but the Tigers are rightfully baulking at the $800k trigger.”
EX-STORM BEAST EYES CODE SWITCH
Former Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona says a code switch to rugby union is well and truly on the table as he plots out his next career move.
Asofa-Solomona was granted a release from the final two years of his contract with the Storm to “explore new opportunities”.
The 29-year-old, who was earning $850,000 a season, played in 215 games and won two premierships with the Storm, but ill-discipline saw him fall out of favour with Craig Bellamy.
The hulking Kiwi front rower is preparing for this weekend’s Pacific Championships opener with New Zealand hosting Samoa in Auckland on Sunday.
Ahead of that clash, Asofa-Solomona spoke on New Zealand radio to give some insight into what his playing future looks like.
“I’m pretty blessed to have some options … I could not tell you what I’m going to do,” he told radio station Newstalk ZB.
“I need to sit down, write things out, and make a sound decision, but I’m not closing the door on league or rugby.”
Asofa-Solomona admitted that breakaway rugby union competition R360 have approached him, but like several other players in a similar boat, he’s “waiting to see how that unfolds”.
“It’s been a long journey with the Storm since 2011. But it’s time for something fresh, the next chapter,” he said.
“I have been approached by R360 and that’s the option I’m blessed with but what everyone is waiting for is to see how it unfolds … It’s more of just a waiting game.
“It [rugby] is an option but then again I love the game of rugby league – it’s so exciting – that’s what I love about the game.”
PANTHER ON THE MOVE
Daine Laurie is reportedly set to sign a multi-year deal to join the Raiders, snubbing an approach from a Sydney rival in the process.
According to Code Sports, the Bulldogs were also interested in Laurie’s services, with a potential reunion with former Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo on the cards.
However, Laurie will instead make the move to the nation’s capital, giving Ricky Stuart a versatile option to deputise for Kaeo Weekes at fullback.
The former Panthers and Tigers gun can also play in the halves and the outside backs, having tallied 76 NRL games to date since making his debut in 2020.
Laurie will reportedly join his new teammates next month as he gears up for a tough pre-season under Stuart.
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NRL NAB TWO RISING RUGBY UNION STARS
The Rabbitohs have reportedly launched a rugby raid, signing one of the All Blacks’ top prospects in back rower Saumaki Saumaki.
Saumaki will make the switch to the 13-man code ahead of the 2026 season, having spent this year playing in the Super Rugby under 20s competition for the Crusaders.
South Sydney powerbrokers reportedly received glowing reports from their scouts across the Tasman which prompted them to pounce on the rising star.
“All the mail we got on him was outstanding and we thought he was worth a go,” Souths chief executive Blake Solly said.
“He played for New Zealand Schoolboys in rugby and you have to be pretty good to do that.”
Saumaki was also eligible to play for the New Zealand school boys team once again in 2026 and also graduated from renowned nursery Nelson College.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have also secured the signature of another highly rated Crusaders prospect in Harry Inch.
The 19-year-old flyhalf has been granted a release from the Crusaders’ system to link up with the Warriors.
Like Saumaki, Inch trained with the Crusaders’ top squad this pre-season and represented the under 20s side.
The departure of both players have been confirmed by the Tasman Rugby Union.
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