The Broncos have rejected a release request fromback-up fullback Tristan Sailor to take up a lucrative deal with the Leigh Leopards in the UK Super League.
The Daily Telegraph reported the Broncos want to keep Sailor as a back-up to Reece Walsh after he signed an extension with Brisbane through until the end of the 2025 season.
Sailor had been linked to Leigh as far back as September 2023, but the lucrative deal was contingent on the Broncos granting him an immediate release.
Sailor was outstanding as a fill-in for Walsh in four games last season and his versatility means he can cover multiple backline position should injuries strike.
The Broncos are bidding to avenge last year’s Grand Final heartbreak and know they need depth to challenge for the title again in 2024.
The 25-year-old has scored one try in nine NRL games since his debut for the Dragons in 2019.
However, Sailor’s path to regular first grade is blocked by Walsh and halves Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds.
Sailor is the son of club legend Wendell Sailor, who won multiple premierships for the Broncos during his illustrious rugby league career.
BULLDOGS MOVE ON ROOSTER
The Canterbury Bulldogs have reportedly tabled a multi-year deal to lure breakout Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May to Belmore in 2025.
The Daily Telegraph reported the Bulldogs have earmarked May as a potential solution to their front row dilemma after Tevita Pangai Jr and Luke Thompson left the club.
The Bulldogs also missed out on signing veteran Sio Siua Taukeiaho due to medical reasons.
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Panthers prepare to face Wigan in UK | 01:00
May’s management has been shopping him around with an asking price of $500,000 a season as he comes off-contract in 2024.
May revealed he would sign with a club in a heartbeat if it meant playing with brothers Taylan and Tyrone, who both rose to fame with the Panthers.
The latter is currently playing in the UK Super League with Hull KR, while Taylan is on the comeback trail after missing the 2023 season with the Panthers due to injury.
“I want to be honest here, my talks are with whoever wants to sign us three brothers, that’s where I want to be,” May told The Bloke In A Bar podcast.
“Robbo (Roosters coach Trent Robinson) knows too. I haven’t hid it from him. Whichever club wants three brothers, that’s where I’ll be at.
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“We are all off at the same time. That’s the preference, if a club can get all three of us, I’ll sign there in a heartbeat no matter what. I think everyone would.
“If you have two brothers you could be at the same club with, I think you’d want to be there no matter the situation.’’
The Bulldogs have signed 10 new players for 2024 and are open to signing May’s brothers in the future, but at this stage are only interested in Terrell May.
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The Roosters are keen to keep May, but have a salary cap squeeze with representative forwards Brandon Smith, Lindsay Collins, and Spencer Leniu and rising stars Siua Wong and Naufahu Whyte all locked up beyond 2024.
The 24-year-old played 17 of his 26 NRL games for the Roosters last season after breaking into the forward rotation.
May debuted for the Roosters in 2022, playing nine games in his inaugural campaign with the Bondi club.
AJ Brimson makes transition to centres | 00:53
MANLY REJECT DRAGONS’ BID TO SIGN FLYER
The Dragons are reportedly keen to lure Manly winger Christian Tuipulotu to the club, but the Sea Eagles have baulked at releasing him from his contract.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Dragons are trying to sign Tuipulotu to help bolster their outside backs stocks.
The interest in Tuipulotu comes after new recruit Corey Allan looks set to miss the entire 2024 season due to an ACL injury.
The 22-year-old is currently under contract at Manly until at least the end of the 2025 season, meaning the Dragons need permission from the Sea Eagles to recruit him.
Tuipulotu has scored 14 tries in 33 NRL games for the Sea Eagles, which includes his one game for the Roosters in his debut season in 2020.
In a breakout season in 2022 Tuipulotu scored 11 tries in 19 games, but could only manage two in 12 games in his first campaign under Anthony Seibold in 2023.
However, Manly and Seibold are reportedly not interested in offloading the winger, despite having Jason Saab and Reuben Garrick as their starters on the flank.
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