Newcastle prop Daniel Saifiti is likely headed to the Dolphins after flying to Queensland on Thursday to meet with club powerbrokers.
The Daily Telegraph reports the former Blues representative is set to pen a multi-year deal with the Queensland club commencing next season despite having two years remaining on his current Knights contract.
The move centres on both clubs agreeing to financial terms for the prop’s release given Saifiti earns a whopping $850,000 a season, with Newcastle expected to chip in around $200,000 to get him off their books.
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The 28-year-old is familiar with incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, who was previously an assistant at Newcastle.
Saifiti’s release is a result of the Knights’ desperation to rebalance their salary cap prompting the club to grant Saifiti permission to look elsewhere.
The Dragons were also keen on him and he undertook a medical with the club before the potential deal fell over as both parties were unable to come to a financial agreement for his release.
The Dolphins could use the help up front next season, with Jesse Bromwich retiring and Tevita Pangai Junior heading to the UK Super League, while Jarrod Wallace has been released.
In addition, the future of gun prop Tom Flegler is under a cloud because of a nerve issue in his shoulder.
COWBOYS MAKE BIG CALL ON RCG
The Cowboys aren’t expected to make a play at out of favour Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, despite once being considered favourites to land the 31-year-old.
According to The Courier Mail, the Cowboys have ruled out signing Campbell-Gillard, citing they wouldn’t be able to afford the Origin front rower.
The Cowboys have opened up plenty of cap room with well-paid centre Val Holmes linking up with the Dragons from next season and halfback Chad Townsend off to the Roosters.
North Queensland will likely try and add another front rower to the mix, considering they are somewhat thin in that position. However, it likely won’t be one at Campbell-Gillard’s price range.
The Eels and incoming coach granted Campbell-Gillard to leave Parramatta at season’s end, with the prop’s management reportedly shopping him to the Cowboys.
One of the Bulldogs and Dragons now m appear most likely to nab the 31-year-old’s services from next season.
BRONCOS MEET WITH RAIDERS STAR
Out of favour Raider Corey Horsburgh is in the Broncos’ sights after meeting with coach Kevin Walters this week.
That is according to the Courier Mail, who report Horsburgh flew to Brisbane on Wednesday to sit down with Broncos powerbrokers.
The fiery 26-year-old signed a $1.7 million extension until the end of 2027 just last year, but patchy form and a reported “communication breakdown” with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has seen him make just three NRL appearances this year.
The Dragons, Tigers and Bulldogs are also keen on Horsburgh, with Brisbane also entering the race to replenish their forward stocks – which took a hit with the departures of Tom Flegler, Kurt Capewell and Keenan Palasia earlier this year.
The Raiders have given him permission to speak with rival clubs but it is understood they will not chip in any of his $550,000 salary should he depart the nation’s Capital.
Horsburgh is said to have struggled after copping a ban late last season that carried over to 2024 that reportedly played on his mind throughout the pre-season, with the Caboolture Snakes junior never getting into gear this campaign.
His discipline has also been questioned after he spent a stint on the sidelines for becoming involved in a brawl while playing in the NSW Cup at the end of June.
“His manager Jeff Jurotte approached the Canberra Raiders and asked for a release and he’s had a really unsettling season,” Daily Telegraph journalist Phil Rothfield recently told Fox League’s NRL 360.
“He’s been suspended a couple of times and has had injury problems and he’s only played two or three first grade games.
“He’s had some sort of falling out with Ricky Stuart I think there has been a communication breakdown there…handy forward on his day but he’s got to get himself right and offer a bit more than he has in the national capital.”
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TIGERS MEET WITH DRAGONS GUN
The Tigers have reportedly met with Dragons gun Jack Bird, expressing their interest in signing the versatile star on a multi-year contract.
That is according to The Daily Telegraph, who are reporting Benji Marshall is in the midst of a roster rebuild armed with $2 million in salary cap space.
Bird reportedly has permission to sit down with rival clubs despite taking up a mutual option to remain at the Red V club in 2025.
Shane Flanagan and Dragons powerbrokers reportedly won’t stand in his way if he finds another contract and are unable to sign him beyond the 2025 season.
While Flanagan reportedly wants to retain him next year, Bird has reportedly garnered interest from a number of clubs after he was granted permission to test the market.
Bird has the ability to play in the forwards, five-eighth and also in the centres with a wealth of experience across 154 games.
Speaking on Wednesday, Marshall explained he is looking to add some experienced figures to his squad, having cap space cleared by the loss of Stefano Utoikamanu to the Storm next year.
“Part of my job as coach and Richo’s as CEO is finding ways to improve and find out what that is,” Marshall said.
“But I think we have a good batch of young guys coming through and what we need is some experience around them a little bit. But we are happy with where we are going.”
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