The Dragons are reportedly expecting Zac Lomax to put in an immediate request for a release and are set to pour cold water on any potential move this year.
That is according to The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis who believes the gun outside back could instead depart in 2025.
Initially, when Lomax approached Red V bosses regarding a potential exit they delayed discussions for four weeks, with the date looming after Round 4.
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“The Dragons aren’t going to let him go for nothing this year, and they aren’t going to chip in a significant amount of his wage to go play elsewhere in the next couple years,” Carayannis said on SEN.
“The Dragons are of the belief that Lomax will ask for an immediate release and the Dragons have no intention to release Zac Lomax immediately.”
However, the Eels are reportedly interested in his services and there’s one way the Dragons would let the star flyer depart.
“Parramatta are circling, The only way the Dragons would release him this year is if they could get something significant in terms of a player,” Carayannis added.
“It does open the door for him to leave at the end of this year and they may not need a player in return, just the fact that if someone is willing to pick up most or all of his $800,000.”
TURUVA ON THE MOVE
Panthers flyer Sunia Turuva is set to sit down with rival NRL clubs, placing himself on the open market after negotiations with the Penrith club fell flat.
The SMH is reporting Panthers bosses reportedly tabled him a deal worth $350,000 per-season and can’t increase the deal due to salary cap limitations.
The reigning premiers have recently re-signed Taylan May and Izack Tago and have reportedly handed Paul Alamoti a new deal beyond 2024.
Turuva, who is without a deal past the 2024 season, could reportedly field offers worth around $500,000 by rival clubs.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout year in 2023 and won the Dally M Rookie of the Year, however he’s eyeing a switch to fullback.
Salary cap pressures have seen several players depart the foot of the mountain in recent years, namely Viliame Kikau, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai at the end of this season.
Penrith reportedly also are in the middle of negotiations with hooker Mitch Kenny who has been a target of the Dragons.
BRONCOS EYEING COWBOYS GUN
Cowboys back rower Jack Gosiewski has reportedly asked for a release from the club on compassionate grounds, with the Broncos keen to add the 29-year-old.
According to News Corp, Gosiewski has asked for the release to be closer to his ill mother.
The news of Gosiewski’s request comes just a day before the Broncos and Cowboys clash in the Queensland Derby on Good Friday.
The Broncos have been one of the most injury-riddled teams in the NRL this season, especially in their forwards.
Brendan Piakura and Payne Haas are both expected to miss the next month of football, with winger Corey Oates named on the bench for the Cowboys clash to play minutes in the back row.
Gosiewski has fallen behind teammates Sam McIntyre and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the pecking order, but will make his second appearance of the season having been named on the bench to face Brisbane.
He played 23 minutes off the bench against the Dragons last week, making 12 tackles and running for 46 metres in a solid stint.
Gosiewski has played in 64 NRL games for four teams since debuting in 2016.
RTS to make return to fullback! | 00:56
DRAGONS’ HUGE BOOST AS ORIGIN REP SAYS HE’D ‘LOVE TO STAY’
Former Queensland Origin star Jaydn Su’A is hopeful of staying with the Dragons despite rumours of a reunion with his former coach Wayne Bennett.
Su’A is off-contract at the end of 2024 and reports suggested he was keen on reuniting with Bennett, who coached him at Souths and for his Queensland Origin debut.
However, Su’A told AAP that he is excited by the Dragons rebuild under Shane Flanagan and is hopeful of earning a contract extension.
“I’d love to stay because I love the club. It’s been a pretty tough two-and-a-bit years and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Su’A told AAP.
“It’s a week-by-week thing. I played s**t the other week (against the Dolphins), so it was bad timing.
“It’s just important to be winning games and turning up.
“The club won’t lose the player that they want to keep. If I’m that player, then I’m sure I’ll be here.”
Bennett is leaving the Dolphins at the end of the season with rumours he could return to South Sydney if Jason Demetriou is sacked.
Su’A revealed he is close to Bennett, but won’t be chasing a reunion with the master coach.
“I’ve got the ultimate respect for him. He gave me my club debut, my Origin debut,” Su’A said.
“I was struggling in Brisbane when he left and he told me to come down and said he would turn me into the player he knew I could be.
“Two years later I was playing in a grand finals, I was playing in Origin. I have a lot of respect for him and I trust him.
“But no one knows what he’s going to be doing and I’m definitely not holding my eggs in that basket.”
The 26-year-old has scored 17 tries in 117 games for the Broncos, Souths and Dragons since his debut in 2016 and has played four Origins for Queensland and eight Tests for Samoa to date.
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Cleary could only miss one week | 01:03
“I haven’t had any contact with Eddie [Jones]. I had a bit of exposure with the Brumbies last year, and it was good to see the professional systems in place with rugby union and compare them to the professional systems in place in rugby league.
“Who knows, maybe down the line … but it would definitely be with New Zealand. I was born in New Zealand and spent my first nine or 10 years in New Zealand. All I wanted to be was an All Black. I’d never close that door.”
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