Blues utility Connor Watson could be on the move after being granted permission by the Roosters to speak with rival clubs.
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This is not a simple matter of Watson no longer being wanted at the club.
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According to Code Sports, the Roosters have just told Watson that if he can find a long-term deal at another team they would give him their blessing to leave early.
Watson is currently contracted until the end of 2027 and has been linked with the Manly Sea Eagles and PNG Chiefs.
The 29-year-old has scored 34 tries in 171 games for the Roosters and Knights since his debut in 2016 and has played five Origins for the Blues.
DOLPHINS FLYER REJECTS DRAGONS OFFER
The Dragons have suffered another recruitment blow with Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller rejecting an offer to join the embattled NRL club.
Channel 9’s Danny Weidler reported Fuller informed the Dragons of his decision not to take up their offer, but Scott Drinkwater remains a target for Shane Flanagan and the club.
Turning 29, today, Fuller has scored seven tries in 17 games for the Dolphin since his debut in 2023, but has been stuck behind Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the pecking order.
The Dragons were hopeful of luring Fuller to the club to play fullback, with Clint Gutherson tipped to change positions to the centres or wing.
Tyrell Sloan will play fullback this weekend against Manly, but is on the outer at the club and has been told he is free to explore his options elsewhere.
Drinkwater is now the Dragons’ prime target at fullback, given he is on the outer at the Cowboys and unlikely to be re-signed beyond his deal which expires in 2027.
COWBOYS GUN SET TO INK $3M EXTENSION
The Cowboys are reportedly set to ward off rival clubs in the race for Jaxon Purdue by locking up the young gun on a $3 million mega deal.
The Daily Telegraph reported Purdue and his management have agreed to terms with the Cowboys on a $3 million extension.
Purdue is off-contract in 2026 and has been free to negotiate with rivals from November 1 last year, with the Storm, Bulldogs and Bears interested in his services, with Mal Meninga a big fan of the youngster.
The 20-year-old has scored 20 tries in 37 games since his debut in 2024 and has starred at centre, while also showing his versatility in spending time at five-eighth and fullback.
His performances have sparked plenty of interest in rival clubs, but the Cowboys have got their man with the Cowboys set to re-sign him on a four-year deal worth $3 million until the end of 2030.
Purdue and the Cowboys were at odds over finances, but have reportedly come to an agreement on a deal worth a reported $750,000 a season.
“I’d say (it’s my preference), I love the Cowboys, and I grew up here,” Purdue told reporters this week.
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“I don’t really want to wait too much longer, but saying that I’m in no real rush.
“It is my first negotiations as a first-grader. Pre-season there was a bit of media and noise about it all.
“But I just focus on my game, and I let my game do the talking. All that stuff’s going to happen if I’m playing good.
“Mum and Dad were massive Cowboys fans, so I used to play Saturday mornings in Mackay, and then get in the car and drive four hours up to watch the Cowboys play.”
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Purdue has been earmarked as a potential fullback in the future, with Scott Drinkwater no guarantee to stay beyond his current deal, which expires in 2027.
However, Purdue is content to play in the centres for now.
“It was pretty hard at the start,” Purdue said of playing in the centres.
“The hardest part was probably the yardage carries and the tough carries coming out of your own end. You don’t touch the ball as much.
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“You’ve just got to adjust, and what’s best for the team right now is me playing in the centres, so I’m happy to play there.
“But I’m just running the ball, and I feel free. So I think that’s the biggest strength of my game, and I want to keep doing that. I’m really enjoying playing in the centres.”
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