Stars at risk in Eels shake-up; Roosters’ $1m plot to stop Walker raid
The Sydney Roosters have opened talks with NSW State of Origin weapon Spencer Leniu about signing a long-term deal to solidify the club’s front row forward stocks.
The Blues State of Origin enforcer has proven an astute buy for the Chooks despite a rocky start where the firebrand forward was suspended for eight weeks.
With champion prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves set to depart after 15 years as the Alpha forward in the Roosters engine room the Tricolours intend to ensure Leniu remains at the Moore Park-based club until at least the end of 2028.
No forward will be able to emulate what JWH has done for the Chooks for the past 15 seasons but in Leniu, Lindsay Collins and Terrell May the Roosters will still field a representative engine room capable of competing with the other big gun sides in the competition.
Leniu is expected to command a significant bump-up on his current deal of $525,000 per season which runs through until the end of 2025.
The Roosters are also crunching the numbers on how to best handle the Sam Walker negotiations.
At this stage the Chooks have offered Walker a two-year extension valued at a tick over $1.8 million.
But they’re also considering making a longer-term offer of up to five years which would mean Walker is paid over $1 million towards the back end of the deal.
Walker, 22, has found his groove at the Roosters this season with the club determined to try and strike a new contract prior to November 1 when rival clubs can enter the equation.
Incoming Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has wasted no time in getting in touch with the Eels playing roster as he looks to try and unscramble what’s fast become a train wreck of a season.
There’s no question there’s going to be some major changes at the Eels with the club currently looking at trying to move on a number of players.
The names we’ve heard are Maika Sivo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson but at this early stage there’s nothing set in stone.
The Sivo play has been ongoing for a couple of months while RCG still has one year to run on his current contract and had been looking at the UK Super League as an option earlier in the year.
But the appointment of Ryles – an experienced representative front-rower – could shift his thinking.
The other thing you can guarantee with the Eels Keystone Cops recruitment and retention committee is no decisions will be made with any sort of decisive speed.
There’s no escaping the decision-makers at Parramatta only have themselves to blame for the current mess the club finds itself in.
We’re loving the way NSW coach Michael Maguire has jumped out of his comfort zone and begun playing mind games with Queensland through the media.
And NRL 360 co-host Gorden Tallis returning serve is just as good because it’s adds even more spice to what’s guaranteed to be an all-time State of Origin decider.
Madge hit Gordie with his “Glass Houses” catchcry earlier in the week and the Raging Bull immediately returned serve by claiming it was good to see Maguire had finally discovered a personality.
It’s all good interstate banter in the lead-up to one of the most anticipated State of Origin deciders in history.
There might be no State of Origin stars but the clash between Manly and Newcastle on Sunday could have major ramifications for both clubs in terms of the final make-up of the top eight.
The Sea Eagles are expecting a sixth sell out in seven games at Four Pines Park with the club hosting its annual Gold Eagles old boys day.
Manly champions Cliff Lyons, Mark Carroll, Max Krilich, Jamie Lyon and Glenn Stewart are all expected to be on deck.
The Sea Eagles are currently sitting in seventh position on the NRL ladder on 21 points while the Knights are in ninth on 20 points.
The round 20 clash at Four Pines will also take on huge significance with the return of two-time premiership-winning coach Des Hasler and the Gold Coast Titans.
No doubt about it it’s a big month for the Sea Eagles.
