Cameron Munster may soon be headed north with Wayne Bennett reportedly closing in on his marquee man.
Meanwhile, the Roosters have reportedly locked in a key forward after months of speculation surrounding his future.
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DOLPHINS NEW MARQUEE TARGET
Rugby League reporter Ben Dobbin believes Cameron Munster is set to sign a four-year deal with the Dolphins which would make him the highest paid player in the NRL.
“Munster is a Dolphin, in 2024 I think Munster is a Dolphin,” Dobbin said on Triple M.
“I think it will be a four-year deal,” Dobbin said.
“So that will be roughly around $6 million?” Gorden Tallis then asked.
“Is he worth it? Yes, can he change the fortunates of a club? Yes he can,” Dobbin said.
“Can you put tools around him and will it attract other players? Yes it will.”
While strong in his belief Bennett has his man, Dobbin revealed Bennett could make an audacious bid to lure Latrell Mitchell to Redcliff if the Munster bid fails.
The NRL supercoach mentored Latrell during 2020 and 2021, coming desperately close to a premiership last season.
“If they don’t get Cameron Munster, I’m going to throw you a smokey right now. I believe they will go after Latrell Mitchell… Wayne Bennett’s relationship with Latrell Mitchell runs deep,” Dobbin said on Triple M.
Tallis, however, believed Latrell Mitchell has his roots firmly placed at the South Sydney club, explaining he is the “happiest” he has ever been.
“It is too far away from his farm, I think for Latrell, there is a bigger picture for him,” Tallis said.
“I have never seen a guy more settled and going back to the country and doing what he is doing, that is more important to Latrell now than money.
“I think he is the happiest (he has been).”
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CRICHTON’S FUTURE SECURED
Roosters gun Angus Crichton has revealed his is set to re-sign with the Tricolours, ending speculation surrounding his immediate future.
Initially, the 26-year-old’s two-year contract extension was said to be a handshake deal with no formal contract being registered with the NRL.
Crichton himself acknowledged the speculation has been “tough” but never considered playing for any other club.
“I think we are really close to finalizing something, so hopefully in the next little bit I will sign on for the next two years,” Crichton told 9News.
“It has been tough to have that hanging over my head and to get it sorted will be a massive weight off my shoulders.
“I don’t want to play for any other team.”
Reports linked the Origin backrower to a move to the Tigers with the Roosters’ salary cap facing a big squeeze.
The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield revealed the immense cap pressure the Tricolours are under, with seven of the competition’s highest paid players on their books.
“In 2022 they have got Tedesco on $1.1m, Luke Keary on $850,000, Joseph Manu ($720k), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($700k), Angus Crichton ($700k), Sio Siua Taukeiaho ($625k) and Victor Radley ( $510k) for a total of $5,205,000,” Rothfield said on NRL360.
With the impending arrival of Brandon Smith and an increase in salary for young gun Joseph Suaalii, Roosters bosses now have to squeeze the remaining 21 players into what is left of their salary cap.
The departure of Ronald Volkman, Freddy Lussick, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Lachlam Lam has opened cap space.
Sam Verills and Siosiua Taukeiaho are also set to leave at the season’s end, meaning the Roosters could have even more money to re-sign players for 2023 onwards.
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