Canterbury have pulled off a stunning grand final week coup with three of the game’s rising stars - Newcastle brothers Sione, Chanel and Pat Mata'utia - agreeing to long-term deals with the Bulldogs.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the highly sought-after brothers have signed lucrative four-year deals with the NRL grand finalists starting in 2016 after their current Knights contracts expire.
It is understood a heads of agreement document to that effect has already been lodged with the NRL.
But on Monday night, a fuming Knights CEO Matt Gidley claimed all three brothers have told him they want to stay in Newcastle and he remains confident of extending their existing contracts. Under current NRL rules, the Knights have until round 13 next year to change the brothers’ minds.
Read more: http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/bulldogs-steal-matautia-brothers-15152/#ixzz3El7iErKA
This is a massive blow for the Knights. The Knights were hoping to rebuild their team around these brothers and now the putrid dogs have come from nowhere and have come to agreement with the brothers. I hope that the Knights can convince the boys to turn their back on the dogs and stay with the Knights. Thoughts anyone?
Replies
Good to know some teams still do not have a salary cap.
Are you sure we can't get Spags a top job in the NRL?
Honestly mr and mrs Mata'utia have got some serious answering to do, who would call their son after a perfume, Chanel?
They could have at least called him chanel number 7.
Sad cause these guys are loaded with talent/potential and will prove to be a big loss for the knights.
Unkie Des doing what he does best. Sign players on back-ended contracts, I reckon Des will be back at Manly in 2-3 years.
They choosing wrong imo
Normally I'd ask "Where do they get the money?" But in the Dogs case I believe they have a multitude of contractors to the Canterbury club who can be persuaded to offer 3rd party agreements to new recruits to the dogs. Together with the Roosters and Broncos they appear to have the edge on us in this regard.
Still as a Newcastle resident and an eels member I'm not sorry to see the Knights spitting chips occasionally.
Well spotted brissyeel. Never seen him so relaxed and happy theses last few weeks.
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