Parramatta have launched discussions with the Gold Coast to sign strike centre Brian Kelly for the 2026 season.
In the wake of star winger Zac Lomax’s sudden exit from the NRL club’s roster after just 12-months at the club, the Eels are aiming to restock their stretched backline and it’s Kelly who has emerged as a genuine target.
The Eels, Titans and Kelly’s management are in the process of thrashing out the financial aspect of any potential release of the 29-year-old, who is contracted in 2026 to the Gold Coast.
Kelly and his management have been informed by the Titans that the Indigenous All Stars representative won’t be re-signed beyond 2026, prompting serious thought to prolonging his career for 2026 and 2027 at the Eels.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/eels-in-talks-with-gold-coast-titans-over-zac-lomax-replacement/news-story/2abfa2e37971b2db2b9db8d58b3e47b7?using_ew=false&using_ew_noesi=false&fbclid=IwY2xjawOfF7VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKc3RUTUFPeEpEZUxjN1A5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgPwojjIGnzFPQQ99dpzxbCykc8wzAGNZxn2mAH5aVZ2m68OCVWrn02zTSDX_aem_dfGMxwaigU4dJ8dLNjWkAg
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Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has had his coaching, character and crowning glory – Cronulla’s 2016 premiership win – torn down by a man who played a crucial role in that historic title, James Maloney.
Word has filtered through from Brisbane of Maloney’s brutal take-down of Flanagan, highlighting the tension between the two.
Maloney was speaking at a fundraising lunch for the Sydney-based Pass It On Clothing charity at the Port Office Hotel in Brisbane on the Friday of Magic Round. He was there alongside former NRL players Michael Buettner, Jeremy Latimore and Dallas Johnson.
Maloney was asked on stage about the best coaches he had played under, and he offered Craig Bellamy (Storm), Trent Robinson (Roosters) and Ivan Cleary (Panthers), while saying Flanagan had taught him “f--- all”.
“I didn’t learn a thing off him,” Maloney said.
Maloney also told the interviewer to, “ask Flanno how he felt being my assistant in 2016”, leaving the room of 140 footy fans in stitches.
We asked Maloney about his relationship with Flanagan, and he said he had nothing to do with him.
“Book me for a function and I’ll tell you even more,” he said.
Flanagan did not respond when contacted for comment.
Even though he got sacked for an unknown reason and is a pest, i still reckon Maloney has a lot to offer as a coach. His footy brain is immense and it is no coincidence he made a GF with three different teams. (Warriors, Roosters, Sharks). Winning with 2 of them both in his first year at both clubs. He has an influence on squads.
Fair enough
Ok so what's the maximum amount the Eels should be offering Kolomatagi LB??. There has to be a point where Parramatta should not go overboard.
Well apparently the deal that Dragons have offered is 5 year $1mil a year. I think the money is slightly high but with the new TV deal coming in it would be reasonable and manageable. We have offered around $900k if you believe the outlets.
Souths only offered 3 years, we offer 4 and Dragons offer 5.
Now the extra year and $100k more a year, $500k overall is something i guess. If Dragons go bizurk and offer $1.2mil then ok step back. But at this stage can we get him with Saints offering $100k a year more? Yeah i think we still can.
LB, I don't think people should be believing every figure the media puts out there. For all we know the dragons could be offering 1.1mil or higher. Now do you believe the Eels should go as high as 1.1 for him or 1.2.
What im saying is that no fan actually knows what each player is on exactly. So if people start jumping up and down saying we missed out on a player, they don't really know what went down with the dealing.
It's a player's market atm and some club’s are going to get into trouble. Think Newcastle and d Brown the highest paid player ever. There's a reason why they're still spoon favourite mate
I watched Chad Townsend's recent video going through his contract, and he said the values the media quotes are mostly completely inaccurate.
I find it so funny that people think a player makes a decision based on particular management not being convincing enough. Lol.
In order this is what sways players
1. Contract length and monetary value
2. Club’s success
3. Location
4. Coaching staff
5. Location
6. Teammates
7. Clubs negotiation skills
By the way some people are talking on here they'd put club negotiations skills first.
I think 1 and 2 depend on a player's individual circumstances. You'd get some older players prepared to cop a pay cut if it meant going to a team challenging for a comp. Location could also be higher depending on a player's options. E.g. Marata going to New Zealand to return home with family.
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