Parramatta have tabled Keaon Koloamatangi a monster four-year offer in a bid to prise the representative forward out of South Sydney.
The Roosters are also monitoring the situation, given forward Angus Crichton is off contract and considering a switch to rugby at the end of next season. Perth also inquired about 27-year-old Koloamatangi’s plans, but were told he wants to remain in Sydney.
However, the Eels are shaping as a genuine threat to South Sydney’s bid to retain the former NSW and Tonga star. Sources not authorised to speak publicly told this masthead the Eels have weighed in with a four-year offer worth seven figures a season.
Parramatta officials, including coach Jason Ryles, have met with Koloamatangi and his manager.
Replies
So was Galvin bud
"Rooster monitoring" Of course they are.
They want Tino. This would be a Smokey for them.
Fuck roosters the greedy duckers. They won't a comp because of their greed. Look at Penrith hey won comps based on juniors.
the perfect Paulo replacement! and would be great for our bunch of youngens coming through, who people on here seem to rate. i sadly dont get to attend training sessions etc as i live in the ACT, so very much enjoy reading the updates provided.
Wonder the chances of even getting him for 2026? (if we even actually get him).
There is no way he stays at the Bunnies , Bennet will never allow a club he coaches to pay a prop that much under salary cap conditions.
He's reiterated this stance many times , it's a shootout between the Eels and Dragons.
If you look at travel time, contract value , facilities , strength of roster and coaching staff Parramatta make more sense on the balance of things.
I see Koloamatangi as a high rate worker, something every club needs but he doesn't bring million dollar impact.
Is he a momentum changer? I don't think so .
Id be more then happy to have him on the roster and if we've front loaded contracts it should be easy enough to absorb but from a salary cap perspective it's overs for the type of player he is.
Im always wary of players moving clubs when they love playing for the one their currently at, rarely do you get value for money and that includes Debellin.
If they have the right mindset and want to prove a point it's negated but still a concern.
Bup, like you, I do like KK, but there are red flags for me too.
Bennett might not forgo his "don't pay top dollar for props" mantra, but Souths' Sugar Daddy Benefactors might be prepared to dig into their pockets for an extra half mil, or some property deals outside the cap, or whatever works for them. Or is his way of forcing more out of Souths, a bit Gutho-ish, too on the nose?
My question is, what does he want? How easily he's auctioned himself out there from a 900K starting price makes me wonder, while his interview didn't inspire me despite being a likeable chap.
Koloamatangi is probably happy at Souths but wants to feel a bit more valued as a prop on his rightful entitlement of coin.
Fifita also probably increases Souths' chances of keeping him. When he sees the likes of Murray and co returning from injury, he's going to perceive they're more in a premiership window than us the Saints or. Does he want to leave that? There's comfort there...
We might offer him the chance to become a club long-term "forward leader" — the Man and Mentor — taking over from Junior. But does he want to be in a club perceived as a team on the rise rather than filled with stars? Does he want new challenges? Work harder? He could probably afford to slack off a bit more at Souths from time to time. A couple of our islanders like Junior and KK's fellow Tongian Iongi might have a word. His management also has a few former Eels in its stable like Hawkins, Hopoate, and Manu Mu'a (former Tongan like KK), the former Eel who worked well under BA. Wonder if they'll have a chat to KK? It might help a tad to know they are and were content at Parra.
I don't think JDB would've come anywhere near the price tag KK is coming at. So, that deal doesn't really worry me too much. JDB has a good work ethic. He probably won't lose that at Parra. He scaffolds our middles more and is another mentor for plenty of young forwards coming through. I actually think it's wise that Ryles is recruiting tough, experienced campaigners like Walker, Williams, Fox, JDB with a good attitude.
The silver lining for me, regardless of how the mop flops on this deal, is that it's more probable the club has plenty of cash as anticipated than the "we're irresponsibly paying a fortune for our rookies" belief structures. We might just need to be patient and look for a few up-and-coming middles with gutso, and have more for outside backs if it falls through. There are only two things I'm confident about. He'll be expensive; probably overs. And we'll go into nuclear meltdown and in a tailspin of Biblical proportions if we don't land him LOL. Either way, interesting viewing.
Club needs a win in the recruitment stakes.
Im with you though KK isn't in the same ball park as Haas Tapine Tino area.
Dragons have put there cards on the table 5 yrs at a mill per season.
Parras going to have to be at least in that ball park.
South's won't be paying that on the cap like you suggest but I'm sure if Bennett wants him the wheels on the bus go round and round and Uncle Russell I'll sought him out I have no doubt.
JR is the only reason he comes here that's the chip that's our biggest selling point wanting to play on an up n coming contender.
as iv said all along I think we land him. Wouldn't surprise me if he stayed at south's but I think parra sign soon.
Some on other sites saying its a done deal.
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