Shaun Lane has given Parramatta an early grand final boost after it emerged that the flying Eels forward was on the verge of agreeing a long-term deal to stay at the club.
Lane is off contract at the end of next season but News Corp can reveal he is set to extend his stay at the Eels until the end of 2026 in a deal that is likely to be worth close to $2 million.
His retention will be a massive fillip for the club as they look to end a 36-year premiership drought on Sunday night at Accor Stadium against bitter western Sydney rivals Penrith.
Lane has been one of the form forwards of the finals series, putting himself in contention to make the Kangaroos squad for the upcoming Wold Cup.
He did his cause no harm with his display against North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night - Lane ran for 135 metes, recorded four offloads and contributed an all-important try assist as Parramatta triumphed against the Cowboys.
His decision to stay at Parramatta comes as the Eels attempt to stem the bleeding from their grand final squad - they have already lost hooker Reed Mahoney and back rower Isaiah Papali’i for next season, although whispers continue that the latter is desperate to stay at the Eels rather than join the Wests Tigers.
The Eels have a slew of players who are off contract at the end of 2023, meaning they are able to sign with rival clubs on November 1.
The list is headed by halves Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses, have been the masterminds of Parramatta’s grand final charge. Both will be hot property should they hit the market on November 1.
Jake Arthur, Waqa Blake, Bryce Cartwright, Will Penisini, Bailey Simonsson and Maika Sivo also enter the final year of their contracts at the end of next month, leaving Parramatta racing the clock to tie down their grand final squad.
The good news is they have locked up Lane. The Eels could ill-afford to lose the hard-charging back rower and they have seemingly done enough to convince him to stay as he prepares to pledge his future to the club.
At some point next season he will bring up 100 games for the Eels, having started his career at Canterbury before moving to Manly. He has now played four seasons at Parramatta and provided he stays injury-free, could surpass 200 games for the club thanks to a fresh three-year extension.
Replies
Great resigning!
Wonder if it's $2m for the next four seasons (bit of an upgrade on next year) or that amount from 2024-2026?
Bargain if it's the first, probably a tad above market value for the second but still no complaints!
Would also like to see our halves extend their contract, show some loyalty/love for the club rather than "testing the market" and selling themselves to the highest bidder.
Look what's happened to Papalii after signing to the highest offer... REGRETTED IT.
Great news. The bloke has become a weapon. Great stuff.
It's a good thing ( if he continues with his amazing form and mindset )
god seeing jakes name thrown in here
are you fucking serious lol most of us would sell him at a garage sale 🤷♀️🤣
What about a flea market
Let's Hope JA proves everyone wrong like Gutherson, Sivo, Mosses, D Brown, Lane, Matterson, Kaufusu, Reed and other players who have copt it have.
I admit JA shouldn't be playing of the bench atm but hope he can develope. He hasn't been given a chance to develope his game in lower grades. Hopefully he proves us wrong like the other players above have.
Browny well said Browny, tbh i would prefer he went to another club - it allow him to develop as needed. Let's see what happens here. Halves are the key; and also the next DH we have behind Hodgson and I don't mean MA. Reggies players on the up
I'd actually like to see him have a season or two in the ESL, I think that would be perfect for his development.
If he has a blinder in the grand final, he must be picked to start for Australia (unless he nominates to play for England 😅).
His first couple of seasons with us wasn't good. Too many errors and not much impact but now his coming good.
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