Parramatta's recruitment radar has turned to Canberra, where young wrecking ball Josh Papalii is weighing-up a $1 million offer to bolster the Eels' pack.
After unsuccessful bids for James Tamou and Matt Scott, Parramatta officials have identified the 20-year-old as their long- term solution.
Queensland and New Zealand last year waged an eligibility war for Papalii, who established his hardman bonafides by antagonising Sharks skipper Paul Gallen during the finals.
It's understood Parramatta's negotiations with Papalii are further advanced than those with Norman, who has also been offered a three-year extension to stay in Brisbane.
Papalii is only believed to be on a contract worth around $100,000 in Canberra this year and he's told teammates the Eels' offer is proving difficult to ignore.
Canberra also has a host of other stars off-contract in 2012 including Sam Williams, Brett White, Jarrod Crocker and Joel Thompson.
Raiders boss Don Furner did not return calls, while Eels CEO Ken Edwards declined to comment on the club's recruitment.
Lockyer's manager, George Mimis, confirmed the game's most-capped player had been working with the Broncos' halves Norman and Peter Wallace in an advisory role for the past three months.
"There's no work on the training field. It's more general advice and video review," he said.
Parramatta have also been linked to Farah, but the Tigers are desperate to lock away the 29-year-old before rival clubs formally enter the equation.
* REVELATIONS that another Eels target - Brisbane playmaker Corey Norman - is being mentored by former captain and Queensland great Darren Lockyer;
Replies
Hello to all.
I believe this is another waste of money coming from Peter Nolan & the board. Why would this young man not take the money as once again it is crazy dollars we are talking about for someone who has played maybe 5 decent games. Yes Parra need muscle in thier pack but common did we not learn from Chris Sandow? We now have a half that cannot tackle for the life of him taking up a huge part of the cap & hey lets get someone else on big money (That NO other club will pay) & watch him line up for the magpies. Common Peter lets not look for a quick fix & start looking at the best players coming through ALL clubs in the u18 & u20 comps.
Meninga chased him hard for qld for rep footy over nz.
The kid is a good player, I see him play most weeks and would be very happy if we got him
This young man was much sought after by both Qld & NZ. He is a player of the future and his "5 decent games" are enough to warrant a very large contract upgrade. What do you want Nolan etc to do? - just pay minimum wage to 18yo's until a couple come good and then watch them go elsewhere for the same amount we are willing to pay Papalii. Unless his form goes in reverse Papalii will be long term FG and probably starting backrower at a damn lot of clubs not just here. He is not a Wenty player - but hey that's just what I think.
He terrorised gallen in a game too
pair him up with fui