Jason Taumoulolo has been mentioned around the traps as being targeted by the Eels.
Here's the Facebook excerpt that mentioned the rumour
How would he fit into our 17 ??
If the Cowboys want him off their books, they'll have to pay 500k pa so I can't see this happening . He's 32 and signed until 2028
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Ok sso let's just go with it's real, which i am no where near ready to believe it is, but for argument sakes say it is. Is it a good pick-up? Well considering NQ want him gone, they would pitch in a fair bit. Let's say if we only pay $500k, i think it is not a bad deal. He did not play much in 2025, however he did average 154 metres per game still. He still has something to offer.
The issue for NQ was the salary they are paying they felt the minutes Payten was playing him for did not justify it. He should be an 80min player for his salary. If we get him for half the price, playing him for 40-45 mins is justified.
He is 33 mid next year, had we not signed de Belin i would have been 100% in, but i feel we do not need more older heads unless the plan is for the crop of Tuivaiti, Talagi, Petrus, Funa-Iuta etc to just come in all at once after being blooded here and there in 2026 and 2027.
Though also, there was someone stating Tino was house shopping in Sydney and heading to Parramatta. I would wait and see. Still waiting for that back-rower to be announced.
Agree. de Belin won't give us the go forward we need, only some sting in defence. If we can get JT for around $500K, it would be a decent pick up IMO. The games he played in towards the back end of the season were impressive. Even at 32, his carries are more devastating than Doorey, Moretti and Guymer.
I think we'd only be doing this if Paulo is hanging them up. In which case it would be a good idea. I would expect we wouldn't be paying full freight. Trust in Ryles!
Good point as with Paulo, de Belin and Hopgood, where does Taumololo fit?
Heard rumours the cows want Matt Burton. Off loading Taumalolo would free up cap space even if they carry some of the freight!
They are in salary cap hell from all reports. They want a Halfback badly to move Dearden back to 6. On Paul Kent's podcast, his host said he is hearing Drinkwater might look for an out. Payten survived only because Hannay went to Gold Coast. Had Hannay said he was going to NQ, Payten was gone. With him on such a tight rope, players wont want to extend further.
If i was Ryles and MON, i would be hanging over NQ like a vulture to see what we can get. There are a bunch of players off for 2026; Neame, Lahrs, Purdue, Taulagi. Many they will let others go just to keep.
But their cap management has been woeful. Drinkwater, Dearden, Cotter all on big deals understandable. Taumalolo deal was fine in terms of salary, length was idiotic. But then giving Heilum Luki $650k a year, when you have Nanai on $800k, Cotter on $700k and Taumalolo on close to a mil? Then they lose Robson as couldn't afford him but sign Mahoney. No kids coming through to save money at Hooker?
Luki is one i would look at, yes two ACL's but still a quality player.
There some quality middles in NQ which would suit the style Ryles wants to play. Griffin Neame would be great, but I think he's already extended? May be wrong.
Only for a year. Off-contract in 2026. I would like Neame though with McLean retiring and JT possibly on move, they would want Neame and Lahrs to start.
That's very interesting. I agree about hovering over the cowboys carcass. Luki has so much potential and his size is attractive for our smallish backrow. His knees are a concern. I think JT would be great at Parra. We need someone that bends the defensive line and JT does just that.
I'd absolutely believe the cowboys are looking to offload him, Dylan brown has only just taken the title of the worst deal in history.
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