Parramatta has stepped up plans for life after Reed Mahoney with the Eels in talks to put a sought-after hooker in blue and gold colours.
Parramatta has emerged as a shock contender to sign Canberra and English hooker Josh Hodgson.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Eels and Hodgson are already locked in contract talks about a move for 2023, when the star dummy half’s Raiders contract officially expires.
Parramatta started hunting for a new hooker immediately after incumbent Reed Mahoney decided to quit the club and join Canterbury after next season.
Interest between the Eels and Hodgson is genuine although no deal has yet been struck.
Well-placed sources claim Hodgson, 32, is Parramatta’s priority choice at hooker although the Eels are also considering Roosters hooker Sam Verrills, who is expected to leave Bondi after the club signed Melbourne’s Brandon Smith.
Hodgson has one-year remaining at Canberra and he and the club – at this stage - want that commitment fulfilled.
He will earn north of $800,000 for 2021 but will have to accept a heavy pay cut from 2023, possibly agreeing to a new deal worth about $400,000 a year. Parramatta’s offer would be expected to span two seasons.
Hodgson will be 33 years old during the 2023 season but is highly regarded by Parramatta’s coaching staff.
The Raiders dummy half was close to signing with Wests Tigers for this coming season but a financial deal between both clubs couldn’t be found.
Even if a deal can be reached, there is little chance of Hodgson joining Parramatta next season given the Eels still have Mahoney under contract for another season.
Canberra has a comfortable salary cap for next season and are more than happy to keep Hodgson for 2022 and absorb his cost.
Hodgson has told friends he would be willing to move to Sydney to continue his career.
Verrills has a contract with the Roosters for next season and is expected to honour that deal. But with Smith arriving the following season, Verrills will consider moving on with several NRL clubs having already expressed an interest.
Parramatta also considered Api Koroisau before the Panthers grand final star last week signed with Wests Tigers from 2023.
The Eels are also looking at Canberra’s Bailey Simonsson as another signing. Simonsson, 23, has a contract for 2022 but could be granted an early release if both clubs can secure a financial resolution.
Canberra won’t allow Simonsson to leave unless the club can lure Nick Cotric back from Canterbury.
Cotric is being shopped around by the Bulldogs and will likely end up at either Canberra or Wests Tigers.
Parramatta, meanwhile, continue to talk with forwards Junior Paulo and Ryan Matterson, both off contract after next season.
Paulo is a priority although the club is also desperately hoping to retain Matterson. An incumbent NSW State of Origin prop, Paulo is also a target for NRL newcomers, the Dolphins.
The Eels will be under pressure to retain the pair after losing Mahoney, Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers) and Marata Niukore (New Zealand Warriors) in the past few weeks.
Replies
Wow.... What a joke our club letting a future QLD star to sign an old Fella. This must be for a laugh
He will be 34 in 23, and probably home sick, this doesnt sound like the best idea to me.
Verrells is overrated mate, thats why the chooks dont want him, check out his stats, apart from defence, they are very poor imo.
we wont be getting him for 200k bro, it will be north of 400.
He'd be lucky to average 20m running a game.
bro no way Verralis is signing for 200k, hookers are in high demand, id be very suprised if its under 400k
Why would they get smith if they thought he was so good? hes not that good, the roosters know it and his stats back up my observations.
No, hes very average on the park too, his stats confirm it.
Youve no doubt just checked out his stats and youve realised they are as shit as im saying or youd be back here quoting any good ones lol
Why didnt we want to upgrade Reed for Smith?
We never upgrade with higher calibre players at our club so your hypotheticals are nonsense, we only look for bargain buys.
The roosters love upgrading and getting the big players, we dont.
Snake they love anyone the club signs, don't you get it?
They could sign my grandma and they'll support the decision.
When we signed Joey Lussck a number of people wished we had signed Freddy Lussck. When Smith arrives he moves to nuumber 3. Little Ive seen I liked. Seemed to provide a real spark at DH. Worth a look?
The issue with Verrills is health, he hasn't been able to get any career traction because of injuries, but if he can stay healthy and play regularly he'll be fine.
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