NRL Market Watch: Latest contract news, Kelma Tuilagi leaves Sea Eagles for Eels
A logjam of backrowers at the Manly Sea Eagles las led to young gun Kelma Tuilagi leaving the club to join Parramatta Eels, effective immediately.
Parramatta have made a major move to their roster for 2024 by securing Sea Eagles backrower Kelma Tuilagi, effective immediately.
Tuilagi has secured a release from the final two seasons of his contract with the Sea Eagles to sign a two-year deal under Brad Arthur at the Eels.
The Samoan international joined Manly from the Wests Tigers in 2023, featuring in 17-games for the Sea Eagles.
However, a logjam of backrowers at the Sea Eagles, including Haumole Olakua’atu, Ben Trbojevic and Josh Schuster has led Tuilagi to link with Parramatta.
Tuilagi will provide much required depth and competition in the back row at the Eels where Shaun Lane is regarded as the only edge forward guaranteed a starting spot in Brad Arthur’s best 17.
For the Sea Eagles, Tuilagi’s exit will enable the club to create further flexibility in their salary cap.
NRL’s best nursery secures another key deal
—Phil Rothfield, Michael Carayannis
The Penrith Panthers have signed young front-rower Lindsay Smith on a two-year contract extension in the build-up to Friday night’s blockbuster clash with Melbourne Storm.
It is a crucial extension until the end of the 2026 season following Spencer Leniu’s move to the Sydney Roosters next year.
Smith, 23, was already under contract for next season but has been super impressive for the Panthers to earn the longer deal.
It leaves the likes of Sunia Turuva, Taylan May, Zac Hosking, Mitch Kenny, Luke Garner all entering the final years of their contracts on November 1.
The club just last week announced the re-signings of Luke Sommerton, Isaiah Iongi, Preston Riki while former Cowboy Riley Price will join Penrith in 2024 along with Canterbury young gun Paul Alamoti and ex-Canberra playmaker Brad Schneider.
Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Latest contract news, Kelma Tuilagi leaves Sea Eagles for Eels
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