Two clubs leading the race for Warriors star; Fresh twist in Tigers’ $4m Luai bid: Transfer Whispers

If Fonua-Blake was to sign with the Dragons, it would be his second stint at the club after playing two seasons in their under-20 team in 2013 and 2014. However, due to disciplinary reasons, he was released from his contract before ever playing first grade.

He would ultimately make his NRL debut for Manly in 2016, spending five seasons at the Sea Eagles before relocating to New Zealand.

“Fonua-Blake was formerly coached by Dragons assistant coach Dean Young, and he is a former Dragon, he came through the system there with a number of clubs, South Sydney included. I think there’s still ties for Fonua-Blake to the Dragons,” Riccio added.

FRESH TWIST IN TIGERS’ $4M LUAI BID

The Tigers have reportedly shopped prop David Klemmer to NRL rivals in a bid to free up salary cap space to help them land Jarome Luai on a $4 million deal.

The Daily Telegraph reported Klemmer has been floated to rival clubs in a bid to get his $750,000 salary ofF the Tigers’ books.

Neither Klemmer or his agent were aware of the club’s reported attempts to offload the former representative star, with a third party passing Klemmer’s name to potential suitors.

“I’d carve up” – Foxx teases code switch | 00:55

The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio confirmed on SEN radio the Tigers are looking to offload Klemmer in their pursuit of Luai.

“Suddenly, David Klemmer has emerged as a key figure in the Wests Tigers’ pursuit of Jarome Luai,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“Klemmer’s name has been floated to a number of clubs by a person who is unrelated to Klemmer or his management.

“I can’t confirm if it’s a Wests Tigers official but there is certainly an agitation to get Klemmer off the Tigers’ books.

“(His salary) sits at around $750,000 a season until at least 2026 and he’s only 12 months into that deal.

“It just speaks to the situation at the Wests Tigers and how keen they are on Jarome Luai.

“The David Klemmer situation does suggest that they do need to get rid of some money to get Luai in.”

David Klemmer could be moved on to free up salary cap space at the Tigers.Source: Supplied

Andrew voss believes it is a poor move for the Tigers to shop Klemmer around when they can’t even sign Luai until the 2025 season.

“If they are not getting Luai until the following year, then it’s an awful situation for a player like David Klemmer,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“Try your guts out for us next year, but we don’t want you the year after that because we have someone else coming in next year so you’ll have to go.

‘It’s a terrible situation for Klemmer who will have to play for the Tigers next year but he’s being shunted.”

The 29-year-old prop is contracted to the Tigers until the end of the 2026 season and has already played 218 NRL games in the game’s toughest position for the Bulldogs, Knights and Tigers.

Klemmer also played 14 Origins for NSW and 19 Tests for the Kangaroos.

The Tigers are well stocked with quality forwards, but have so far failed to land a marquee half in the prime of his career.

Jarome Luai has been linked to the Tigers on a $4 million deal.Source: Getty Images

The 26-year-old Panthers No.6 fits the bill after scoring 21 tries in 107 NRL games for Penrith, including four grand finals and the last three premierships.

Luai has also played seven Origins for the Blues and 11 Tests for Samoa and would be the ideal man to help develop the Tigers’ young halves in Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu.

Luai has reportedly told close teammates he is leaning towards leaving the Panthers and taking a new challenge at the Tigers after hopefully winning a fourth title with Penrith in 2024.

Oates out to prove himself for Broncos | 01:19

FLANAGAN CONFIRMS DRAGONS’ INTEREST IN DEARDEN AS NO.7

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has confirmed his interest in signing Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden to be the club’s long-term halfback.

Speaking with AAP, Flanagan put Dearden in the same boat as Roosters star Joey Manu as someone the Dragons could build their team around.

“Tommy’s very similar to Joey (Manu), in that if he decides I want to test the market …he knows that we would love to talk,” Flanagan told AAP.

“He’s a young half, played Origin. Got the world at his feet.

“He could be the future halfback of this club for another five or six years. It would be silly not to investigate if he’s on the market.

“I don’t know if he is open to moving, we’ve spoken, but Tom is a different young kid as well. He doesn’t like the fanfare and the media and all that sort of stuff.

“We’ll respect that and when and if the time comes, well we’ll do our best.”

The 22-year-old has scored 24 tries in 80 NRL games for the Cowboys and Broncos since his debut in 2019 and has played one Origin for Queensland in 2022.

Dearden’s arrival could possibly offset Dragons skipper Ben Hunt’s return to Queensland if he was granted an early release, but Flanagan believes the pair and son Kyle can coexist at the club.

“Ben would be that excited to have Tommy here at the club,” Flanagan said.

The Dragons want Tom Dearden as their long-term halfback.Source: Getty Images

“Ben’s frustration with the club is like many other people and many other supporters that we haven’t been winning.

“Ben wears his heart on his sleeve. And he’s the captain of the club that hasn’t done really well. So it weighs heavily on him.

“But every conversation from day one with Ben, I’ve said I’m not going to release him and there’s never been an argument of why or how.

“It’s always been ‘I understand Flanno, let’s move forward’.”

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Burton willing to fight for halves spot | 00:43

TITANS’ ROSTER MOVE SPARKS HUNT SPECULATION AMID STAR’S ENDORSEMENT

Titans fullback AJ Brimson would support the club making a play for Dragons halfback Ben Hunt after the club freed up a spot in their top 30.

The Courier Mail reported the Titans have released Treymain Spry by mutual agreement, which opens up a spot in their 2024 squad.

While Hunt is contracted to the Dragons for the next two seasons, he has been open about his desire to return home to Queensland for family reasons.

Speaking with the Courier Mail, Brimson labelled Hunt a ‘freak’ and backed the club to go after him if he became available.

“He’s a good player, he is a freak,” Brimson said Per News Corp.

“Any team that he’s in, he’s going to help play finals and win a comp.

The Titans have a spot available in their top 30.Source: Getty Images

“I don’t think ‘Flanno’ (Shane Flanagan) is going to let him go. We’ll see. Funnier things have happened.”

The Titans have Tanah Boyd as their incumbent halfback Tanah Boyd at their club, while five-eighth Kieran Foran is likely entering the final year of his career.

23-year-old Boyd has played 60 NRL games for the Titans but only cemented the halfback role last season.

33-year-old Hunt has scored 80 tries in 312 games for the Broncos and Dragons since his debut in 2010 and has played 17 Origins for Queensland and 15 Tests for the Kangaroos.

A player of Hunt’s experience and ability in such a crucial position could be the last piece of Des Hasler’s premiership puzzle.