Blake Ferguson and Anthony Minichiello head list of top 10 off-contract NRL stars for 2014
News Limited Network
October 23, 2013 12:29PM
BLAKE Ferguson, Anthony Minichiello, Luke O'Donnell and David Williams headline a long list of NRL stars yet to find clubs for 2014.
With official pre-season training to begin in a matter of weeks at some clubs (early November), we reveal our top 10 players with undecided futures.
1. Blake Ferguson – The NSW Origin representative has revealed a desire to return to Sydney for family reasons – and interest has come from most Sydney clubs. The Roosters were considered favourites until re-signing Sonny Bill Williams, which has stretched their 2014 salary cap. Ferguson is also a good chance to return to the Sharks, where he made his NRL name, or replace Ben Barba at the Bulldogs. The Dragons are not in the running, citing a desire to keep their own problem child Josh Dugan away from his Breezer brother Ferguson. Of course, a new deal for 2014 hinges on whether the NRL registers Ferguson following a series of off-field indiscretions, which culminated in his sacking from the Raiders.
2. Anthony Minichiello – The veteran Rooster is yet to officially commit to the Roosters for 2014, but a deal is considered a formality. Even so, there are questions over what position Minichiello will play given fleet-footed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a ready-made replacement at fullback, which could relegate Mini to the wing.
3. Kevin Locke – With English superstar Sam Tomkins to join the Warriors next year on a massive $700,000-a-season deal, Kevin Locke may be forced out. Although he’s not officially off contract, the Bulldogs are said to be very interested in Locke as a replacement for Brisbane-bound Ben Barba. Watch this space.
4. Luke O'Donnell – The aggressive forward’s first choice is to stay with premiers the Roosters. But the retention of Sonny Bill Williams for 2014, plus back-ended contracts to the likes of Michael Jennings, may make the deal impossible. If talks fall through, O’Donnell has other options. "There are a couple of clubs interested in him," said manager Wayne Beavis this week. "But his first choice of course is the Roosters. He wants to stay at the club he just won a premiership and hopefully that will happen. We are talking but this is also a business and they have to be able to fit him in. We understand that and there are plenty of options there if he can’t stay with the Roosters."
5. David Williams – The former Origin winger is expected to remain at Brookvale, but is yet to officially sign a deal and remains off contract. ‘Wolfman’ recently went AWOL following his grand final shocker and missed a season review with Manly club officials.
6. Ben Roberts - The enigmatic five-eighth will play the World Cup for Samoa, but from there his future is unknown. He was shown the door by former Parramatta coach Ricky Stuart and recently stated he was likely to try his luck in French or Japanese rugby union.
7. Isaac Liu – The rookie prop was an unsung hero for the Roosters this year, playing 15 games, but missing the grand final due to the return of Boyd Cordner from an ankle injury. He is another Rooster at the mercy of Sonny Bill Williams, and may be forced out now the star Kiwi has re-committed.
8. Craig Gower – The former Test star was lured from France mid-season by Wayne Bennett as an emergency halves/hooker replacement following a string of injuries at the Knights. But Gower failed to finish the season due to a serious neck injury, which could end his career.
9. Tom Symonds – The Manly grand finalist is yet to recommit to the Sea Eagles. He only signed a one-year deal at the start of the season after being released at the last minute by the Roosters to accommodate Sonny Bill Williams, Michael Jennings etc.
10. Matt Utai – The 2004 premiership winner and former New Zealand Test star is unwanted by the Tigers following the emergence of young guns Tim Simona, David Nofoaluma, Marika Koroibete etc.
FULL LIST OF OFF-CONTRACT STARS
BRONCOS: Joe Bond, Jordan Drew, Liam Georgetown, Denan Kemp, Brendon Gibb, Lachlan Maranta, Nick Slyney, Jarrod Wallace, Aaron Whitchurch, Scott Anderson, Kurt Baptiste, Dale Copley, Mitchell Dodds, Cameron Cullen, Luke Dalziel-Don, Chris McLean, Francis Molo, Caleb Timu
BULLDOGS: Drury Low, Joel Romelo, Tim Browne, Junior Palau
COWBOYS: Kalifa Faifai Loa, Blake Leary, Tyson Martin
DRAGONS: Damien Cook, Harry Siejka, Junior Vaivai, Atelea Vea, Bronx Goodwin
EELS: Ben Roberts, Nathan Smith, Vai Toutai, Taniela Lasalo
KNIGHTS: Mitchell Frei, Craig Gower, Rodney Mason, Chris Adams, Ryan Stig
PANTHERS: Neccrom Areaiiti, Maurice Kennedy, Kane Morgan, Cameron Ciraldo, Geoff Daniela, Tom Eisenhuth
RABBITOHS: Shaune Corrigan
RAIDERS: Blake Ferguson, Shannon Boyd, Dimitri Pelo, Sami Sauiluma, Joe Picker, Trevor Thurling
ROOSTERS: Isaac Liu, Luke O'Donnell, Jack Bosden, Nafe Seluini, Anthony Minichiello, Samisoni Langi
SEA EAGLES: Dane Chisholm, David Gower, James Hasson, Jamil Hopoate, Kayne Lawton, Ben Musolino, Jason Seage, Tom Symonds, Esi Tonga, Ben Farrar, Jesse Sene-Lefao
SHARKS: Alipate Ratini, Sosaia Feki, Daniel Moroko, Matthew Wright
STORM: Siosaia Vave
TIGERS: Mosese Pangai, Matt Bell, Masada Iosefa, Sean Meaney, Matt Utai
TITANS: Jordan Atkins, Beau Falloon, Beau Henry, Anthony Don, Jahrome Hughes, Sam Irwin
WARRIORS: Kevin Locke (likely to be released), Alehana Mara, Jerome Ropati, Sebastine Ikahihifo
