A couple of articles from Zero Tackle,
Souths move to confirm key signatures
Despite an, at times, dicey start to their 2022 campaign, South Sydney has reportedly set the ball in motion in an effort to lockdown spine members
Lachlan Ilias,
Cody Walker and
Latrell Mitchell.
While still on contract at Redfern until the cessation of the 2023 season, the Bunnies are said to have already tabled Ilias a two-year extension, with reports suggesting the Five Dock junior and his manager,
Braith Anasta, are closing in on putting pen to paper.
Though 2022 has provided more troughs than peaks for the 22-year-old's halves partner,
News Corp has claimed that the Rabbitohs remain committed to Walker and are also making moves to retain the veteran before he enters the open market on November 1.
Currently set to earn within the vicinity of $1.4 million across the course of the next pair of seasons, the 32-year-old five-eighth is still seen as the perfect option to both compliment and guide Ilias by those inside Souths' four walls.
Irrespective of his latest hamstring setback, Mitchell also remains hot property at the Burrow.
Given the club's financial outlay to see the superstar travel to America in an effort to rehabilitate with tendon experts, Souths will surely be confident that their continued backing of Mitchell will be rewarded with his signature.
As it stands, the Taree-born titan is contracted to the cardinal and myrtle club until the end of the 2023 season, earning inside the ballpark of $750,000 across both this campaign and the next.
While Mitchell is still unavailable for the Rabbitohs' latest Indigenous Round clash, both Walker and Ilias have been selected to face Wests at Accor Stadium on Saturday evening.
With the taste of their 1-point loss to the Tigers in Round 7 sure to still linger in their mouths,
Jason Demetriou's 5-6 side will be desperate to heap pain on
Michael Maguire's men during the return fixture.
Kick-off is scheduled for 5:30pm (AEST).
Four NRL names linked to Super League
Four NRL players are understood to be on offer to
Super League clubs ahead of next season.
Rabbitohs duo
Taane Milne and
Dean Hawkins, Bulldog
Jackson Topine, and Shark
Kayal Iro are all understood to have been shopped to the English league as manager Tyran Smith sources interest for his quartet of clients.
According to
Rugby League Live, all four players could be of interest as they weigh up their future, with Milne seen as the name most likely to demand interest.
The 27-year-old has long competed for a starting centres role in the NRL, having plied his trade with the Dragons, Warriors and currently Souths.
Across 41 appearances, Milne has recorded 14 tries, five of which have come from 10 appearances for the Bunnies this year.
The Fiji international could venture abroad to secure a more relied-upon role in rugby league, with Milne having to compete with star outside backs in Caleb Graham,
Alex Johnston,
Jaxson Paulo and
Josh Mansour.
His teammate in Hawkins is also listed as a potential buy for
Super League sides, offering a role as a scoring halfback to any keen suitor.
Hawkins made his NRL debut last season against Brisbane and played just two more games for South Sydney in 2021. He is yet to feature in
Jason Demetriou's side this year.
Topine has also been limited in his experience at the top level, having played just eight games for Canterbury since his debut against Souths last year.
The Auckland-born second-rower has plenty of upside at just 20 years of age, and has been named as a replacement option in two matches this season.
Iro, the son of former
Super League journeyman Kevin Iro, is yet to feature at senior level for Cronulla, having joined them following prior stints with New Zealand's and Newcastle's development squads.
The 22-year-old has represented the Cook Islands on the international stage, having amassed two caps in 2019.