Sport Confidential: Wests Tigers ramp up bid to snare Api Koroisau
Panthers hooker Api Koroisau is edging closer to deciding his NRL future after a rival club ramped up its bid to lure the Origin representative away from the premiers.
Michael Carayannis,
Brent Read and
Jamie Pandaram
11 min read
December 2, 2021 - 7:45PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Api Koroisau is close to making a call on his future after Wests Tigers formally entered the race for his services by tabling a three-year deal for the NSW representative.
It is understood Koroisau could be only days away from deciding where he will play in 2023. The Tigers have made their intentions clear, having shifted their focus from
Canberra veteran Josh Hodgson after they were unable to strike a deal with the Raiders over the Englishman.
The
Dolphins are also keeping a close watch on Koroisau but are weighing up whether to make him a long-term offer as they gauge other potential options.
Among them is Harry Grant, the Storm and Queensland rake who is not off-contract until the end of 2023 after Melbourne took up an option in their favour.
Api Koroisau is close to making a call on his future. Picture: Robb Cox/NRL Photos
Waiting for Grant would mean the Dolphins signing a stopgap for one year. It would be worth it if the Dolphins and their brain’s trust of Wayne Bennett and Peter O’Sullivan can find a way to convince Grant to return to Queensland.
The Tigers and Raiders are also racing to sign
Bulldogs outside back Nick Cotric. Canberra remain the front-runners for Cotric, who would return to the club after a one-year absence.
Koroisau has become the most prized hooker on the open market following
Reed Mahoney’s decision to join Canterbury and
Brandon Smith’s agreement with the Sydney Roosters.
The Panthers are struggling with their salary cap and the Tigers, having initially talked to Canberra about securing an early release for Hodgson, are believed to have improved their deal for Koroisau to include an extra year this week.
They should know soon enough whether it is enough to secure the classy No.9, a move that could likely mean their incumbent rake Jacob Liddle is on the lookout for a new club.