Sharks could lose in-form star after manager’s contract reveal
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Cronulla are in danger of losing one of their most loyal players, Teig Wilton.
The back-rower is in career-best form this season, but at 26 years old has decided to put himself on the open market from November.
Teig Wilton could leave the Sharks. Getty Images
“Teig loves the club and they want him to stay but at 26 and after signing with the club early for his seven years there, it’s time for him to think of his future and see what his market value is,” Wilton’s manager Andrew Purcell told nine.com.au.
“Plenty of clubs need back-rowers so we will see what happens.”
Wilton has been revelling running off playmakers Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes this season, scoring his first top grade hat-trick earlier in the year.
He is a key figure in the Sharks’ premiership quest, with his ability to break the line and big hits certain to play a part in the big games ahead.
Dogs prop given NRL reprieve
Canterbury have come within a whisker of losing prop Sam Hughes for next year.
The 25-year-old had a contract with Super League club Catalans all ready to sign last week, before the Bulldogs came back with a one-year extension offer.
Hughes has only played eight NRL games so far this season and hasn’t featured since round 10, but decided to accept the offer and will remain at Belmore.
After that, he is likely to head to Super League, where several clubs – headed by Catalans – are keen to pick him up.
With plenty of size and nearly 50 first grade games to his name, Hughes is developing nicely in the toughest position on the field.
Perth were keen to pick him up for their maiden season, but the deal never got over the line.
Teen gun on Canterbury’s radar
Still on the Bulldogs – a young gun with huge potential could become a mainstay in the top grade after agreeing a deal to join the club.
Archie McIlwain, a promising outside back from the Newcastle Knights, has just signed a two-year deal.
McIlwain helped the Knights reach the SG Ball grand final earlier this year, before graduating to Jersey Flegg where he has looked the goods. On top of that, he has done well for the Western Suburbs Rosellas in the Newcastle U19s competition.
Canterbury are confident they have picked up a handy try scorer who is comfortable at fullback, wing and centre.
Sloan’s Red V career not over yet?
I can’t get anyone at the Dragons to confirm it, but there are whispers Tyrell Sloan may be a chance of remaining at the club in 2027.
Sloan has signed to play with Castleford in Super League, but raised eyebrows in a recent post-match TV interview when he declared he doesn’t want to go.
Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan. Getty Images
The fact that Castleford parted ways with Aussie coach Ryan Carr, who was instrumental in signing Sloan, has also muddied the waters.
The flying winger has been the Red V’s top try scorer for the past two years – despite spending some time out of the team – and gives the struggling team some X-factor with his speed out wide.
Several rival NRL clubs are also interested in Sloan, whose defence has always been a worry, but that may be outweighed by his ability to get over the line.
