The Mole: Cult hero 'in hot demand' as Sharks facing awkward 10-player signing squeeze

Cronulla is in danger of losing cult hero prop Tom Hazelton, with at least seven clubs circling the giant Shark.

The 25-year-old late bloomer has become a fan favourite at the club this season, playing 23 games and powering his way over for seven tries.

But Hazelton is still unsigned for 2026, which means he can sign for any club in the league from November 1.

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The Sharks are desperate to keep the long-striding prop but it is believed they have salary cap issues and need to cut some dead wood before offering him a new deal.

"I have had inquiries from seven or eight clubs about big Tom - they are waiting until November 1 when they are officially allowed to talk to him about 2026," Hazelton's manager Gavin Orr told Wide World of Sports.

"He is really in hot demand - he's had a breakout year."

Hazelton hails from Goulburn and was recommended to the Sharks by club legend Gavin Miller, who also hails from the same NSW country town.

The Sharks have a lot of work to do to retain their squad - Oregon Kaufusi is unsigned for 2025 while Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Briton Nikora, Braydon Trindall, Kade Dykes, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Teig Wilton and Teig Wilton are also free to talk to rival clubs come November 1.

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CLUBS LINE UP FOR BOOM KIWI

NRL clubs are lining up to sign a powerhouse Kiwi centre who has had a breakout season in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition.

Joseph Vite, a 105kg running machine, has been wowing them at Warwick and attracted the attention of NRL scouts.

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Vite recently won the Toowoomba Rugby League representative player of the year award and was named to play for the Queensland Country team.

A New Zealand-born rugby union convert, Vite has learned the basics of league well over the past two seasons and will be a great development prospect for the NRL.

DOLPHINS CHASING GUN KNIGHT

Two weeks ago, much-improved utility forward Brodie Jones and the Knights beat the Dolphins to secure the final spot in the top eight.

The Dolphins were clearly impressed - they are now chasing the 26-year-old for next season.

Jones, who scored a crucial try in the sudden death clash, has just finished his fifth season with the Knights, playing 18 games, often making a strong impact off the bench.

The Knights want to keep the strongly-built forward, but with new recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan hunting big game, may not have the room to keep him in the salary cap.

JOURNO SETTLES DISMISSAL CASE

Former Fox Sports journalist and veteran sports writer Paul Kent has settled his wrongful dismissal lawsuit against News Limited out of court.

The two parties agreed on a settlement recently after Kent launched action challenging his termination with the Fair Work Commission.

The former NRL 360 host and Daily Telegraph columnist was stood down after video footage of him fighting with another man outside well known Sydney eatery Totti's restaurant in Rozelle went viral in April.

He was dismissed by the company three months later.

All details of the agreement between Kent and News Limited remain confidential.