Cronulla are considering making talented Knights utility Connor Watson their next big-name signing for 2022.
When the Knights are at full strength, Watson is their No.14 and the former NRL Nines player of the tournament understandably wants a starting role.
Watson has a close relationship with incoming Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon - the pair were together at the Roosters for several seasons.
The versatile Watson can play almost anywhere in the backline and as well as hooker.
But his preferred position is in the halves and with Chad Townsend going to the Cowboys and question marks over the futures of Matt Moylan and Shaun Johnson, there could be a spot there for him under Fitzgibbon.
The Sharks have already signed two handy players in Nicho Hynes (Storm) and Cameron McInnes (Dragons) and will have plenty of money to spend for next year with Andrew Fifita, Josh Dugan, Townsend, Johnson and several other players set to leave the club.
TOWNSEND MAY JOIN COWBOYS EARLY
Still on Townsend, he may find himself in Townsville sooner rather than later.
His contract doesn't kick in until next year but he is currently playing for the Sharks' feeder club Newtown.
The Sharks are prepared to let him move early - if the Cowboys can arrange a suitable player swap.
The two clubs are currently looking at their options.
The Cowboys are struggling for direction in the halves and recently allowed the much-improved Jake Clifford to go to Newcastle.
Townsend is a premiership-winning five-eighth who would give coach Todd Payten leadership and a kicking game.
BULLDOGS BAD-BOY FIGHTING FOR CAREER
Remember Jayden Okunbor, the speedy Bulldogs outside back?
The 24-year-old has been plagued by knee injuries over the past 12 months and hasn't stepped onto the field yet this season.
But the local junior, who was stood down early last year then reinstated months later after an unsavoury off-field incident, is set to return to the field within the next fortnight.
The pressure will be on Okunbor - he is unsigned for next year, so he needs to show something in the second half of the season to land a new deal.
The tall winger has the ability but the Dogs will closely monitor how he performs coming back from his knee issues.
WARRIORS EYEING-OFF MANLY UTILITY
The Warriors have made inquiries about out-of-favour Manly utility Cade Cust.
Cust was getting very little game time with the Sea Eagles before suffering a leg injury recently.
The 22-year-old hooker/halfback doesn't look like he will get much opportunity at Manly the way the team is going so he is assessing his options.
Cust is a real talent and the Warriors could use more depth in both the halfback and hooker spots so the move could happen.
Watch this space.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/mole-cronulla-sharks-connor-watson-chad-townsend-cowboys-bulldogs-warriors/6c7ecfef-93f5-4ac6-83b4-c17e42bc239d
0 Comments