The Parramatta Eels have officially entered the race to sign Kangaroos forward Keaon Koloamatangi from Souths, with reports they’ve tabled the 27-year-old a massive four-year offer. Koloamatangi is contracted at the Bunnies until the end of next season but is free to speak with rival NRL clubs about a move in 2027 and is one of the biggest names on the open market.
League reporter Michael Chammas told The Bye Round Podcast this week that the Dragons were prepared to offer the rep forward a whopping $5 million deal over 5 years to prise him away from the Rabbitohs. It comes after Koloamatangi was reportedly taken to Wollongong via a private helicopter last week to tour the Dragons’ facilities in an indication of how serious Shane Flanagan’s side are of recruiting the versatile forward.
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles (R) has met with Kangaroos star Keaon Koloamatangi (top left) and the Eels have reportedly tabled the Souths forward a massive four-year offer. Pic: Getty
The Roosters are another club who’ve been linked to the Kangaroos star, who was part of Australia’s recent Ashes series clean sweep in England. Koloamatangi’s Kangaroos teammate Angus Crichton is off contract with the Roosters at the end of next season and is thought to be considering a switch to rugby union, which could free up salary cap space for the Chooks to make a play for the Souths star, who has indicated he wants to remain in Sydney.
And Parramatta have now emerged as a major threat to the Rabbitohs’ hopes of keeping hold of their best forward. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the rep star and his manager have met with Eels coach Jason Ryles and that Parramatta have tabled Koloamatangi a “four-year offer worth seven figures a season”, according to sources who cannot comment on the situation publicly.
Given the reported offer from the Dragons is for one extra year at $1 million a season, it would have to be a compelling deal from the Eels to lure the Kangaroos star to the club. Koloamatangi was a revelation for the Rabbitohs in 2025, and was easily their best player in a season plagued by multiple injuries to their stars.
Keaon Koloamatangi (L) was outstanding for the Rabbitohs in 2025 and has emerged as one of the most in-demand players on the NRL open market. Pic: Getty
Eels have money to spend after releasing Zac Lomax
Parramatta’s ability to splash the cash on the Souths star has been boosted by the release of Zac Lomax, who was touted for a switch to R360 before it was delayed until 2028. The Origin and Kangaroos winger was on a reported $650,000 per season with the Eels, meaning they suddenly have around $2 million to spend.
Parramatta have recently extended livewire fullback Isaiah Iongi until the end of 2030 after a breakout season in the NRL that earned him a maiden Test call-up with Tonga. But the Eels have parted ways with the likes of Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright, and the addition of Koloamatangi would significantly bolster Ryles’ forward pack at Parramatta.
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Souths were thought to be close to extending their most important forward on a lucrative new deal months ago and will be rueing the fact they haven’t tied him down long-term after the significant interest from rival clubs. But Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker told reporters on Tuesday that he was hopeful the Kangaroos star would stay and potentially finish his career as a one-club player.
“He’s a Souths junior, played the majority of his childhood career at Mascot,” Walker said. “I’m sure everyone at the club is doing everything they can to keep him here. We as a playing group want to keep him, he’s done a fantastic job for us over the years, probably been in the top three or four players at our club last season. He’s been awesome.”