Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga only signed an extension with the Dragons last month, but a fresh clause in his deal has been revealed that could see him secure an early release.
According to Code Sports, Pasifiki Tonga’s management negotiated for their client’s new to be tied to the future of rookie coach Dean Young.
If he is sacked, the 21-year-old’s clause is activated and he is free to depart the club before his deal expires at the end of the 2029 season.
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This clause is nothing new in the NRL, with Payne Haas reportedly including a similar clause tying him to Wayne Bennett ahead of his move to the Rabbitohs next season.
Interestingly, Young’s own contract only runs until the end of 2028, with a clause in the club’s favour for the 2029 season.
Therefore, Pasifiki Tonga could depart early if Young doesn’t earn an extension and Red V powerbrokers don’t take up their option.
Pasifiki Tonga only signed his fresh contract last month, ending speculation surrounding his future after the talented prop requested an immediate release.
Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga of the Dragons.Source: Getty Images
The rising star was frustrated with his first grade involvement during his time under Shane Flanagan, but emerged as a key player under Young.
The Dragons were desperate to retain one of their best young talents, and he signed on not long after Young was confirmed as the Red V’s head coach moving forward.
Meanwhile, the 2026 wooden spooners will also welcome a host of talent next season with the likes of Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater, Phillip Sami and Luke Metcalf all joining the club.
PHINS’ BIG BOOST
The Dolphins have had a retention win in the midst of their first finals series, locking down boom back rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki on a multi-year deal.
The club have 14 players who are under contract until the end of next season, meaning they’ll become free agents from November 1 if they don’t re-sign before then.
The list includes Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Flegler and Trai Fuller.
Finefeuiaki was set to become a free agent as well but he’s secured his future with the Dolphins until the end of 2029.
Selwyn Cobbo was also extended on Friday while exciting flyer Tevita Naufahu also inked an extension with the club in recent days.
The edge forward is enjoying a career year, setting new highs in running metres, tackles and tackle busts.
His form was also rewarded with a maiden Origin jersey for Queensland.
While the Finefeuiaki development is a big boost for Dolphins fans, Farnworth is being heavily chased by the Roosters while Bostock, who also earned a debut Origin jersey this year, has been linked to several Sydney clubs.
Meanwhile, there have been reports that suggest star fullback Tabuai-Fidow is chasing upward of $1.4 million a season with his next deal.
So clearly, there’s still a fair bit of work to do by the club to lock down their stars, but Dolphins CEO Terry Reader are confident they’ll be able to.
“That’s still our intention — that we’ll be able to hold on to hopefully all of them,” Reader told CODE Sports.
“The numbers getting thrown around in the media sometimes are a little bit exaggerated.
“Let’s start with Herbie. All this noise was around last year (that Farnworth would leave) and he re-signed.
“Herbie does things a bit differently to other guys, but he’s given us no indication that he’ll be going anywhere.
“If everyone wants the most they could possibly get at a different club, then we won’t be able to match that stuff… but if you think about where the salary cap is going, and even when you look at ratchet clauses (with salary cap to rise in 2028), they’re all going to be very well-paid men.”
Phins up in Redcliffe? | 01:42
TURBO EYES NEW DEAL
Manly Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic has reportedly set his sights on a new contract as he contemplates his long-term future beyond his current deal.
Able to speak with rival teams from November 1, CODE Sports reports that ‘Tommy Turbo’ is keen to extend with his current side on a two-year contract to end his playing career.
It is understood that in doing so, he is eyeing a mouth-watering $2 million extension – $1 million per season.
However, concerns over his fitness and durability may force him to take a pay-cut of the $900,000 a season he will earn in 2027.
A two-year extension would take Trbojevic through to the end of 2029, when he would be 33 years old
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 05: Tom Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles talks to his team during the round 27 NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and Manly Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium, on September 05, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
RABBITOHS’ HUGE CALL ON WALKER’S FUTURE
The Rabbitohs are reportedly preparing to offer veteran playmaker Cody Walker a one-year extension.
Walker enjoyed a strong season for the Bunnies, finishing fourth in the competition in try assists. His 26 were five behind leader Braydon Trindall.
Importantly, Walker was unencumbered by injury issues unlike previous seasons.
He played in 23 of 24 regular season games but suffered a calf injury in South Sydney’s finals loss to the Knights.
Walker formed a lethal halves partnership with the emerging halfback Ashton Ward when the pair were on the field together.
Souths were 11-3 this season when Walker and Ward were the starting halves. It’s expected that they’ll begin next year leading the side around.
Walker’s future with the Rabbitohs was said to be on thin ice following an ugly incident against Penrith in Round 18 when the five-eighth was suspended for kicking Jack Cogger, however, the 36-year-old was contrite and has since done everything right to earn himself another extension.
According to CODE Sports, Walker is expected to transition into coaching at the club when he hangs up the boots.
DOGS SET TO HOLD ONTO DISGRUNTLED PROP
The Bulldogs have reportedly held crisis talks with young gun prop Jack Underhill, who has been left disgruntled in recent months.
According to Code Sports, the 22-year-old is reportedly frustrated by Ciraldo’s decision to leave him out of the NRL team for the final two months of the season.
Underhill made his first grade debut in Round 11, going on to play seven games after coming through the club’s ranks, being named man of the match his the Dogs’ 2024 Jersey Flegg grand final win.
The young gun reportedly sat down with Ciraldo to seek clarity on his future — which reportedly yielded positive results.
Underhill will reportedly now remain at the club, accepting his coach’s feedback ahead of a huge pre-season looming for the talented prop.
Ciraldo reportedly informed Underhill he was considered a long-term first grader, but his defensive issues were the reason behind his NRL exile.
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SHOCK RAIDERS AND MANLY SWAP DEAL FLOATED
Canberra hooker Tom Starling has been touted for a shock switch to the Sea Eagles — and the Manly club could receive a player in return.
Owen Pattie has emerged as the Raiders’ long-term No.9, leaving Starling on the outer while the Sea Eagles are in need of an upgrade at hooker.
Brandon Wakeham filled the slot in 2026, while Jake Simpking has also been utilised as a hooker after Lachlan Croker was forced into medical retirement.
NRL great Bryan Fletcher revealed on radio, while speaking live with Canberra great turned Manly kicking coach Jarrod Croker, that Starling could be on the move.
“What’s happened with Tommy Starling? There’s a bit of chat he’s coming to Sydney,” Fletcher said on SEN League.
“I’m hearing Manly Sea Eagles.”
Croker said he hadn’t spoken to Starling in weeks but responded: “Well, they lost Lachlan Croker and Brandon Wakeham (has) done a good job, but they’ve been hanging out for a nine.
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“I mean, Owen Pattie, (it’s) gonna be hard to get that jersey back off him the way they’re going.
“Good person to have around the club, on and off the field, really good fella, Tommy.
“And a good player, so is Owen Pattie. It doesn’t surprise me, that little bit of gossip. He’d be valuable at any club Tommy he’s tough as nails.”
Now, according to Zero Tackle, Manly have minimal cap space available to hand to a new player, meaning a player swap could be on the cards.
Simpkin has been floated as the potential player to make the move to the nation’s capital, with Wakeham reportedly finalising a two-year extension to remain at the Sea Eagles.
Starling is contracted at Canberra for next season and the Raiders are already farewelling Jayden Brailey to Wests Tigers, so whether a move could eventuate for next year remains up in the air.