The Broncos have reportedly opened talks with star lock Patrick Carrigan over an upgraded contract extension. <\/p>\n
The Daily Telegraph<\/a> reported Carrigan\u2019s management have commenced negotiations about an upgrade and extension of his five-year deal that was signed in 2023 and expires in 2028. <\/p>\n Carrigan is on around $750,000 a season, which is well below his market value for an incumbent Origin and Kangaroos star. <\/p>\n Watch every game of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n \u201cPat is very happy at the Broncos and we\u2019re having some chats at the moment on an upgrade,\u201d Carrigan\u2019s manager Jeff Jurotte told Newscorp. <\/p>\n Arguably one of the best forwards in the game, Carrigan\u2019s deal is dwarfed by his contemporaries at other clubs like Souths skipper Cameron Murray and Panthers captain Isaah Yeo, while teammate Payne Haas is on over $1 million a season. <\/p>\n Carrigan opted for long-term security when he signed his last deal in 2023, but his standing in the game has risen in recent years and he deserves a pay packet to match it. <\/p>\n The versatile forward can cover anywhere in the pack bar hooker and is seen as a successor to Adam Reynolds as Broncos captain when he likely retires at the end of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n However, the Broncos could struggle to increase Carrigan\u2019s deal and keep all their stars with Haas, Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam all on deals worth $1 million a season plus. <\/p>\n However, the potential retirements of Ben Hunt and Reynolds at the end of the 2026 season could free up cash to upgrade Carrigan\u2019s deal. <\/p>\n Patrick Carrigan is in talks over a Broncos upgrade.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n STORM STAR LINKED WITH EELS AMID LOMAX\u2019S POTENTIAL CODE SWITCH <\/p>\n For good reason, there are a long list of teams showing interest in Jonah Pezet and there\u2019s another club who has reportedly entered the frame to land the promising Storm half. <\/p>\n According to The Daily Telegraph<\/a>, there has been speculation that Parramatta may look to add Pezet to their roster.<\/p>\n For that to happen, the Eels will need to clear some cash which would occur if high-priced winger Zac Lomax takes up a deal with rebel rugby union competition R360.<\/a><\/p>\n Lomax has three years to run on his deal, worth $650,000 a season, but as NRL360 host Braith Anasta reported on Tuesday night, Lomax might have played his last game for the Eels. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been doing bit of digging around and talking to people, and I heard a rumour today that Zac Lomax is about to sign a deal with them (R360),\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n Eels coach Jason Ryles didn\u2019t exactly pour water on the Lomax exit rumours.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d have a serious think about it. We\u2019d have to work through it with him. We\u2019ll cross that bridge when it comes,\u201d Ryles told The Daily Telegraph<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pezet is under contract with Melbourne until 2029 but a clause in his contract triggered when Jahrome Hughes re-signed long-term with the Storm which allows Pezet to sign elsewhere.<\/p>\n At this stage, the Titans, Cowboys, Knights and Raiders have all shown interest in Pezet. <\/p>\n DRAGONS PLAYMAKER IN RIVAL\u2019S SIGHTS<\/p>\n Out of favour Dragons halfback Lachlan Ilias could be set for his third club in as many years after being linked to the Gold Coast Titans as a replacement for retired half Kieran Foran. <\/p>\n The Daily Telegraph<\/a> reported Ilias is being targeted by Josh Hannay to join the Gold Coast Titans to shore up their halves depth. <\/p>\n Ilias is contracted to the Dragons for 2026, but with Daniel Atkinson, Kyle Flanagan and Lykhan King-Togia battling for the two halves spots, Ilias has slipped further down the pecking order. <\/p>\n It is unlikely the Dragons would reject an early release for Ilias to allow him to chase a starting role with the Titans after he fell out of favour early in the 2025 season after being dropped to reserve grade. <\/p>\n Should the Titans make a formal offer to Ilias, it could allow the Dragons to make a play for winger and centre Phillip Sami. <\/p>\n The Dragons are looking to boost their outside back stocks, while the Titans could pair Ilias with Jayden Campbell in the halves in a swap that makes both parties happy. <\/p>\n The Titans have also been linked with Knights discard Jackson Hastings, but that is reportedly no chance of happening. <\/p>\n Ilias, 25, has 60 games of NRL experience, including guiding the Rabbitohs to the 2022 preliminary final and the Titans are hoping he can take his game to the next level at the Gold Coast. <\/p>\n Lachlan Ilias has been linked to the Titans.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n SOUTHS SKIPPER EYES CODE SWITCH IN FUTURE<\/p>\n Souths skipper Cameron Murray has admitted he would consider a code switch to rugby union in the future after his family made sacrifices for him to chase premiership glory with the Rabbitohs. <\/p>\n The 27-year-old has scored 35 tries in 162 NRL games for Souths since his debut in 2017 and lost the 2021 Grand Final to the Panthers, while he has also played 15 Origins for the Blues and 10 Tests for the Kangaroos, including a World Cup win. <\/p>\n However, Murray was a talented rugby union schoolboys star for Newington College and was chased by then Wallabies coach Eddie Jones in 2023 to defect to the rival code. <\/p>\n The veteran back-rower is contracted to Souths until 2028, but would consider a code switch in the future, if he can tick off the final frontier on his rugby league bucket list. <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I could,\u201d Murray said on UNSCRIPTED by Josh Mansour when asked if he would consider a code switch.<\/p>\n \u201cI miss schoolboy rugby a little bit, but I think it\u2019d be arrogant to think it\u2019s going to be as fun.<\/p>\n \u201cSchoolboy rugby wasn\u2019t easy, but I was playing both at the same time and I haven\u2019t played union in ten years.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n PREDICTED DALLY M TEAM OF YEAR: Broncos star snubbed in shock shake-up<\/a><\/p>\n