Wests Tigers ready to pounce as Papalii rejects Parramatta offer

The Wests Tigers are circling star Eels back-rower Isaiah Papali’i after he rejected Parramatta’s offer of a two-year extension on Friday.

Papali’i, who has one more year to run on his contract with the Eels, has been in negotiations with the club about an extension since the season ended over a month ago.

Isaiah Papali’i in action against the Wests Tigers earlier in the year.Credit:NRL Photos

Parramatta are willing to upgrade his $200,000 contract to about $275,000 next year, but the Eels aren’t budging on their $425,000-a-season offer as part of a two-year extension for 2023 and 2024.

Papali’i’s manager notified the club on Friday that his client has opted to formally reject their offer and instead hit the open market on November 1 when he is free to negotiate with rival teams.

The Wests Tigers have already indicated they would be in a position to make an offer. The Herald understands the Tigers, led by new director of football Tim Sheens, are willing to offer up to $600,000 to lure Papali’i away from the Eels in 2023.

Former Tigers general manager Adam Hartigan had been manoeuvring behind the scenes for weeks trying to convince Papali’i that the Wests Tigers and coach Michael Maguire were worth taking a chance on.

Hartigan has since parted ways with the club, with Sheens and recently appointed recruitment manager Warren McDonnell picking things up.

It comes as negotiations between the Tigers and Luciano Leilua’s manager have hit a road block. Leilua’s manager has been asking for in excess of $700,000 a season from the Tigers for the back-rower.

However club officials believe Papali’i, the reigning Dally M back-rower of the year, could be better value at around $550,000-$600,000 a year to play the same position.

Papali’i was a revelation for the Eels after joining the club from the Warriors in 2021, pushing his way into the starting side following the lifeline handed to him by coach Brad Arthur.

Isaiah Papali’i celebrates after scoring a try in Canberra.Credit:Getty

He scored seven tries and averaged 150 metres per game in a breakout year, finishing the season with 109 tackle breaks and 30 offloads from 25 games played. He also finished the year third in the NRL for post-contact metres.

The Eels have a number of players who will hit the open market in a couple of days, with skipper Clint Gutherson, hooker Reed Mahoney and props Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard all free to negotiate with other clubs for 2023.

The other unknown is the future of Ryan Matterson, who appears to be on the outer at the club despite joining the Eels from the Tigers two years ago. Matterson recently took up an option in his favour to remain at the Eels in 2022.

The Tigers themselves are in the middle of negotiations with Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson. Hodgson is on a deal worth $900,000 for next year, however a six per cent reduction in the salary cap due to the impact of COVID-19 means he is owed around $850,000 in 2022.

The Wests Tigers have indicated they are willing to pay $500,000 of his salary, plus another year on top. The Raiders, however, will only chip in $100,000 for next year leaving the two parties $250,000 apart.

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