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Manly have tabled a monster $5.6 million package deal in a bid to retain Haumole Olakau’atu until at least the end of 2030 as the club also entertains the prospect of a player swap to lure Wests Tigers prop Alex Twal.
Olakau’atu is already contracted until the end of 2025, although his current deal doesn’t reflect his status as one of the NRL’s most damaging back-rowers. The parties have been working for several months on an upgrade package, which was delivered last week in the form of a five-year extension. Sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity given the negotiations are ongoing, have told this masthead the deal averages out to about $800,000 per year.
With the exception of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Dylan Brown, who have clauses in their contracts which could result in them staying at the Titans and Parramatta until the end of 2033 and 2031 respectively, no player has a deal to stay at their current club for longer.
The Sea Eagles are also in the market for Twal, who has been granted permission to explore his options despite being contracted to the Tigers for next year. A move to the northern beaches could come in the form of a player swap with Manly’s Sean Keppie, who has also been given to speak to rivals despite being contracted until the end of 2026.
Given Keppie and Twal are on similar pay packets for next year – in the vicinity of $500,000 – a swap could hold appeal for both clubs. The Sea Eagles and Tigers have been contacted for comment.
No deal has yet been brokered as several other clubs consider making a play for Twal. One of them is Canterbury, who are on the lookout for middle forwards. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has already made his pitch to Twal.
Manly has tabled a big extension offer to Haumole Olakau’atu.Credit: Getty
“Our coach spoke to him this week,” Canterbury supremo Phil Gould confirmed on the Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“There’s very, very little out there on the market, so I guess when a player like that comes on the market you’ve got to do your due diligence and have a chat, so the coach went and had a chat this week.
“In a world with mobile phones and cameras someone had to take a photo of it and send it to the media.”
Gould added: “I think Manly and the Tigers are discussing perhaps a trade, or a swap, with Alex. We’ll know more next week what his intentions are, and we’ve got to decide whether that’s right for us as well.
Alex Twal could be on the move from the Tigers.Credit: Getty
“Alex has to decide whether that’s right for him.”
Olakau’atu would be one of the game’s most sought-after players if allowed to hit the open market, but Manly have made keeping him their top priority. Only last month, the 24-year-old Tongan international fulfilled a lifelong ambition to purchase his parents a house, in the south-western Sydney suburb of Hinchinbrook.
The Sea Eagles have already bolstered their 2024 roster with the signings of Tigers trio Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Aitasi James, as well as Rooster Jaxson Paulo. Those gains have been offset by the losses of Parramatta-bound Kelma Tuilagi and Canberra recruit Kaeo Weekes, while several other contracted players have been given permission to explore their options.
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