Dolphins star’s hint on future; Dragons’ big $600k move in roster cleanout: NRL Daily

Dolphins centre Jack Bostock says he would prefer to stay with the club beyond 2027 and talks have already begun on an extension as the Origin rookie’s remarkable winning streak shows no signs of slowing down heading into the finals.

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Bostock has another year to run on his current deal and there are reports that a number of clubs will make him a priority target if he hits the open market on November 1.

But there’s a chance it doesn’t get that far with the 23-year-old making it clear he wants to stay at the Dolphins who have the most potent backline in the NRL with Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth and Jamayne Isaako.

“I don’t really listen to that stuff. I try to stay off my phone with all that footy stuff,” he told the NewsWire.

“I’m happy to be on my phone on socials and talking to mates and stuff, but I try to stay off all the footy stuff and just don’t read into any of it.

“I’ve been talking to the Dolphins here with the club trying to sort out something, so I’m sure we’ll be sorting that out soon.

“For sure, 100 per cent (my preference is to stay).”

Keeping Bostock is a no-brainer for the Dolphins given the strike centre is yet to lose a game this year after a shocking knee injury cut short his 2025 campaign.

Bostock made it 13 NRL wins in a row after his side knocked off the Roosters to move up to third spot on the ladder, while he also tasted victory on debut for NSW in the Origin decider.

The Dolphins have lost seven of the 10 games that he’s missed this year, with Bostock looking to match it with Penrith great Nathan Cleary who won 19 of his 20 games in 2021, including a 16-match streak in the regular season that finished with him winning the title.

“There have obviously been a few (games) that I’ve missed as well, so I haven’t been there all year, but it is a pretty cool streak,” he said.

(There are no superstitions), nothing crazy. I don’t want to start one because I’ve got a little bit of an addictive personality, so I might have too many by the end of the season.”

Teammates are aware of the streak and also how hard he’s worked to get back on the field after his brutal knee injury.

“I’m on social media so I’ve seen that stat before,” five-eighth Kodi Nikorima said.

“He’s incredible. To come back from an ACL injury and slot in so seamlessly (is a testament to him).

“He’s gone above and beyond what he did last year.

“It’s a credit to his resilience to get through his rehab. To see him excel and playing well makes me so happy.”

DRAGONS CONFIRM DEPARTURE OF LOCAL JUNIOR

St George Illawarra Dragons prop Blake Lawrie will leave the club at the end of 2026 after 170 games for his junior club.

The Dragons confirmed the news on Sunday evening and the 29-year-old could end up in the Super League, although his next club is unknown at this stage.

The Dapto Canaries junior came through the club’s academy before making his NRL debut in 2017.

His move will free up a good chunk of room in the salary cap given he is on $600,000 this season.

In 2023, he won the Red V Members Player of the Year and the Community Involvement Award.

The Dragons said in a statement: “The St George Illawarra Dragons can confirm that Blake Lawrie will be departing the club come season’s end.”

“A Dapto Canaries junior, Lawrie came through the Dragons Academy and debuted for the club in 2017, going on to make 170 appearances across 10 seasons,” it continued.

“Thank you for all you’ve done for our club and community, Blocka”

The Dragons have gone on a spending spree in recent months with the signings of Scott Drinkwater, Connor Watson, Phillip Sami, Luke Metcalf, Kodi Nikorima and Keaon Koloamatangi.

To make room for them they’ve had to not only let Lawrie go but the likes of Damien Cook, Tyrell Sloan, Jaydn Su’A, Emre Guler, Asher Chapman, Mathew Feagai, Nathan Lawson and Christian Tuipulotu.

COWBOYS ADD TO FORWARD DEPTH WITH STORM SIGNING

The Cowboys have pounced on Joe Chan, who will head to Townsville on a two-year deal after he was granted an early release from his contract with the Melbourne Storm.

Chan played 47 games for the Storm, with his versatility allowing him to play in the back row or in the centres during their injury crisis.

But he’s been released early from his deal and will join the Cowboys in 2027.

“Joe is a bigger body, he’s athletic and can play both edge and middle, which gives us something a little different to what we currently have in our forward pack,” Cowboys list and recruitment manager Clint Zammit said.

“He is coming out of a strong system and has already gained valuable experience, having played almost 50 NRL games for the Storm in addition to a stint in the UK Super League.

“We believe Joe is a great fit for the Cowboys and our style of football.

“At 24, we have no doubt his best football is still ahead of him, and we are really looking forward to having Joe join our club and seeing him continue to develop and reach his potential.”

Chan joined the Storm in 2023 and followed in the footsteps of his dad, Alex, who spent two seasons in Melbourne.

“Joey has been a valuable member of our NRL squad over the past four years and has worked hard for his opportunities. He’s a versatile player who has played his role for the team on numerous occasions,” Storm director of football Frank Ponissi said.

“We’re thankful for Joey’s contribution to Storm and wish him the best with his move to Townsville next season.”

VOLKMAN REFLECTS ON END TO DRAGONS STINT

Eels half Ronald Volkman has had his say on this week’s opponent, the Dragons, who he faces for the first time since a messy contractual fiasco.

In January 2024, Volkman was released from his contract with the Warriors to join St George Illawarra on a one-year deal before a routine medical by the Dragons revealed he was carrying a shoulder injury, which required surgery.

The Dragons immediately tore up his contract, leaving Volkman without a club for 2024 before Parramatta eventually picked him up on a two-year deal.

The NRL handed the Dragons a suspended $40,000 fine for their mishandling of the situation.

“I never thought in 2024 that I’d see an NRL game again,” Volkman told foxsports.com.au in June.

Volkman told AAP what he thought about the Dragons, more than two years after the club let him go.

“To be honest, I don’t hold any malice against the Dragons. Everything happens for a reason,” Volkman said.

“Saying that, it’s just going to be another game for us. We obviously want to finish off (the season) strong.”

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Volkman has been one of the few bright sparks at the struggling 13th-placed Eels this season, scoring seven tries and setting up a further 10 from his 17 games.

He ousted Jonah Pezet for the No. 6 jersey and has formed a good partnership with Mitchell Moses in the halves.

The 24-year-old is coming off a great game on Sunday against the Sharks in which he scored a stunning individual try, made a line break and had a line break assist in the upset win.

He’s off contract at the end of this season and his management is currently in negotiations with the Eels while the Bulldogs are reportedly monitoring his situation along with English Super League clubs.

NRL CLUBS SHOW INTEREST IN SUPER LEAGUE INVESTMENT

NRL clubs will consider buying stakes in English Super League clubs if the Australian Rugby League Commission takes over the struggling competition.

The Commission offered $57 million for a 50 per cent stake in the Super League earlier this month, but it has been reported in the UK that the Rugby League Commercial (RLC) is asking for a $94 million loan instead.

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that some NRL clubs believe buying into a Super League club is a sound investment.

“It’s a really interesting idea, but we’re not going to burn any energy on it until the NRL confirm they have management control of the league,” South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly said.

Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner said while his club wouldn’t be buying into a Super League team, it would be open to forming a partnership with an English club.

“We would be prepared to look at some type of partnership that could go both ways. We could potentially have some of our players loaned out over there or maybe some of their juniors could benefit from playing in our systems. It’s certainly worth exploring,” Furner said.

Swedish private equity firm EQT recently became a majority shareholder in the Melbourne Storm and its chairman and co-owner Matt Tripp said the club would “never say never” to investing in a Super League franchise.

One NRL club chief executive told the Sydney Morning Herald: “There’s an opportunity to support, resource and partner in some shape. Whether that’s an acquisition or not is something to be explored when things happen with the NRL.”

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