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RCG drops expansion bomb, informs Eels he won’t take up 2023 contract option
Reagan Campbell-Gillard has informed the Eels he won’t be taking up the option in his contract for the 2023 season as he weighs up a move to the Dolphins.
Earlier this week, the NRL rubber-stamped the Dolphins’ inclusion in the 2023 season and champion coach Wayne Bennett is close to signing a four-year deal to lead the club.
Bennett will be armed with an expected 2023 salary cap of $10 million to spend on his foundation roster. A signing frenzy will kick off from November 1 when players who come off contract in 2022 are free to negotiate with rivals.
News Corp revealed on Friday that Campbell-Gillard’s management informed the Eels that he won’t be activating the 12-month player-option in his contract for 2023.
The 28-year-old joined the Eels last year on a five-year deal — 2023 as an option in his favour and 2024 in the club’s favour — after he was released from the Panthers.
Campbell-Gillard’s manager, Mark Stewart, confirmed the decision to go to market from November 1.
“We’ve informed Parramatta that Reagan isn’t taking up his option for 2023,” he told News Corp.
“I want to stress there is no issue with Parramatta.
“He is grateful for all the Eels have done to resurrect his career after leaving Penrith and we will be giving Parramatta every chance to keep him because he has really enjoyed his time at the club.
“We will go to the open market and clubs will want to speak to us come November 1, which brings a second Brisbane team into the equation.
“He would certainly entertain being the face of a new Brisbane franchise.”
Campbell-Gillard is understood to be earning around $750,000 per season currently, however Penrith have been chipping in a substantial amount.
Given he won’t be activating his option for 2023, the option in the Eels’ favour for 2024 is automatically voided.
The former New South Wales Origin representative is open to offers from all NRL clubs, but his manager says an opportunity to be a part of the Dolphins’ is “attractive.”
“A second Brisbane team would certainly be attractive,” Stewart said.
“Reagan and his partner are expecting their first child in January and they are weighing up some family considerations. They spent the last few months in Queensland during Covid and it was quite appealing to raise a young family.
“Wayne Bennett’s track record speaks for itself. Like Brad Arthur (Eels coach), Reagan would thrive under Wayne’s coaching.
“Reagan is close to a lot of players at Parramatta, Brad has been fantastic for him and he really enjoys being coached by him. However, we need to explore our options before we make any decision on which way he will move going forward.
“He has the chance to be the face of a new organisation.”
The general manager of the Dolphins’ bid, Terry Reader, said it’s “great” that Campbell-Gillard is interested but the club won’t sign any players until Bennett is locked in.
“Reagan is a quality player and you have to take notice of a player of his calibre,” he said.
“Until we get the coach locked in, it’s hard to work out which players we will sign.
“It’s great to hear a player of Reagan’s calibre is interested in the Dolphins, but we cannot approach players until November 1, so we will respect the process.”
www.foxsports.com.au
Reagan Campbell-Gillard has informed the Eels he won’t be taking up the option in his contract for the 2023 season as he weighs up a move to the Dolphins.
Earlier this week, the NRL rubber-stamped the Dolphins’ inclusion in the 2023 season and champion coach Wayne Bennett is close to signing a four-year deal to lead the club.
Bennett will be armed with an expected 2023 salary cap of $10 million to spend on his foundation roster. A signing frenzy will kick off from November 1 when players who come off contract in 2022 are free to negotiate with rivals.
News Corp revealed on Friday that Campbell-Gillard’s management informed the Eels that he won’t be activating the 12-month player-option in his contract for 2023.
The 28-year-old joined the Eels last year on a five-year deal — 2023 as an option in his favour and 2024 in the club’s favour — after he was released from the Panthers.
Campbell-Gillard’s manager, Mark Stewart, confirmed the decision to go to market from November 1.
“We’ve informed Parramatta that Reagan isn’t taking up his option for 2023,” he told News Corp.
“I want to stress there is no issue with Parramatta.
“He is grateful for all the Eels have done to resurrect his career after leaving Penrith and we will be giving Parramatta every chance to keep him because he has really enjoyed his time at the club.
“We will go to the open market and clubs will want to speak to us come November 1, which brings a second Brisbane team into the equation.
“He would certainly entertain being the face of a new Brisbane franchise.”
Campbell-Gillard is understood to be earning around $750,000 per season currently, however Penrith have been chipping in a substantial amount.
Given he won’t be activating his option for 2023, the option in the Eels’ favour for 2024 is automatically voided.
The former New South Wales Origin representative is open to offers from all NRL clubs, but his manager says an opportunity to be a part of the Dolphins’ is “attractive.”
“A second Brisbane team would certainly be attractive,” Stewart said.
“Reagan and his partner are expecting their first child in January and they are weighing up some family considerations. They spent the last few months in Queensland during Covid and it was quite appealing to raise a young family.
“Wayne Bennett’s track record speaks for itself. Like Brad Arthur (Eels coach), Reagan would thrive under Wayne’s coaching.
“Reagan is close to a lot of players at Parramatta, Brad has been fantastic for him and he really enjoys being coached by him. However, we need to explore our options before we make any decision on which way he will move going forward.
“He has the chance to be the face of a new organisation.”
The general manager of the Dolphins’ bid, Terry Reader, said it’s “great” that Campbell-Gillard is interested but the club won’t sign any players until Bennett is locked in.
“Reagan is a quality player and you have to take notice of a player of his calibre,” he said.
“Until we get the coach locked in, it’s hard to work out which players we will sign.
“It’s great to hear a player of Reagan’s calibre is interested in the Dolphins, but we cannot approach players until November 1, so we will respect the process.”
RCG drops expansion bomb on Eels; Roosters star set to re-sign: NRL Transfer Whispers
RCG’s expansion bomb for Eels; Roosters star set to re-sign: NRL Transfer Whispers
www.foxsports.com.au
