Squad lists show cashed-up Knights hold key to transfer market

Kangaroos prop David Klemmer is not the only player in Newcastle’s sights, with the Knights holding the key to any significant movement in the transfer market after being the only club to register the minimum 24 players with the NRL before Thursday’s deadline.

Under the terms of the CBA between the NRL and RLPA, all 16 NRL clubs must have the contracts of 24 players registered by November 1, with the number increased to 29 by March 1 and their top 30 roster finalised by June 30.

The lists are published by NRL.com at noon the following day and the initial 2019 squads reveal the Knights have registered just 24 contracts, whereas Canterbury and Penrith both have 29 players contracted for next season.

Newcastle have signed young hooker Zac Woolford from the Bulldogs but he has not officially been lodged as a top-30 squad member as yet.

Canberra (25) also appear to have room in their squads for more signings, with the Raiders looking to bolster their depth in the halves after losing Ata Hingano for eight months with a shoulder injury suffered in Tonga's loss to Australia last month. Corey Horsburgh and Hudson Young are set to be added to the Raiders' senior squad.

However, most clubs are either close to finalising their rosters or waiting for big-name players, such as Klemmer, to create a domino effect by making a pre-season move.

Klemmer has been given permission to negotiate with the Knights and is expected to officially seek a release from the Bulldogs but Newcastle officials have rejected a swap deal for centre Jesse Ramien or any other player.

This would indicate the Bulldogs are keen to add a strike centre to their roster before the start of next season.

The Knights, who reportedly have $2 million in space for new signings, have also been linked to Parramatta centre Michael Jennings and Penrith forward Trent Merrin, although it is understood the Panthers would be reluctant to release him to another NRL club and he is tipped to join Leeds.

Like Penrith, the Eels have little room to move in their 2019 roster as they have 28 registered players and are unable to accommodate Jarryd Hayne under the $9.6 million salary cap without moving Jennings or another star.

Brisbane have 26 players registered but are believed to be close to finalising contracts with Corey Oates, Tevita Pangai jnr and Matt Lodge.

Melbourne's list of 27 players does not include captain Cameron Smith but a new deal is also near fruition, while South Sydney's 28-man squad is missing 2014 premiership winning skipper John Sutton and the club's leading try scorer of last season, Robert Jennings, who are also finalising contracts.

To add any additional players to their squad next season, the Rabbitohs will need others to leave as the addition of Sutton and Jennings would complete their top 30. Richie Kennar is listed for 2019 but is in the process of finalising a release to complete a Mormon missionary.

Manly also have little room as the club announced a 29-man squad this week, although they are yet to register the contracts of former NSW Origin playmaker Trent Hodkinson and Semisi Kioa, while the Sea Eagles have listed five-eighth Lachlan Croker as a development player.

It is understood Hodkinson has taken up an option in his contract to play for Manly next season.

Sydney Roosters have been arguably the biggest movers at the top end of the transfer market for next season, with NSW Origin second-rower Angus Crichton, England winger Ryan Hall, former international Brett Morris and Newcastle playmaker Brock Lamb included on their list of 27 registered players.

However, the premiers have lost Blake Ferguson to Parramatta and nine other players have gone elsewhere or do not have contracts registered with the NRL for next season.

Of the other clubs, the Warriors have 27 registered players, as do Gold Coast, whose recruits include NSW Origin utility Tyrone Peachey and former Test prop Shannon Boyd, while Cronulla, North Queensland, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers have each registered 28 contracts.

The Dragons have been linked to Jarryd Hayne but officials insist ther priority is finding a winger to cover for the departures of Nene Macdonald to the Cowboys and Jason Nightingale to retirement.