The Bulldogs have reportedly given both Paul Alamoti and Jake Averillo permission to test the open market is a shock move.

Salary cap pressures have been cited as the reason behind the duo’s potential exit as the Belmore-based club hunt for a halfback according to WWOS.

Both Alamoti and Averillo are without contracts for the 2024 season and at least one of the duo will have to depart the Bulldogs.

Alamoti, 19, has previously been linked with the Cowboys and was spotted in Sydney meeting with head coach Todd Payten.

The young gun is highly touted and is only 13 games in to his NRL career, scoring one try so far this season.

Meanwhile, Averillo has also played 13 games this season, adding to his 67 total first grade appearances.

The 22-year-old has been impressive so far this season, scoring seven tries to go with two try assists and eight line breaks.

BROOKS EXTENSION AND TIGERS’ OVERHAUL

 

The Tigers have reportedly tabled a $1 million extension to maligned halfback Luke Brooks as a roster overhaul looms for the Leichhardt-based club.

Brooks is currently earning north of $1 million this season and negotiations have began for him to remain with the merger club beyond 2023.

According to The Daily Telegraph, head coach Tim Sheens and assistant Benji Marshall are masterminding a new two-year extension worth over $500,000 per-season.

The 28-year-old has been a central figure in the Tigers’ return to form in recent weeks, playing a starring role in a shock Round 9 victory over the Panthers.

However, rival clubs are said to be monitoring his situation and the halfback may look for a fresh start elsewhere.

Sheens has made it public he wants Brooks to remain as a one-club player and has issued several public defences of the playmaker.

The move comes after the club’s failed pursuit of Mitchell Moses and after being turned down by Warriors veteran Shaun Johnson, who is also without a contract for 2024.

Brooks’ decision looms as key factor in the club’s success in years to come with only one fit playmaker on their books if he departs.

Star five-eighth Adam Doueihi is likely to miss the majority of the 2024 season following a knee reconstruction while Brandon Wakeham currently partners Brooks.

Manly five-eighth Josh Schuster has reportedly been linked with a move to the Tigers, while Kyle Flanagan, Adam Clune, Drew Hutchison and Ben Hampton are all off-contract.

Meanwhile, four other players are reportedly on the chopping block — Daine Laurie, Shawn Blore, Jake Simpkin and David Nofoaluma.

Laurie reportedly has interest from Super League clubs and could make a move abroad to revitalise his career.

The 23-year-old former Panther was also linked with a move to the Eels, while Blore has also been pitched to clubs in England.

Nofoaluma spent the back-end of last season with the Storm and made no secret he enjoyed his spell in Melbourne.