Every chance Tigers lose Laurie after extension talks hit crossroads

Wests Tigers are on the verge of losing Dane Laurie to the open NRL market over a signing length dispute, with the joint venture club unwilling to bow to their fullback’s request for more years on his looming extension.

Laurie, 23, and the Tigers have been locked in talks for some time now, with Wests powerbrokers looking to agree a one-year extension with the incumbent fullback to keep him off the table for NRL rivals come Tuesday, November 1.

The Tigers star, who is still signed for the 2023 NRL season at this stage, would rather come to the table for more than a 12-month add-on.

He is, according to sources, more eager for two or three years.

And, funnily enough, it all has to do with Cameron Munster’s free agency.

The Melbourne maestro still hasn’t decided his future—though moving to the Dolphins looks very likely—and the Tigers are eager to keep in the race for the Queensland five-eighth for as long as possible. There’s even talks they may offer him the number one jersey to lure him to Concord.

That pie-in-the-sky hope from the orange and black negotiators have meant they’re unwilling to give Laurie more than 12 months on any new deal with the club, for now.

That split has ground talks between Laurie and the Tigers to a halt.

The Sporting Base has also heard Wests may want to move their 23-year-old fullback away from his rearguard role (to make room for Munster) and into the number six jumper if he does stick around. That floated role-swap will play a big part in Laurie’s decision to come back to the Tigers table.

There’s every chance it’s enough to spook him away, The Sporting Base understands—and into the open arms of several NRL rivals come that ever-looming November 1 negotiating date. The Titans, in particular, are paying close attention.

Laurie is currently on his annual leave from the club after they finished 16th.

The 23-year-old has played 38 games for the Tigers since joining in 2021, scoring nine tries. Before his Wests move, Laurie debuted for the Panthers in the 2022 season.

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