Katoa quietly pushing for early Dolphins exit to go back to Sydney

Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa has been quietly speaking to Redcliffe brass about how he can end his $650,000-a-year deal with the Queensland club early so he can return to Sydney as soon as possible.

The Redcliffe halfback, who is still just 21, is signed with the club through 2028 and will earn $1.95 million for the three seasons beyond the current NRL campaign on his inked deal.

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The Sporting Base has heard Katoa wants to leave to move back to Sydney after this year though.

Katoa lived in Sydney from nine years old to 2023 when he debuted with the Dolphins; he’s since played 49 games there.

While the whispers are Katoa has no issues with the club or Dolphins structures, the youngster has been wanting to get back to New South Wales for some time now — there’s more family in Sydney for both he and partner Pani. He also believes he can find a club in the state capital where he could feasibly play for some years.

There’s a hook to the whole situation: The Dolphins may be open to letting Katoa leave sooner than the end of his signed deal, but only if they can plug a star halfback into the roster immediately.

Enter Sea Eagles wantaway Daly Cherry-Evans, who is leaving Manly this year.

“DCE” has said he won’t be playing for the Sea Eagles beyond 2025 and is on the lookout for a new club. While the Sydney Roosters have been considered the frontrunners for some time — and those rumours have only been helped by Bondi halfback Chad Townsend being dropped this week — he has also since been approached by Redcliffe.

Cherry-Evans originally started his rugby league career in Redcliffe before moving to Sydney to join the Sea Eagles program. Should he want to leave Sydney and return to Brisbane, the Dolphins would welcome him with open arms (and let Katoa leave).

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For the time being though, Katoa will have to wait for any news. DCE may hold the key — or Redcliffe may relent. If they do, St George Illawarra has already begun preparing a signing bid.