Raiders think they can beat cash-strapped Bunnies to Koloamatangi signing

The Canberra Raiders are readying a huge signing package to try and lure breakout South Sydney Rabbitohs second-rower and newly-minted New South Wales star Keaon Koloamatangi south from the 2024 NRL season onwards.

The Raiders, and especially Ricky Stuart, have had Koloamatangi earmarked for some time now, The Sporting Base has heard. While the club cannot formally talk to the 25-year-old until November 1, they’re already readying a signing offensive they believe will get any deal over the line and are banking on it being a richer deal than Souths’.

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Koloamatangi is free to negotiate with any club from November 1—or can re-sign with Souths earlier than that—and while the Raiders are leading the line, several other clubs are keeping tabs on the situation too.

Also among the Blues second rower’s admirers are the Dragons and Tigers.

One big reason the Raiders think they can bring the star south is the Bunnies’ shrinking war chest. Several big re-signings throughout the year, not least Cody Walker, Lachlan Ilias, and coach Jason Demetriou, have all shrunk the club’s spending power.

Stuart believes Koloamatangi could work very well alongside the rest of the Raiders pack, especially Hudson Young, Elliot Whitehead and Corey Horsburgh.

He may even take Josh Papalii’s list spot, should the veteran retire.

Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs have been deep in talks with the 25-year-old since early in the year; conversations began around the same time as the Cameron Murray re-signing campaign, The Sporting Base understands. While Murray has since been locked up with a huge new extension, the Koloamatangi saga is still ongoing.

“Keaon went into Origin when we were negotiating, we’re at the back end of the year now… talks have been on hold until end of season,” Demetriou told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We have a great relationship with Keaon, and we have every intention of making sure he stays at the club long term, especially off the back of Cam re-signing. Those two guys have played footy together since they were seven.

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“The best is ahead of Keaon, I have no doubt about that, he’s chasing that consistency, and at his best, he’s one of the best back-rowers, if not the best in the game.”