Unwanted Dragon Sims tops Parramatta hit-list as club looks to restock pack

The Eels have earmarked off-contract Dragons star Tariq Sims as a top target to restock their flagging forward pack, after several big-name departures have left Parramatta dangerously short at the front.

Marata Niukore, Ray Stone, and Isaiah Papali’i are all confirmed to be leaving the Eels in 2023, with Junior Paulo also expected to head out the door, and Parramatta have been left scrabbling for replacements.

To remedy their low forward stock, the Eels have earmarked Sims as a priority signing.

Dragons star and Blues representative Tariq Sims has been told there is no place for him in the Red V following the 2022 season, which has set more than half of the clubs in the NRL in motion to secure his signature. The 31-year-old has enjoyed a red-hot run of form in the past few years, and should boost any forward pack he joins.

The second-rower has already been linked to the Tigers, Roosters, Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Rabbitohs, and Panthers, as well as a host of English Super League clubs, but the Eels have emerged as major frontrunners after declaring “genuine interest” for the New South Welshman. Their late-hour play is expected to scupper the Roosters’ big offer for the star.

The only problem for Parramatta will be what Sims wants for his next deal. The Dragons have already passed on his big-money requests, and the Eels may be forced to do the same.

Parramatta does have far more wiggle room than St George Illawarra, however, due to their oodles of upcoming exits. Even just Paulo’s expected move away from the blue-and-golds should give them enough cash in hand to sign up a new veteran forward.

Sims will earn around $600,000 in his final year with the Dragons.

If he commands a similar price tag, the Eels will actually save around $10,000 on their books by replacing Paulo with Sims, though they’re not exactly like-for-like considering Paulo plays in the front row. Instead, Sims would be expected to pick up Papali’i’s role in Brad Arthur’s squad, sometimes playing off the bench in a rotation.

The Eels offer is far from official yet though, with NRL rivals are still expressing interest in joining the signing battle. The Sporting Base understands, however, that Parramatta is expected to fire off a proper offer to Sims’ admins in the next week or so to really get the ball rolling.

St George is shedding Sims after a huge forwards recruitment drive over the past months. Coach Anthony Griffin has recently signed up George Burgess, Francis Molo, Jaydn Su’A, and Aaron Woods.

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