Canberra’s Bailey Simonsson is reportedly heading to the Parramatta Eels on a three-year deal ahead of next season.
Simonsson, 23, will join the Eels as Blake Ferguson’s potential replacement on the wing as Brad Arthur’s side looks to replace his strike-power.
With Simonsson departing, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio says the Raiders will now move to secure Canterbury’s Nic Cotric who will also fill a gap on the outside.
Riccio expects the deal to be done shortly.
“I can tell you that it’ll impact three clubs,” Riccio explained on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I expect them to formalise it today or tomorrow that will be Bailey Simonsson from the Raiders moving to the Parramatta Eels.
“That will allow Nic Cotric from the Canterbury Bulldogs to finish his time up there after just twelve months.
“He will be gone, he’s played his last game for the Bulldogs, he’s heading back to Canberra.”
Riccio says Cotric’s departure from Canterbury could see them re-enter the player market after freeing up the remainder of his $650,000 per year deal across the next two seasons.
“That, in effect, will bring about much needed salary cap relief for the Bulldogs,” Riccio explained.
“Suddenly, we could see the Bulldogs back in action on the player market due to the release of Nic Cotric.
“There was some interest from the Tigers about Cotric, but he believes heading back to Canberra where he made his debut is where he can play his best football again.”
Cotric re-joins the Raiders after one year with the Bulldogs where he scored just three tries from 14 games.
He’ll play his 94th game for Canberra when he first suits up for the Green Machine in 2022.