"Very confident": Johns' mail on PNG's next star signing

As the PNG Chiefs continue to build out their roster, Matty Johns believes the NRL’s newest club has its eyes set on making another massive signing.   

Despite entering the competition in 2028, the NRL’s 19th side has wasted no time in building its inaugural roster.

The franchise has already signed six players, which include Origin representatives in Jarome Luai, Zac Lomax, Connor Watson and, most recently, Brian To’o.

  But the club led by GM of Football Michael Chammas and CEO Lorna McPherson won’t be stopping their signing spree anytime soon.

Currently, the Chiefs have been linked to former Roosters star Joey Manu alongside Raiders’ second rower Hudson Young.

However, the Chiefs reportedly have their eyes on another major signing in the halfback position.

Out of the names that would hit the open market on November 1, Nathan Cleary and Sam Walker remain as the most notable in the No.7 position, with Johns saying on SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns that the club was confident of landing one of them.  

Johns: “I think with Sam it's either gonna be the Roosters or it's gonna be PNG.”

"The money (at PNG) is crazy.”

 Denan Kemp: “He could go there for three years (and he would be) 28 (and) come back.

Johns: “Apparently, they're very confident. My mail is they're confident that they'll get either Cleary or Walker. That's what they're talking.”

At this stage, the Chiefs have six players signed to their side ahead of their first season in the NRL.