Keaon Koloamatangi is preparing to test his worth on the open market once this Saturday rolls around, with the fresh Kangaroos debut surprised that South Sydney has yet to offer him any meaningful extension to stay.
The 27-year-old second rower turned prop has a year to run on his Redfern deal, and had expected the Rabbitohs to offer him an upgraded contract to keep him for the foreseeable future. Instead, with just over 48 hours until the November 1 free agency, the international star has barely heard a sniff from his club regarding any tabled deals.
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It may well be that Keaon’s agents have been speaking to the club without him knowing — that happens quite regularly, let alone when players are touring overseas — but most chat coming from the Souths side has been little has been offered. The Sporting Base has yet to hear about anything solid being offered to parties representing Koloamatangi.
That game state means that the wrecking ball forward, who enjoyed a next level to his play through 2025 to earn himself a berth with the Australian side, will be able to field offers for 2027 and beyond from this weekend.
“I’m off contract November 1,” Keaon said. “I’ve been communicating with my manager back in Sydney. “I’m not too sure if they [his management and the Rabbitohs] are talking at the moment to try and get something sorted.
“At this stage, I think I am [going to the market]. But hopefully Souths do come to the table.”
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There’ll be no limit to the teams interested in talking to Koloamatangi from Saturday beyond the fact that only 17 (and soon 18, with Perth joining in 2027) exist in the competition. Leading parties preparing bids for November 1 are the Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Illawarra Dragons. Expansion side the Bears are also eager to speak to the prop.
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Perhaps the biggest sticking point for Souths has been how much money Koloamatangi is after — he believes he could fetch as much as $1 million a season if he moves during free agency, and wants to explore that avenue.
“I’m a front rower, I’ve seen the money they’ve been getting,” he said. “Hopefully, my manager can sort something.”
Koloamatangi’s agent, Tyran Smith, also represents off-contract Payne Haas, who’ll command even more.
