Pre-season has begun for plenty of Super League sides but there’s still some business to be done and that could include Manly Warringah Sea Eagles hooker Karl Lawton, the hooker reportedly in talks with Super League sides.
That’s per the Daily Telegraph who are reporting that the hooker seems to be surplus to requirements with the Sea Eagles despite having a year remaining on his contract.
It’s understood by the Telegraph that the 28-year-old has been approached about a possible move overseas to Super League with the club happy to allow him to seek an opportunity elsewhere.
Manly have plenty of depth at hooker with Lachlan Croker as the incumbent in the position with over 100 games experience for the club at just 26 years of age.
The club also have young prospect Gordon Chan Kum Tong who made an appearance for Samoa earlier this year, meaning that Lawton will likely have to look elsewhere for playing time.
The 28-year-old has been with the Sea Eagles since the 2021 season habving previously represented New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans, but he’s yet to ever nail down a spot failing to surpass 80 NRL appearances in his eight years in the league.
Per the Telegraph Lawton’s departure would allow for Manly to manipulate their top 30 and bring in experienced forward Nathan Brown who is presently just with the team on a train-and-trial deal.
As such it would seem that both parties want the exit with Manly wanting to free up a squad spot, whilst Lawton would want playing time.
The Telegraph report that he has bene in talks with Super League clubs and is considering the switch to England, going as far to label it as a “likely departure”.
It begs the question of which Super League club would pick up the Australian given that he will take up a quota spot, with many teams having already maxed out their number of spots.
Typically a hooker Lawton can also play in the second-row with his impressive frame, however he has also made starts in the halves and at centre on a number of occasions.
It would seem that within Super League the only sides with quota spots available would be last season’s Grand Finalists Catalans Dragons however they have the experienced Micky McIlorum in their starting role.
Saints also have a spot available but have made it clear that they intend to bring in a centre, leaving the number three available, whilst they also boast new signing Daryl Clark and ex-NRL man Moses Mbye as back-up.
London Broncos only have a handful of quota spots full so far meaning they could be a possible landing spot for the Australian.
