The Storm kicked off round 16 with a whopping 46-0 win over rivals the Roosters, and as we head into the weekend there's been plenty of news from around the clubs.
Justin Holbrook has opened up on the future plans for a couple of his star players, delving into where Ash Taylor lies with the club with a contract for next season still unsigned.
Adam O'Brien has opened up on his hopes for the Knights with Kalyn Ponga cleared to return this week for a long absence.
While interim Sharks coach Josh Hannay has shed light on his future ahead of new head coach Craig Fitzgibbon's arrival in 2022.
Here's a wrap up of the news you might have missed from Friday's club press conferences.
ASH TAYLOR'S NRL FUTURE IN HIS OWN HANDS
Off-contract Titans playmaker Ash Taylor is a long odds to remain at the club next year - but his future in the NRL is in his own hands.
The 26-year-old isn't expected to be re-signed after the Titans recently locked in Toby Sexton and Jamal Fogarty, as well as recruiting Paul Turner from the Warriors.
It has left Taylor without a club, despite the fact that he has again been picked for this weekend's clash with the Canberra Raiders.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Justin Holbrook said that Taylor is still the best man for the job and his future - whether at be at the Titans or elswhere - was up to him.
“I don’t know the latest. We obviously haven’t re-signed Ash and it’s up to him," he said.
"He’s still getting picked and he’s still playing, so it’s up to him to play well and all that can take care of itself. There is no decision on that either way.
“He’s still in the side now and we still think that’s our best option for him to be in that No.6.
"The way he played the back-end of last year, if he can find that form again, we’ll be happy about it."
Taylor hasn't been linked with any other clubs, and will need to take a massive pay-cut in order to stay in the NRL.
- Liam O'Loughlin
SHAUN JOHNSON BACKS YOUNG CRONULLA HALVES TO FILL HIS BOOTS
The Cronulla Sharks are set to be without an experienced NRL halfback for the 2022 season unless they strike some late recruitment magic.
Shaun Johnson is on his way to the Warriors, local junior Chad Townsend is off to Townsville and Matt Moylan, who is more of a five-eighth, is still yet to re-sign with the club.
The signing of Nicho Hynes from the Storm is an important one but it's more likely he will play as a ball-running #6.
But departing Shaun Johnson is confident that Cronulla fans will be satisfied with the talented youngsters already at the club.
"They’re in good hands man," Johnson told reporters on Friday.
"When Fitzy told me the news I wasn’t required, I couldn’t fault him. I couldn’t argue with him.
"Tricky and Connor are both really good young fellas that are more than capable of taking them where it needs to go.
"With the addition of Hynes next year, hopefully, they can keep Matty Moylan around a little bit longer. They’re going to be just fine."
"I can’t wait to see them establish their role in the side next year, that’s for sure."
- Lachlan McKirdy
SHARKS COACH'S SOUND ADVICE FOR RONALDO MULITALO
The debacle surrounding Ronaldo Mulitalo's ineligibility on the eve of State of Origin was absolutely heartbreaking for all involved.
But now that he's back in club-land with the Cronulla Sharks, it has to revert to business as usual.
Despite a disrupted season due to injury, Mulitalo is an integral part of the Sharks' side and his enthusiasm is infectious to those around him.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Josh Hannay urged the winger to focus on what he can control and remain professional despite the ongoing eligibility drama.
“It was obviously a difficult situation for Ronaldo with everything that has gone down, and it’s still ongoing," he said.
"Ronaldo had his first session with us since Origin today, and I’ve got to say he trained really well and he was his normal self. We as a staff and the playing group, we need to make sure that he knows we are there for him.
"All we want from Ronaldo is to come back into this environment and be the Ronaldo that he was prior to the Origin experience. He got that opportunity through his performances for us since he has come back from injury, and we need that same kind of output from him.
"We need him to get back to club land now and sort of take a leaf out of the books of Shaun (Johnson) and Aaron Woods, in terms of handling a tough situation through just being really professional."
Johnson and Woods have both been told they won't be re-signed by the Sharks, but have got on with playing footy and have been big factors in Cronulla's recent form.
- Liam O'Loughlin
PONGA CLEARED FOR KNIGHTS RETURN IN BOOST TO KNIGHTS' FINALS HOPES
Adam O'Brien has cleared Kalyn Ponga for a highly-anticipated return as the Knights look to climb into the finals race over the next month.
Ponga has been missed since round nine with an adductor issue that saw him ruled out for both Game I and II of Origin, but after overcoming his final fitness test will line up this Saturday for Newcastle against former side North Queensland.
"He's a certain starter, so I don't anticipate any changes to the team," O'Brien told media on Friday.
"It's great to have him back, the spine is the strongest we've had since round two last year now, so things are looking up.
"Provided we understand the importance of it's not just up to the spine, we need everybody playing well tomorrow night.
"We've got a bye coming up, it's a four-point game for us."
Ponga will add a fresh dimension to the club's new-look spine which now includes Cowboys recruit Jake Clifford alongside Mitchell Pearce, who returned from a pec injury in round 15.
Newcastle have had a poor season to date but sits on the end of a logjam of teams separated by two points – from the Dragons in seventh to the Knights in 12th.
O'Brien said Ponga's return along with that of Pearce has his side geared for a late push for the finals, with a bye next week meaning a win against the Cowboys could see them in the eight by the end of next weekend.
"We've got to keep putting in strong performances that are going to put us in good stead for the back end of the year, but the number one thing is we need to be banking two points each week," he said.
- Ed Chisholm
JUSTIN HOLBROOK OPEN TO FUTURE SWITCHES FOR BRIMSON, CAMPBELL
Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook has left the door open for AJ Brimson or Jayden Campbell to switch positions down the line - but it won't be happening this year.
After the QLD Maroons star was sidelined recently with a knee injury, Campbell made his first grade debut and did a great job in the first three games of his NRL career.
The 21-year-old scored a try, set up another two and made 16 tackle breaks in those three games, and it has left many Titans fans asking where he fits into the side long-term.
Brimson recently signed a five-year contract extension and looks set to play in the No.1 jumper - but a potential switch to the halves to accomodate Campbell isn't completely off the table.
“It’s a consideration for down the track, but not right now," Holbrook said.
"I think Jayden Campbell did an outstanding job for us three games straight. It would have been great for a young player to get a couple of wins up, but unfortunately it wasn’t the case.
"He’s done a great job and he’s a big player for the future of our club, but for now the best thing for our team is to get AJ back to 1.
"What happens in the future we are definitely open to that idea, that’s for sure."
- Liam O'Loughlin
JOSH HANNAY CLOSE TO SECURING NEW SHARKS DEAL
He's become an interim coach twice in the space of 12 months, but Josh Hannay is set to revert to an assistant's role in 2022.
With the Sharks set to welcome Craig Fitzgibbon as head coach for next year, Hannay will relinquish the head coaching role and looks set to re-sign with the club.
It would be a huge boost for Cronulla, with the current boss gaining the respect of his players in recent months and turning the ship around after a shaky start to 2021.
Hannay revealed he has been in contact with Fitzgibbon recently, and a deal is close to being finalised.
“We probably talk every couple of weeks and when I say talk, it’s invariably just about football. I’ve said this numerous time, it’s just about the game and our thoughts on the game and various trends in the game," he said.
"For me personally, I’m hoping to have my situation sorted pretty soon. The club has made me an offer to stay on, I want to stay at the club. I just haven’t got around to finalising it at this stage.
"In my discussions with Craig though, he knows I want to stay and he wants me here. That will get sorted in the near future."
- Liam O'Loughlin
