🚨🟣🔵 Aston Villa back in active talks for Douglas Luiz after initial approach revealed last week.

Negotiations ongoing with Juventus while Chelsea are also exploring different options in midfield.

#AVFC working on Douglas Luiz return as priority with 2 more options on list.

Parramatta young gun Isaiah Iongi has signed a long-term deal to remain with the Eels as the club looks to rebuild around a promising core.

Already signed through to 2027, the fullback has been locked in for a further three years on a deal that takes him through to the end of 2030.

Iongi was one of the bright spots in a rebuilding year for the Eels and quickly made the fullback jumper his own.

Now, the Eels are hoping the 22-year-old helps Parramatta challenge for a title in the coming years.

“With his positive mindset, strong work ethic and desire to improve, we see him as a long-term leader at the Eels,” Eels GM of Football Mark O’Neill said.

“Jason, the coaches and the rest of the club are incredibly excited to see him continue to evolve over the coming years.”

Former Cowboy Karl Lawton has signed a three-year deal with Super League champions Hull KR.

The 30-year-old was released by North Queensland after one season with the club following previous stints at the Titans, Warriors and Sea Eagles.

“I’m pumped, I can’t wait to start,” Lawton told the Hull KR website. “Hull KR are a successful club with a great reputation. Everyone that’s spoke about the club that’s been there in the past has loved it.”

The Bears have also continued their roster build, with Liam Henry and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui signing on for their club’s inaugural season in 2027.

Henry has penned a long-term deal, with the Panther signing a four-year contract that takes him through to 2030.

“This is another proud day for the Perth Bears,” coach Mal Meninga said.

“Liam is one of the most exciting middle forward prospects in the NRL and I am ecstatic to have him as part of our inaugural roster.

“Iszac is a versatile and athletic forward who will look to continue his development with Catalans next season before coming to Perth for 2027.

“Both players have their best footy in front of them and I have no doubt will make an immediate impact with the Bears.”

The Roosters have granted emerging

forward Xavier Va’a an immediate release, with the youngster reportedly linked to a move to the Super League.

The Bulldogs have held off rival clubs to lock down star forward Viliame Kikau through to the end of the 2028 season.

The Fijian powerhouse was initially contracted for the 2026 campaign and was in high demand before signing a two-year extension to remain at Canterbury.

Kikau has played a key role in the club’s rise to a premiership contender and is desperate to help the Bulldogs win their first title since 2004.

“I’m very happy to be staying at the Bulldogs,” he said.

“This club has embraced my family and I since day one so it was an easy decision to re-sign.

“I love being part of what we’re building here. We’ve made great progress over the past couple of years, but we want to achieve more – I want to help this club win its next premiership.”

The Roosters have announced the signing of Sea Eagles flyer Reuben Garrick on a three-year deal commencing in 2027.

Garrick has played 157 games and scored 1340 points for Manly since making his NRL debut in 2019.

The 28-year-old will see out the final season of his contract with the Sea Eagles before joining the Roosters for the 2027 campaign.

Former Knight Jack Hetherington is set to fill the void left by the injured Eli Katoa after signing a one-year deal with the Storm.

Katoa is set to sit out the 2026 season after suffering an injury during the Pacific Championships, with Hetherington providing physicality and experience up front.

The contract is one of three the Storm have announced, with Trent Toelau and Manaia Waitere also signing with Melbourne.

Toelau has signed a one-year deal, while Waitere moves to Melbourne from the Raiders on a two-year contract.

Toelau started his career in the Storm pathway before moving to Penrith and making his NRL debut in 2024. An emerging playmaker, the 26-year-old is set to learn from Jahrome Hughes and Cam Munster.

“Jack, Trent and Manaia each bring their own strengths to our group, and we’re excited for what they can offer both in the short-term and into next season,” Storm football boss Frank Ponissi said.

“Jack provides proven NRL experience, while Trent and Manaia are young players with impressive talent. We believe all three will thrive in our environment, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to our Storm family.”

The Storm have also announced the signing of backrower Oryn Keeley on a two-year deal from the start of the 2027 season.

A Central Coast junior, Keeley developed through the Newcastle Knights pathway, making his NRL debut for the Knights in 2022. Keeley joined the Dolphins in 2024, where he continued his development and enjoyed a strong 2025 season.

“We believe Oryn will thrive in our system and become an important member of our forward pack in the years ahead,” Storm Director of Football Frank Ponissi said.

Boom halfback Coby Black has been granted an immediate release from the Broncos to join Canberra Raiders on a three-year deal.

Black, who earlier this year captained Queensland Under 19s, has been a part of the Broncos system from a young age and has been developing as a halfback under the guidance of Adam Reynolds.

He played 16 games for the Souths Logan Magpies in the 2025 Queensland Cup season where he scored six tries and produced eight try assists, nine line-break assists and 11 offloads.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire said Black will be very much missed at Red Hill.

“We would have loved to have Coby here at the Broncos for 2026, but we acknowledge the opportunity that’s been presented to him,” Maguire said.

“He’s a fantastic young man who’s been an absolute pleasure to coach and I truly hope our paths cross in the future.”

Raiders recruitment manager, Chris Hutchison, said the club is excited to welcome Black to the Raiders.

“Coby is a great young player and we’re very excited to welcome him to Canberra this season and continue his development at the Raiders,” he said.

“He has shown strong ability already, progressing through the ranks to debut in Queensland Cup at the age of 18.”

North Queensland have signed veteran front-rower Matthew Lodge for the 2026 season.

The 30-year-old has appeared in 133 NRL games over the course of a 10-year career with Wests Tigers, Brisbane, the Warriors, Roosters and Sea Eagles.

Lodge adds significant depth and experience to a Cowboys forward pack, which will be without injured internationals Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame to start the 2026 season.

Alabama players haven’t forgotten their last game against Oklahoma, when Alabama staffers ushered the Sooners off the Alabama on-field logo, creating a contentious scene that included at least one Oklahoma player spitting on Alabama logo.

The Sooners won 23-21 in Tuscaloosa a month ago and then celebrated by taking photos at midfield after ending the Crimson Tide’s 17-game home-winning streak.

“That type of disrespect will be addressed on the field,” Tide linebacker Justin Jefferson said. “We just got to go give it to them, take the ball off them and bring it home for Alabama.”

No. 11 Alabama will get another shot at eighth-ranked Oklahoma when they meet in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.

The rematch is in Norman, Oklahoma, on Friday night. It’s the second straight rematch for the Crimson Tide, which beat Georgia 24-21 in the regular season and then lost to the Bulldogs 28-7 in the SEC championship game.

Alabama (10-3, No. 9 CFP) stopped short of calling this one a revenge game, but a few factors add another level of motivation.

“We’re really excited,” Jefferson said. “I’ve never beaten Oklahoma, so I’m more than ready. I think we have what it takes.”

Few guys on Alabama’s roster have beaten Oklahoma (10-2, No. 8 CFP).

The Sooners smoked Alabama 24-3 in Norman in 2024 and prevented the Tide from making the CFP. This season’s loss left Alabama squarely on the playoff bubble — and likely prevented the tradition-rich program from hosting a first-round game.

Now the teams meet for the third time in a little over a year, with much higher stakes. The winner advances to the quarterfinals to take on top-ranked and top-seeded Indiana in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

“We know what to expect as far as playing them,” Alabama star receiver Ryan Williams said. “We have a great idea of what’s to come. We just have to execute at a high level.”

Getting a grip on turnovers would be a start.

The Tide turned the ball over three times against Oklahoma, including an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown. On the other side, the Sooners were the only team to not commit a turnover against the Tide in the regular season.

Turnovers also hurt Alabama in the SEC championship, with an interception leading to a Georgia touchdown in the first half.

“We just need to execute the simple,” Williams said. “Make simple plays simple and continue to try to be the best ball security and ball dominant team in the country.”

If Alabama takes better care of the ball, it surely improves its chances of an upset — and getting payback. Oklahoma is a 1 1/2-point favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

“Coming up short at the end of the game was disappointing because that’s something we’ve done a pretty good job of,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “Go back to the Oklahoma game, a number of our guys got dinged up and just grinding through it.

“I’m sure Oklahoma is looking to get some guys back, including probably a continued stronger quarterback with (John) Mateer. I know that that’s the thing that draws a lot of attention on their end. But we’re looking forward to this rematch.”

If Alabama wins, no one should be surprised to see players heading to midfield.

“It’s just a blessing to get another opportunity,” Jefferson said. “To play again, compete for a national championship, another learning moment this season.”

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