NRL news 2024 | Valentine Holmes next club, Cowboys, Dragons ...

At least three clubs have joined the Dragons in the pursuit of Cowboys star Valentine Holmes - but it has all come to nought.

Just in the last few hours, Holmes has agreed to a long term deal with the Dragons, re-uniting him with former coach Shane Flanagan.

The Dragons got the jump on the field last week, with coach Flanagan making the long trek to Townsville to sit down with his former premiership-winning player at Cronulla.

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Rival clubs were circling and the Dragons upped their offer, resulting in Holmes agreeing to terms.

Val Holmes could be set to stay at the Cowboys.  Nine

At one stage, Holmes was even having second thoughts about moving because his wife runs several highly successful businesses in Townsville.

But in the end, Flanagan's persistence won out and he got his man in a massive boost for the Big Red V in 2025.

One club who would have been keen to sign Holmes is the Roosters, who are losing star centres Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu to rugby union.

But the club would have trouble fitting Holmes and his $850,000 price tag into their salary cap.

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The Roosters, however, are looking from within to find a replacement for big-name stars Suaalii and Manu.

And I'm being told they will give teenage sensation Robert Toia a chance to show his talents before the end of this season.

Toia, 19, is a freakish youngster but has had a horror run with injuries over the past couple of years.

He has torn the ACL in both knees and had a broken jaw all in the last two years.A speedy outside back, Toia returned to the field recently and has been starring in the NSW Cup.

Watch for him to get a call-up to the NRL sometime in the next month - he's very special and the Roosters want to see how he goes in top company.

Former Test and State of Origin star Trent Merrin has managed to avoid a conviction for breaching an apprehended violence order after being caught driving by his ex-wife's house.

Trent Merrin Getty

The former Dragons and Panthers star was sentenced in Port Kembla Local Court last week after previously pleading guilty to contravening an AVO from his former partner Jessica Watson.

But Merrin, who retired at the end of the 2021 season after over 250 top grade games and is now aged 34, was sentenced to a two-year conditional release order without recording a conviction.

The order requires that Merrin not commit any further offences in the two year period - or he will be before the courts again.

Talented centre/winger Bailey Simonsson was thinking of leaving the Eels next season after a frustrating last 12 months.

Bailey Simonsson attempts to score a try. Getty

Simonsson missed half of last year after ACL surgery and then had a slow start to his return to first grade - as often happens after such a major injury.

But a chat with incoming Eels coach Jason Ryles has changed Simonsson's plans.

Ryles told the 26-year-old former New Zealand rugby 7s player that he was a part of his plans for the future and as a result, Simonsson is now extending his time at the Eels.