Adam Reynolds could finish his career back in Sydney with his Broncos negotiations dragging on and Wests Tigers keen to bring him to the club as a potential replacement for Lachie Galvin.

The Tigers have slapped a $165,000 transfer fee on Galvin for any club that wants to sign him before the June 30 deadline after the relationship between the young five-eighth and the front office has soured over his surprise decision to tell them he wants out.

Brisbane are struggling to find cap space to offer Reynolds a one-year extension with their captain keen to play on in 2026 after displaying strong form at halfback in the first few months of this season.

The veteran playmker, who was squeezed out of South Sydney in similar circumstances at the end of 2021, told Triple M on Thursday that “there’s been interest” from Wests although no formal offer at this stage.

“I’m trying to secure my future here at the Broncos. For me it’s about letting the manager do all that sort of stuff in the background,” he said.

“Brisbane is home no matter what, for our family we’ve settled up here. The kids are happy, the wife is happy and when they’re right you have to do what is right.

“But we’ve got to be realistic, it’s about trying to work through certain scenarios, and keep a lot of players at the club, which isn’t easy. I certainly don’t want to force anyone out.

“You can’t make your mind up on the spot, you have to go through all the different scenarios, make sure that you’re happy with your decision. It’s a big commitment, wherever things end up.’’

Reynolds would bring plenty of experience and game management to the Tigers even if he only turned out for the club for a season or two in the twilight of his career.

His signing would allow Jarome Luai to return to his preferred position of five-eighth and give young playmaker Latu Fainu a mentor to help him reach his potential at NRL level.

Galvin may have played his last game for the Tigers with the team having the bye and Fainu due back from injury next week.

Parramatta and Canterbury, who are yet to re-sign halfback Toby Sexton, are the frontrunners for his signature and the Eels have indicated they are ready to put a multimillion-dollar offer in front of their former local junior as a replacement for Newcastle-bound Kiwi international Dylan Brown.

Lachlan Galvin of the Wests Tigers (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Mo wants ref to use long leash in Origin

Moeaki Fotuaika has urged officials to “let a few slide” when addressing how the NRL’s high-shot crackdown might impact the State of Origin opener.

The Gold Coast prop has been named to start alongside clubmate Tino Faasuamaleaui in Wednesday’s first game in Brisbane.

And, on the back of a series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium last year, the pair have made a pact to “lay the foundation” with physical defence.

Complicating that is the fact there has never been a greater NRL focus on high contact.

There were a record 18 sin-bins recorded in one round earlier this year with the Titans, at the time, the most penalised team for high-contact indiscretions.

Ahead of his 10th appearance for Queensland, Fotuaika said there was a need to manage aggression but also a hope the Origin arena would be adjudicated differently to club level.

“Controlling that aggression … sometimes you can go a bit over the top,” he said on Thursday from camp on the Sunshine Coast.

“Hoping, because it’s an Origin game, they can sort of let a few slide.

Moeaki Fotuaika. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“If it’s a penalty game, obviously the spectators aren’t going to enjoy that part.

“I’m sure the refs will work around that.”

Faasuamaleaui missed last year’s series with a long-term knee injury and, boasting three series wins from his four campaigns, looms as a difference maker in 2025.

“He’s definitely influential,” Fotuaika said.

“His presence; he’s a big lad, when you have him beside you in that defensive line you have more confidence.

“It makes us a lot better.

“When Tino got the call on Sunday, after the Canberra game, he looked over at me and gave me the nod that I was getting the call after him.

“When Billy told me I would be starting alongside the big fella I was excited.

“Me and Tino have spoken about it. We want to lay the foundation for this team. We all know what we have to do.”

Tough-as-nails North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter is in the same boat, taking last year’s State of Origin series loss personally after the pack was outgunned in the second and third games.

Cotter has been named in the backrow but will likely spend time in the middle as he has in previous campaigns.

Tom Gilbert’s pectoral injury will rule him out for a second-straight year, coach Billy Slater instead calling on rookies Trent Loiero and Beau Fermor to match it with the Blues.

“I dare say I’ll find myself in the middle at some stage,” Cotter told AAP.

“We’re up for the fight for sure, with some troops back.

“Tino’s a huge addition. Big Lindsay’s (Collins) going good … all our forwards are playing some good footy and it’s good to have some size.

“Definitely we take it personally; we keep the focus on us, dial in, but nobody wants to lose at home.”

Fullback Kalyn Ponga (leg) is yet to train fully with the squad but Fotuaika has no doubt he’ll play next week.

with AAP