LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a surprising twist, the Canberra Raiders have thrown their hat into the ring to secure the talented Luciano Leilua from the North Queensland Cowboys.
Leilua, a powerful forward, has found himself out of favor in Townsville, with a number of players vying for minutes in the back-row.
This dissatisfaction has led Leilua to request an exit from the club, seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
The Raiders had previously shown interest in Leilua last year, but their attempts were thwarted by coach Todd Payten.
However, this time around, Leilua has been granted permission to pursue negotiations with other teams.
The St George Illawarra Dragons are said to be one of the clubs that Leilua has already met with, under the watchful eye of incoming coach Shane Flanagan, who is eager to turn the Dragons' fortunes around swiftly.
Flanagan has also been in talks with other Cowboys forwards, including Luki and Finefuiaki, both of whom are available for negotiations in 2025.
As the race for Leilua's signature intensifies, the outcome remains uncertain, but it is clear that interest in the talented forward is growing, with the Raiders now joining the pursuit.