LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Newcastle Knights hooker Jayden Brailey is set to leave the club at the end of the season, with the Canberra Raiders emerging as potential frontrunners for his services.
Brailey, who is currently on contract with the Knights until the end of the season, has been given permission to negotiate with other clubs since November 1.
The hooker has reportedly been informed by Newcastle that he will not be retained, as the team looks to address their salary cap situation and has made roster changes that have pushed Brailey down the pecking order.
The signing of Matt Arthur and the promotion of Phoenix Crossland have further reduced Brailey's chances of staying with the Knights.
Crossland, a versatile player who can play in multiple positions, started ahead of Brailey in Round 1 of the season.
While Brailey has been linked to other clubs, including the Parramatta Eels, it now appears that the Canberra Raiders are in negotiations to secure his services.
The news of Brailey's potential move to the Raiders comes as a surprise, with the Eels initially being the most prominently linked destination for the hooker.
However, the Raiders have now emerged as contenders for Brailey, as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming seasons.
Overall, Brailey's departure from the Knights and potential move to the Raiders marks a significant change in his career trajectory.
As negotiations continue between Brailey and the Raiders, fans will be eagerly awaiting the final decision on where the talented hooker will continue his NRL journey.