LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Cronulla Sharks are reportedly not in discussions with winger Sione Katoa regarding a new contract, meaning he is expected to enter free agency on November 1.
Katoa's current deal expires at the end of 2026, alongside fellow winger Sam Stonestreet, but only one of them is anticipated to stay in the Shire after that period.
Both players possess first-grade caliber, however, it is evident that Ronaldo Mulitalo, who is set to miss most of 2025 due to an ACL injury, will be the primary winger moving forward under the guidance of Craig Fitzgibbon and his coaching staff.
While Katoa has the edge in experience, Stonestreet is seen as a player with significant potential in the sport.
This year, Stonestreet signed a one-year extension, leaving both him and Katoa's contracts expiring simultaneously. With Mulitalo sidelined, this might have created a competitive situation between the two for future positions; however, the Sharks may not have enough time to evaluate their decision thoroughly.
News Corp reports that Katoa is set to explore free agency on Saturday, looking to assess his market value across the league.
Speculation suggests that the winger who does not secure a long-term position with the Sharks might end up joining the Perth Bears, who are gearing up to enter the free agency market. The Bears need to sign 30 players and reportedly have over $12 million available to allocate.