Cowboys secretly meet with gun playmaker; Star Penrith duo respond to PNG rumour — Whispers

The Cowboys are reportedly circling Warriors gun Chanel Harris-Tavita, with the club interested in pairing the talented playmaker with superstar Tom Dearden.

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According to Code Sports, Cowboys coach Todd Payten has met with Harris-Tavita in recent weeks, with the 27-year-old without a contract for next season and beyond.

Harris-Tavita has been impressive for the surprise packet Warriors this season but due to the emergence of Tanah Boyd and with Luke Metcalf locked down long-term, there doesn’t appear to be room in the halves for Harris-Tavitia.

The Cowboys have offered current five-eighth Jake Clifford a multi-year deal but the playmaker has baulked on putting pen to paper.

That has led to Cowboys brass searching for other options either in a serious bid to find another playmaker or to put pressure on Clifford signing an extension with North Queensland.

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Given Jaxon Purdue is expected to slot into fullback next season to cover the departure of Scott Drinkwater, it’s clear the Cowboys are happy to roll forward with Clifford and Dearden as their halves.

However, Clifford’s reluctance is giving cause for the Cowboys to see what else is out there.

Like Harris-Tavita, Clifford remains off contract beyond the 2026 season.

Payten has a history with Harris-Tavita from the coach’s time at the Warriors in 2019-2020.

PENRITH STARS OPEN UP ON FUTURES

Penrith Panthers stars Brian To’o and Isaah Yeo have opened up on their long-term NRL futures as they prepare to head to the open market on November 1, which will see them able to speak and negotiate with rival teams for the 2028 season.

Neither confirming nor denying that he would be interested in a move to the PNG Chiefs, the winger did not give too much away on his future.

This comes as he has been quietly linked to the expansion side following the signing of close friend and former teammate Jarome Luai.

“I’ll just leave it to my managers. That’s my manager's job to do all that,” To’o said on Wednesday.

“That won’t come until the end of the year. I’ve just got to play consistent footy week in, week out and see what happens.

“All I’m wanting to do every day is just to wake up, come into training with the brothers and put on a good performance for all the fans out there that ware watching us week in, week out.

“That’s probably my main mission and then when that time comes, obviously sit down with my manager and go through that.

“I’m just here for the journey and then just wherever it takes me, I’ll see what happens.”

Meanwhile, teammate and captain Isaah Yeo revealed that he is “open-minded” to heading to the open market, which would allow him to speak and negotiate with rival teams from November 1 for the 2028 season, including the Chiefs.

“I think we probably all will (test the open market). I’m not sure what the club’s doing in that regard but I feel like I’ll certainly be open-minded in that regard,” Yeo said.

“I’ve got a young family. I’ve got three kids and obviously I’d love to stay a one-club player but I understand there’s also a business side to is as well.

“I’m not quite sure. I’ll be open-minded in that regard and make a decision hopefully after that (and) after obviously playing good football. I think that sort of takes care of itself.

“If you’re out there playing good football and performing for your club then things like that take care of themselves but it’s still a long way away.”

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