The Eels have reportedly given Bailey Simonsson permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
The 27-year-old had been agitating for a release over the past month after being dropped back to New South Wales Cup in Round 21.
Tensions reached a boiling point before last week’s clash against the Cowboys, where Simonsson was reportedly enraged by his snub from the team after the opportunity for a recall presented itself due to an injury forced regular starter Sean Russell to withdraw from the game.
Instead, Jason Ryles elected to play Newcastle-bound five-eighth Dylan Brown ahead of Simonsson which prompted yet another request to be released from his contract early.
Despite being signed until 2027, The Sydney Morning Herald is now reporting that the versatile outside back has finally been granted his wish to seek an NRL opportunity elsewhere.
Which clubs should be in the race to sign Simonsson?
Wests Tigers
The Tigers are a likely candidate to be in the Simonsson sweepstakes, given the recent news that Charlie Staines is set to leave the club.
The Eels winger is a like-for-like replacement for Staines and could become a reliable option for Benji Marshall to turn to while he is still shaping his roster.
Penrith Panthers
The Panthers would be an ideal landing spot for Simonsson.
Firstly, they have chopped-and-changed their back-five all season, calling on some combination of Brian To’o, Casey McLean, Izack Tago, Thomas Jenkins, Luke Garner and Paul Alamoti.
Whilst three of those positions seem fairly solidified, adding a player of Simonsson’s quality would create great competition amongst the squad.
There is also the benefit of low moving costs, having to travel just half-an-hour down the M4.
Melbourne Storm
The Storm have become notorious for turning fringe first-graders into representative level players.
Whilst he has been forced to ply his trade in New South Wales Cup in recent times, Simonsson is undeniably a player of quality waiting to be moulded at the right club.
Perhaps Bellamy will perceive the decision from his former disciple Ryles to show Simonsson the door as a mark against him.
However, if given the chance in Melbourne to fill the shoes of departing winger Grant Anderson on the opposite flank to Xavier Coates, it is easy to imagine a world where Simonsson reaches his full potential.
