There's been no contact between club and manager yet, but that hasn't stopped the rumours of a possible return to Manly for livewire hooker Api Koroisau.
The Penrith premiership winner is off contract at the end of 2022 and is free to talk to rivals clubs about a move in 2023 - or sooner. The Panthers have salary cap pressure and would likely grant the 28-year-old an early release if he can secure a deal elsewhere.
Manly reluctantly let Koroisau go two years ago due to their own salary cap restraints, with the Sea Eagles backing Manase Fainu to emerge as one of the NRL's leading No. 9s.
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But Fainu has not played for two years after being stood down over an alleged knifing at a church dance in late 2019. The rookie forward is not due back to court until July, meaning the best part of next season is a write-off even if he is acquitted.
Koroisau's move to Penrith proved a winner, landing him a State of Origin jumper and a grand final win. "I haven't heard from Manly, but if nothing is done with Penrith then all options are on the table," Koroisau's manager Gian Lombardo told Inside Back. "He left there [Manly] on great terms and I'm sure the welcome mat would be put back out from a relationship perspective.
"But the salary cap dictates the whole rugby league world these days and it depends where Manly sit with that."
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