AS the May 1 deadline passes, Super League clubs are on the lookout for new blood as well as an intention to retain some of their best players.
Whilst those out of contract players can now negotiate with other players – especially free agents.
One player who has previously spoken to League Express of his desire to move to Super League is 31-year-old Tim Simona.
Seven seasons after last playing a professional rugby league game, Simona has told this publication that he is “hopeful” of a move to the northern hemisphere in the upcoming weeks and months with a potential deal firmly in the hand of his manager.
Simona, who is naturally a centre, made his debut for Wests Tigers in 2011 and went on to register 79 appearances before being involved in a highly controversial event.
In 2017, Simona was officially de-registered by the NRL on 10 March, after the NRL integrity unit found that he had breached the rules of the league by betting on NRL games.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg stated at the time: “It is very hard to imagine that Tim Simona will be registered with the NRL at any time in the future.”
The former Samoan international was later given an 18 month good behaviour bond by Campbelltown local court for his role in selling signed jerseys for auction but taking the proceeds for himself which he then used for gambling and drugs.
Super League fans may well recognise his name, with Simona having been linked with both Hull KR and Toronto Wolfpack in 2019, but he failed eligibility tests.
Simona currently plays for the Blacktown Workers in the New South Wales Cup competition.
