Sandon Smith could be on the move up north at the end of the season, with the Roosters five-eighth reportedly in talks with the North Queensland Cowboys.

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That is according to News Corp, who reported that the Roosters’ expected $1 million play for Daly Cherry Evans will see the Anzac Day medallist squeezed out of the club.

Fox League’s James Hooper reported on NRL 360 earlier in the month that Smith’s manager had already started to contact rival clubs despite the 22-year-old being contracted with the Roosters until the end of the 2026 season.

“I’ve heard that other clubs have certainly been made aware (Smith is being shopped around) because they raised it today,” Hooper said at the time.

“It all just adds into the fact that, all roads for Daly Cherry-Evans. That’s what the Roosters are doing. They’re clearing the decks, so they can make a big play.”

While Cherry-Evans is near the end of his career and Smith, at just 22 years old, has plenty of footy ahead of him, Hooper said 19-year-old Toby Rodwell could be the preferred long-term option at the Tricolours.

That leaves Smith in an awkward position and the Cowboys as a logical landing spot given they have been searching for a five-eighth to pair with Tom Dearden, having recently shifted Jaxon Purdue into the halves after indifferent form from Jake Clifford.

PANTHERS SNAP UP HINDY’S SON

Elsewhere, Western Sydney rivals Penrith have snapped up the son of Parramatta great and beloved Fox League personality Nathan Hindmarsh.

News Corp reported that 17-year-old second rower Buster Hindmarsh has signed a two-year deal with Penrith. Father Nathan said the Bulldogs were also close to getting his signature.

“Penrith gave us an invitation to go and check out their facilities and they were really impressive,” Nathan told the publication.

“The Bulldogs did the same thing. The Dogs were very close, too. They’ve got a great set up.

“He was keen on the Bears too, where he played SG Ball this year, but we decided the Panthers were the best option at this stage of his career.

“They’ve got such a great record bringing kids through and looking after them so professionally.”