In a surprising turn of events, the Wests Tigers have released halfback Jayden Sullivan from his contract, allowing him to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2025 season. However, in an unusual twist, Sullivan will return to the Tigers for the 2026 and 2027 seasons to see out the remainder of his original four-year deal.
The 23-year-old former Dragon had signed a lucrative contract with the Tigers starting in 2024, and began the season as the starting halfback. But Sullivan quickly fell out of favor with new head coach Benji Marshall, who preferred other options like Lachie Galvin, Latu Fainu and Aidan Sezer in the halves positions.
Despite being the Round 1 halfback, Sullivan made only eight NRL appearances for the Tigers in 2024 before being consistently overlooked from June onwards. With star signing Jarome Luai set to command a starting spot next season, Sullivan’s opportunities looked increasingly limited at Concord.
Tigers Retain Rights for 2026-27
In an intriguing contract arrangement, the Wests Tigers have agreed to release Sullivan to the Rabbitohs for 2025, but retain his rights for the final two years of his original deal in 2026 and 2027. It’s a unique situation that could see Sullivan play for three different clubs across four seasons.
“Bud is a good person and a very talented player, and we all hope this move works out for him,
– Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall
While Tigers coach Marshall expressed well-wishes for Sullivan, the wisdom of allowing a promising young half to depart, even temporarily, to a rival club will certainly be questioned. Especially for a side that has now collected three consecutive wooden spoons.
Opportunity at Redfern
For Jayden Sullivan, the one-year stint at Souths represents a much-needed opportunity to reignite his NRL career. He’ll bolster the Rabbitohs’ depth in the halves behind first-choice pairing Lewis Dodd and Cody Walker.
Jayden is a great talent and we think he can play his best football here at the Rabbitohs under the guidance of Wayne (Bennett, head coach).
– Mark Ellison, Souths Head of Recruitment and Retention
With master coach Wayne Bennett at the helm, Sullivan will be hoping to recapture the form that saw the Tigers sign him to a rich four-year deal in the first place. Strong performances could put pressure on incumbent halves Dodd and Walker, and potentially earn Sullivan an extended stay at Redfern.
Implications for Wests Tigers
The departure of Sullivan, even for just one season, leaves the Tigers light on established playmaking options. Much of the creative burden will fall on new signing Jarome Luai, with Lachie Galvin the frontrunner to partner him in the halves.
After three seasons at the bottom of the ladder, the Tigers can ill-afford to let young talent leave, even temporarily. If Sullivan thrives at Souths, questions will be asked about Benji Marshall’s roster management and retention of promising players.
Marshall is overseeing a rebuilding phase at Concord, but the unconventional handling of Sullivan’s situation adds another layer of intrigue. Can the Tigers rebound in 2025 with Luai leading the way, or will the loss of Sullivan further hamper their playmaking stocks?
The Bottom Line
Jayden Sullivan’s surprise release to the Rabbitohs for 2025, with a locked-in return to the Tigers for 2026-27, is one of the more bizarre contract situations in recent NRL history. For the player, it’s a chance to revive his career at a strong club. For the Tigers, it’s a gamble that could backfire if Sullivan stars at Souths.
In the cutthroat world of the NRL, this type of arrangement is almost unheard of. Whether it proves a masterstroke or a major misstep for the Wests Tigers remains to be seen. For now, it’s just another twist in the rollercoaster existence of the embattled joint-venture club.
