South Sydney have earmarked North Queensland powerhouse Tariq Sims as a replacement for rugby-bound Sam Burgess.

Sims is contracted to the Cowboys until the end of next year but has asked for a release to shift his young family to Sydney. Club officials are yet to decide whether to grant the request.

It is learnt the Rabbitohs and Cronulla are among the clubs interested in Sims' services should he become available.

Souths have again missed out on one of the star forwards on their wish list – Wade Graham is poised to re-sign a long-term deal with Cronulla.

The Sharks view Graham as a future captain and upgraded the initial offer they made last month to keep poachers at bay. The new deal is expected to be announced on Monday.

Souths already have a seven-figure war chest following Burgess' switch to rugby union at the end of the season but could have even more money to spend if Ben T'eo also moves on. The Queensland forward has an option in his favour for this year and it is understood he is likely to rejoin Brisbane.

The Rabbitohs have made a play for several high-profile replacements for Burgess but have missed out on all of them.

They have ruled out making another bid for Andrew Fifita following the unravelling of the Test prop's deal with Canterbury, and James Graham has declined overtures to shift from Belmore.

Tim Grant was almost a done deal before Penrith refused to release him, and Rooster Kane Evans is also said to have spurned advances from the cardinal and myrtle.

Sims has already played for Fiji but is tipped for further representative honours. A member of NSW's "Blues in Waiting" squad, he may well have played Origin already if not for two bad leg injuries that stalled his career.

Sims' partner, Ashleigh, gave birth to their first child six weeks ago and the pair hope to move to Sydney to be closer to family.

North Queensland have the option to enforce the entirety of his contract, cut him adrift immediately or release him at the end of the season.

The latter option would probably be preferable for both parties, giving the Cowboys Sims' services while they scout for a replacement.

Cronulla are hopeful of retaining Fifita but are interested in Sims, regardless. The club is looking for replenishments after the departure of several forwards in the off season, while some of those remaining are creeping towards the end of their careers.

Burgess was again in the news, albeit inadvertently, after being struck on the head following his side's win over Penrith on Friday at Sportingbet Stadium.

A female fan hit the Great Britain international with her flag as he walked from the field at full-time. While the incident is being investigated by the clubs and the NRL, Burgess could see the lighter side.

"I think she took a liking to me," he told Triple M on Saturday.

"I don't want to make a big deal of the incident, it's just a thing that happened and I think the NRL and Penrith will be sorting through that one. I'm all right mate, I'm not injured."

Asked to elaborate on what happened, Burgess said: "I was just walking off after the game and I think she got a little bit excited and took a little swipe at me. She got me, in my melon. I've got a big melon so it's not hard to miss."

Speaking on the same radio station, Souths coach Michael Maguire added: "It was a little bit disappointing, but you can't miss that head. We had a bit of a joke about it earlier. He was a bit upset about it, it was a bit of a shock.

"I'm just glad it didn't get him in the eye or anything like that. We've just got to be careful there."

The woman had come forward and identified herself to Panthers officials.

An NRL spokesman said the Panthers would file a report to the governing body once they had interviewed her.

"From our point of view, the NRL is well aware Penrith is looking into it and we'll wait for their report," NRL media officer David Taylor said.