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Cronulla seem resigned to losing Kade Snowden to Newcastle Knights, especially with a cashed-up Nathan Tinkler tipped to become the new Knights club owner on Thursday night.
The 3000 Knights members have been invited to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre to vote on the Tinkler takeover plan, with 75 per cent needed to approve the proposal.
Former players such as Andrew Johns and Paul Harragon and current squad member Adam MacDougall have urged members to embrace Tinkler.
The mining giant is worth $610 million according to BRW magazine's "Young Rich List", which means he has the cash to tempt Snowden, 25, a Newcastle junior.
It is understood Newcastle Knights are offering $2 million over four years for Snowden, who made his NSW Origin debut last season.
Do you approve of the imminent Nathan Tinkler takeover? Post your view at the bottom of the page.
But for the time being, Snowden is part of a robust forward pack with Luke Douglas and internationals Jeremy Smith, Paul Gallen and Anthony Tupou, who have been the nucleus of the 2-1 start to the season after losing in round one. The last time the Sharks, who finished 14th and 15th the past two years, strung two wins together was mid-2009.
The difference this year is young halves Wade Graham and Albert Kelly working off the back of those quality forwards.
"I still think there's a lot of improvement in those two players. But they will get better," coach Shane Flanagan said.
Graham, who arrived from an "up-and-down" three years at Penrith, as he put it, is hitting his straps at No 7 with Kelly at No 6.
They came together like a blind date in the pre-season and played only 40 minutes in a trial game before round one. Now they appear like an old married couple such is the connection between them.
Another player reigniting his form is backrower Tupou, who had a mixed season last year after the death of his sister from cancer.
"He's put on 3kg of muscle and he's feeling confident within himself," Flanagan said.
Tupou last played for NSW and Australia in 2008.
Round four takes the Sharks for a "home" game to Taupo in New Zealand on Saturday against the winless Warriors. It was a deal done by the previous club administration in the hope of better crowds and gate takings.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...tinkler-takeover/story-e6frf3ou-1226030498508
The 3000 Knights members have been invited to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre to vote on the Tinkler takeover plan, with 75 per cent needed to approve the proposal.
Former players such as Andrew Johns and Paul Harragon and current squad member Adam MacDougall have urged members to embrace Tinkler.
The mining giant is worth $610 million according to BRW magazine's "Young Rich List", which means he has the cash to tempt Snowden, 25, a Newcastle junior.
It is understood Newcastle Knights are offering $2 million over four years for Snowden, who made his NSW Origin debut last season.
Do you approve of the imminent Nathan Tinkler takeover? Post your view at the bottom of the page.
But for the time being, Snowden is part of a robust forward pack with Luke Douglas and internationals Jeremy Smith, Paul Gallen and Anthony Tupou, who have been the nucleus of the 2-1 start to the season after losing in round one. The last time the Sharks, who finished 14th and 15th the past two years, strung two wins together was mid-2009.
The difference this year is young halves Wade Graham and Albert Kelly working off the back of those quality forwards.
"I still think there's a lot of improvement in those two players. But they will get better," coach Shane Flanagan said.
Graham, who arrived from an "up-and-down" three years at Penrith, as he put it, is hitting his straps at No 7 with Kelly at No 6.
They came together like a blind date in the pre-season and played only 40 minutes in a trial game before round one. Now they appear like an old married couple such is the connection between them.
Another player reigniting his form is backrower Tupou, who had a mixed season last year after the death of his sister from cancer.
"He's put on 3kg of muscle and he's feeling confident within himself," Flanagan said.
Tupou last played for NSW and Australia in 2008.
Round four takes the Sharks for a "home" game to Taupo in New Zealand on Saturday against the winless Warriors. It was a deal done by the previous club administration in the hope of better crowds and gate takings.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...tinkler-takeover/story-e6frf3ou-1226030498508
