Yeah you're right there. Souths on second thoughts won't offer more than 350k.
Manuleleau could be as good as AJ anyway. There are big wraps on him.
I guess as they say, you can't keep them all.
From what I've read of AJ's comments over the last few months and from last season, I think playing in the position that he wants, which is fullback, is more likely to decide his future than money. I've heard in countless interviews with him and comments in Big League, that he really wants to play fullback as that is his best position. What we could do is back end his contract in the anticipation that Greg Inglis decides to try his hand at rugby at the end of 2016 (or sooner).
I think if Rugby Union came in for Inglis then we should let him go - the guy will be 29 and probably won't get any better; if anything his best years may be behind him and even if he remains at the peak of his powers its not as if we're selling him to one of our rivals. Preferably, it would suit us better if we could release him while still under contract that way we can have first crack at him if he wants to come back to the NRL if he is still playing well.
Inglis is also on a stack of money and by letting him go, it could provide us with an opportunity to not only retain Johnston but also sign another player i.e. Sam Burgess whose stint in rugby could be coming to an end! Alex Johnston is the future and a long-term option at fullback - we need him more than Inglis in a sense!
