Rabbitohs join Barrett hunt after Lewis snub
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/rabbitohs-join-barrett-hunt/2008/05/28/1211654121824.html
SOUTH Sydney are cashed up and ready to splurge more than $600,000 next season after missing out on Penrith halfback Luke Lewis - and former Dragons captain Trent Barrett is their prime target.
A lavish steakhouse lunch with co-owner Russell Crowe and a lucrative four-year-deal wasn't enough for the Rabbitohs to secure Lewis, who cited "family reasons" for his decision to remain at the Panthers for another four seasons.
Instead of treating the snub as another body blow in a horror week - and despite Lewis secretly sounding out the Bulldogs on Tuesday - South Sydney immediately went on the offensive in the player market.
While chief executive Shane Richardson would not comment on whether Barrett has become their priority, the
Herald understands an approach has already been made to the former Dragons five-eighth, who has been given permission from Wigan to return to Australia in 2009 because his wife is homesick.
"We're open to all offers," is all Barrett's manager, Wayne Beavis, would say last night.
Cronulla are the favourites for Barrett's signature, while Canberra remain in the running, but South Sydney have room to move should they offload out-of-favour halves Jeremy Smith and Ben Rogers.
Sharks chief executive Tony Zappia and Canberra's Don Furner both maintained the delay would not lead to the withdrawal of their offers to Barrett.
"If he doesn't come, he doesn't come," Zappia said.
Barrett's future remains on hold, with confusion still evident in discussions between his manager and Wigan. Beavis maintained he was unable to start formal discussions with NRL clubs because he was yet to gain a release from the English club, while Wigan boss Ian Lenagan said Barrett was free to negotiate "as far as I'm concerned".
Beavis, who spoke with Barrett yesterday, said he had sent three emails to Lenagan requesting a release in the past month, with no reply.
"It's unfortunate it's become a bit protracted but hopefully it'll be resolved very shortly," Beavis said. "I've done everything I can do from this end to facilitate the release."
But Lenagan last night claimed Beavis was free to negotiate with other clubs. "As far as I'm concerned, his manager is able to negotiate with other clubs - I've given him written permission to negotiate with other clubs," he said. "Trent can leave at the end of this year."
There was speculation last night South Sydney might also target Wests Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson - even though he has signed with Huddersfield - and their emerging back-rower Ben Te'o. Lewis's decision was viewed as another stake in the heart for the Rabbitohs, who have been in turmoil since Monday when co-owner Peter Holmes a Court resigned as chairman. "I knew after that meeting yesterday with
