CRONULLA and NSW captain Trent Barrett is expected to confirm his retirement as early as today. Tired of speculation about his future the 32-year-old is set to re-affirm his position this is his final year in the NRL.
The announcement would come only two days after Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart told Sharks players he would not be seeing out the season, handing immediate command of the team to Shane Flanagan. Barrett, who was given the Blues captaincy for game three of this year's State of Origin series, indicated earlier in the season he would likely retire at its conclusion.
However, vocal interest from Parramatta in the past month has ignited talk he may spend one final season with the Eels, teaming in the halves with their emerging playmaker Daniel Mortimer.
That speculation would finally be quashed by confirmation he is hanging up the boots 14 years after making his debut, with the Illawarra Steelers. With Barrett out of the picture, the Eels' attention would turn to their other veteran halfback targets: Brett Kimmorley and Matt Orford. Kimmorley, also the subject of interest from Canberra, is tipped to decide on his future this weekend following Canterbury's grudge match against Parramatta tomorrow night. Orford is under contract at English Super League club Bradford but is thought to be keen to return to Australia.
Barrett spoke yesterday morning to Cronulla chairman Damian Irvine, downplaying a reported rift between the pair that was said to be behind his decision to leave the Sharks. However, Barrett is a close friend of Stuart, who has not been on speaking terms with Irvine since last December, when the coach was told of allegations the chairman had approached Nathan Brown via a third party about taking over at Toyota Stadium. It is well known Barrett has a strong desire to return home to Temora but the Sharks hope to retain him in a role, potentially in recruitment and scouting, after his playing days are up. They would also like to have him on the books in an ambassadorial role.
Meanwhile, Penrith lock Luke Lewis will have a fitness test on his injured shoulder today in an effort to be a late inclusion for the Panthers' trip to Melbourne on Saturday night. Lewis missed last weekend's defeat by the Eels after sustaining the injury in the previous round against the New Zealand Warriors.
Wests Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons is edging closer to being announced as the new head coach of St Helens, with minor visa issues all that stand between his getting the green light. It is understood Simmons and the club have agreed to terms and once visa details are ironed out his appointment will be finalised.
Brisbane yesterday announced the re-signing of teenage back Corey Norman until the end of the 2012 season
