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Barrett to wreck Ryles-Kimmorley deal
Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett | April 24, 2008
THE proposed trade involving St George Illawarra's Jason Ryles and Cronulla's Brett Kimmorley could be scuttled by the imminent return to the NRL of former Dragons captain Trent Barrett.
Barrett, who left the Dragons two years ago to join English club Wigan, is believed to be on the verge of requesting a release from the Super League giant.
Barrett and his wife Kylie held talks with Wigan officials overnight to explain their situation, in what is believed to be the first step towards a return to the NRL next year.
The former Test half has attracted interest from several clubs, most notably the Dragons and the Bulldogs.
Cronulla would also consider making a play for Barrett, although its interest would be contingent on whether Kimmorley and Ben Ross are at the club next season.
However, Penrith ruled itself out of the Barrett lottery even though the club would have the bankroll to pursue him after releasing backrower Tony Puletua to St Helens.
Barrett's manager Wayne Beavis last night confirmed a meeting was scheduled to take place with Wigan officials but declined to elaborate on whether Barrett was seeking a release.
While Beavis insisted Barrett was happy, it is understood his wife is pregnant and wants to come home.
"The situation is he has a contract for this year and next year, but his wife is homesick," Beavis said.
"I have had a couple of clubs ring me after hearing the speculation. I think it's reasonable to suggest that if he were to come back there would be a reasonable degree of interest. He's a quality player and a quality bloke."
Barrett is understood to be incoming St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett's first choice for next season.
A return to his former club would likely expedite the departure of Ryles, given Barrett would command an estimated $400,000 a season.
The Dragons would be unlikely to be able to afford both.
Should Barrett opt to play elsewhere in the NRL, the Dragons would almost certainly make an offer to Kimmorley.
Asked about Barrett yesterday, St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust replied: "We are looking at our 2009 roster."
If Barrett does return to St George Illawarra next season, Kimmorley could leave for England, where Super League side Hull is circling.
Hull has also been linked with Ross, whose tenure at the Sharks continues to be the subject of speculation.
Kimmorley was declared off limits to the media at training yesterday, leaving coach Ricky Stuart to field questions over his halfback's future.
"I spoke to Brett this morning and he didn't know too much about it and it's just something we'll work through," Stuart said.
When asked if we would allow a player to switch clubs during the season, Stuart replied: "If it was the right decision for our club and the right decision for the player.
"I've always got an open mind about these types of things. We're making decisions here in going forward and we've got to make the best decisions for our club.
"Every coach is about improving his group of players, his roster, and I'm no different to any other coach. But it's just speculation in regards to Brett and a so-called trade-off."
Cronulla five-eighth Greg Bird, whose recent combination with Kimmorley in the halves has helped keep the Sharks at the top of the table, said he would be disappointed if the No7 left.
"It's always disappointing to see team-mates leave, but it is a business and that's the way the game is these days," Bird said.
"We could keep everyone and have a salary cap of $10million, but it just doesn't work that way. To keep things fair, these things happen. The club's making decisions and we've just got to play our football."
While Kimmorley and Ryles appear unlikely to move mid-season, the Dragons prop is not expected to remain with the club in 2009.
Doust said he did not believe Ryles was unhappy at the club, although he conceded the former NSW and Australia prop was frustrated.
"Rylesy and I have known each other for a long time," Doust said. "I am sure if he was unhappy he would have spoken to me."
Cronulla captain Paul Gallen said he wouldn't mind being a team-mate of Ryles.
"Jason Ryles is a good player and he's copped some unfair criticism from the Dragons," Gallen said. "He'd be a good player to play alongside. I've had some run-ins with him, but that's only because he played for the other team."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...012431,00.html
Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett | April 24, 2008
THE proposed trade involving St George Illawarra's Jason Ryles and Cronulla's Brett Kimmorley could be scuttled by the imminent return to the NRL of former Dragons captain Trent Barrett.
Barrett, who left the Dragons two years ago to join English club Wigan, is believed to be on the verge of requesting a release from the Super League giant.
Barrett and his wife Kylie held talks with Wigan officials overnight to explain their situation, in what is believed to be the first step towards a return to the NRL next year.
The former Test half has attracted interest from several clubs, most notably the Dragons and the Bulldogs.
Cronulla would also consider making a play for Barrett, although its interest would be contingent on whether Kimmorley and Ben Ross are at the club next season.
However, Penrith ruled itself out of the Barrett lottery even though the club would have the bankroll to pursue him after releasing backrower Tony Puletua to St Helens.
Barrett's manager Wayne Beavis last night confirmed a meeting was scheduled to take place with Wigan officials but declined to elaborate on whether Barrett was seeking a release.
While Beavis insisted Barrett was happy, it is understood his wife is pregnant and wants to come home.
"The situation is he has a contract for this year and next year, but his wife is homesick," Beavis said.
"I have had a couple of clubs ring me after hearing the speculation. I think it's reasonable to suggest that if he were to come back there would be a reasonable degree of interest. He's a quality player and a quality bloke."
Barrett is understood to be incoming St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett's first choice for next season.
A return to his former club would likely expedite the departure of Ryles, given Barrett would command an estimated $400,000 a season.
The Dragons would be unlikely to be able to afford both.
Should Barrett opt to play elsewhere in the NRL, the Dragons would almost certainly make an offer to Kimmorley.
Asked about Barrett yesterday, St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust replied: "We are looking at our 2009 roster."
If Barrett does return to St George Illawarra next season, Kimmorley could leave for England, where Super League side Hull is circling.
Hull has also been linked with Ross, whose tenure at the Sharks continues to be the subject of speculation.
Kimmorley was declared off limits to the media at training yesterday, leaving coach Ricky Stuart to field questions over his halfback's future.
"I spoke to Brett this morning and he didn't know too much about it and it's just something we'll work through," Stuart said.
When asked if we would allow a player to switch clubs during the season, Stuart replied: "If it was the right decision for our club and the right decision for the player.
"I've always got an open mind about these types of things. We're making decisions here in going forward and we've got to make the best decisions for our club.
"Every coach is about improving his group of players, his roster, and I'm no different to any other coach. But it's just speculation in regards to Brett and a so-called trade-off."
Cronulla five-eighth Greg Bird, whose recent combination with Kimmorley in the halves has helped keep the Sharks at the top of the table, said he would be disappointed if the No7 left.
"It's always disappointing to see team-mates leave, but it is a business and that's the way the game is these days," Bird said.
"We could keep everyone and have a salary cap of $10million, but it just doesn't work that way. To keep things fair, these things happen. The club's making decisions and we've just got to play our football."
While Kimmorley and Ryles appear unlikely to move mid-season, the Dragons prop is not expected to remain with the club in 2009.
Doust said he did not believe Ryles was unhappy at the club, although he conceded the former NSW and Australia prop was frustrated.
"Rylesy and I have known each other for a long time," Doust said. "I am sure if he was unhappy he would have spoken to me."
Cronulla captain Paul Gallen said he wouldn't mind being a team-mate of Ryles.
"Jason Ryles is a good player and he's copped some unfair criticism from the Dragons," Gallen said. "He'd be a good player to play alongside. I've had some run-ins with him, but that's only because he played for the other team."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...012431,00.html
