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Melbourne's focus on keeping star quartet means Brett White set to leave
By Brent Read
July 15, 2010
Melbourne prop Brett White is set to join Canberra next season in a move which increases the Storm's hopes of retaining Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith.
White was among the players to receive permission to explore their options on the open market and it's understood he will link with the Raiders provided he can negotiate a satisfactory release from Melbourne.
Latest reports suggest the Storm is $1.3 million over the salary cap for next season, but the club is desperate to hold on to its four biggest stars. To do that, the club is willing to allow the likes of White and Ryan Hoffman - on his way to Wigan - to leave.
White has attracted interest from North Queensland and the Warriors, but Canberra appears his most likely destination should he extricate himself from the Storm. The NSW and Australia forward hails from Cooma, about 114km south of the nation's capital.
Canberra officials declined to comment, while White's manager Steve Gillis said his client's first preference was to remain in Melbourne.
That appears unlikely given the size of the club's salary cap breaches and its desire to retain its quartet of superstars.
"He hasn't done a deal yet," Gillis said.
"When I spoke to him the other day he wanted to stay. We have to see how it falls over the next few days."
While White is one of the club's highest-profile players, the Storm has younger and cheaper front-row options in Adam Blair and Jesse Bromwich.
It is understood Blair and backrower Kevin Proctor, along with Smith, are the club's priority retentions in the forwards.
The club already has a host of young stars emerging in its backline headed by fullback Gareth Widdop, and wingers Justin O'Neill and Matt Duffie. From the Storm's existing backline, Anthony Quinn and Brett Finch are expected to leave.
The club's cause could yet be helped by further changes to the salary cap. The NRL has already foreshadowed an increase in the salary cap next season by $100,000 to $4.2m and a lift in the marquee player allowance from $150,000 to $300,000.
However, further changes could be in the wind with salary cap auditor Ian Schubert to make further recommendations to the salary cap committee this week.
The Rugby League Players Association is also set to push for more increases, with suggestions they could ask for a $500,000 increase in the cap over the next two years.
That would ease the burden on the Storm, although the club would still need to shed players. Several clubs are waiting in the wings, including North Queensland.
The Cowboys are fighting a losing battle to hold on to Luke O'Donnell, who is likely to accept a big-money offer from Huddersfield.
The Cowboys, yet to decide whether they will re-sign Willie Mason, were linked with White but it appears they will now turn their attentions to one of Melbourne's other forwards - most likely*New Zealand*international Sika Manu.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27409390-5018866,00.html
By Brent Read
July 15, 2010
Melbourne prop Brett White is set to join Canberra next season in a move which increases the Storm's hopes of retaining Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith.
White was among the players to receive permission to explore their options on the open market and it's understood he will link with the Raiders provided he can negotiate a satisfactory release from Melbourne.
Latest reports suggest the Storm is $1.3 million over the salary cap for next season, but the club is desperate to hold on to its four biggest stars. To do that, the club is willing to allow the likes of White and Ryan Hoffman - on his way to Wigan - to leave.
White has attracted interest from North Queensland and the Warriors, but Canberra appears his most likely destination should he extricate himself from the Storm. The NSW and Australia forward hails from Cooma, about 114km south of the nation's capital.
Canberra officials declined to comment, while White's manager Steve Gillis said his client's first preference was to remain in Melbourne.
That appears unlikely given the size of the club's salary cap breaches and its desire to retain its quartet of superstars.
"He hasn't done a deal yet," Gillis said.
"When I spoke to him the other day he wanted to stay. We have to see how it falls over the next few days."
While White is one of the club's highest-profile players, the Storm has younger and cheaper front-row options in Adam Blair and Jesse Bromwich.
It is understood Blair and backrower Kevin Proctor, along with Smith, are the club's priority retentions in the forwards.
The club already has a host of young stars emerging in its backline headed by fullback Gareth Widdop, and wingers Justin O'Neill and Matt Duffie. From the Storm's existing backline, Anthony Quinn and Brett Finch are expected to leave.
The club's cause could yet be helped by further changes to the salary cap. The NRL has already foreshadowed an increase in the salary cap next season by $100,000 to $4.2m and a lift in the marquee player allowance from $150,000 to $300,000.
However, further changes could be in the wind with salary cap auditor Ian Schubert to make further recommendations to the salary cap committee this week.
The Rugby League Players Association is also set to push for more increases, with suggestions they could ask for a $500,000 increase in the cap over the next two years.
That would ease the burden on the Storm, although the club would still need to shed players. Several clubs are waiting in the wings, including North Queensland.
The Cowboys are fighting a losing battle to hold on to Luke O'Donnell, who is likely to accept a big-money offer from Huddersfield.
The Cowboys, yet to decide whether they will re-sign Willie Mason, were linked with White but it appears they will now turn their attentions to one of Melbourne's other forwards - most likely*New Zealand*international Sika Manu.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27409390-5018866,00.html
).. how do u rekon Furner would go with that tallent... u rekon he coudl make the 8
