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Bulldogs believed to have offered Cory Patterson $1.1 million
By Stuart Honeysett
February 11, 2009 NEWCASTLE has a fight on its hands to retain Cory Paterson after the Bulldogs tabled an offer in excess of $1 million to lure the backrower from the Knights.
Paterson, 21, is off contract at the end of the season and has already had interest from the Sydney Roosters and North Queensland.
However, it is believed the Bulldogs recently offered $1.1m over three seasons which stunned the young forward given he has only played 42 first-grade games.
A talented ball player who has already tasted representative football with the Prime Minister's XIII last year, Paterson has been tipped as a State of Origin and Australia player.
The Bulldogs are also in the hunt for former Melbourne forward Michael Crocker after he was denied a working visa to take up a lucrative offer from Hull in the English Super League.
Given the club has already lost two skilful forwards in Sonny Bill Williams and Reni Maitua, Paterson is probably viewed as a better long-term proposition.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg confirmed the club was interested in Paterson but denied an offer had been made.
"We haven't put any numbers together yet," Greenberg said.
"We see him obviously as a talented player who would be a handy addition to our 2010 roster but talks will be ongoing."
Paterson's manager Steve Gillis refused to disclose any details other than to say his client wanted the matter sorted before the season started next month.
"It's a work in progress and Cory has spoken to a few clubs," Gillis said.
"He remains open-minded about everything and I think we'll know more sooner rather than later."
Newcastle has not given up hope of retaining Paterson but it is believed the club will not be able to match the Bulldogs' offer.
Gillis is scheduled to meet Knights officials this week to continue negotiations.
"There's no doubt a player of his calibre would be sought after by a number of clubs," Knights chief executive Steve Burraston said.
"But there's a fair bit of motivation for us to keep him and there's a fair bit of motivation from his side to stay in Newcastle."
Paterson had also been linked with a move to the NFL but Gillis said he remained committed at this stage to staying in the NRL.
"He's just decided he'll have time to do that down the track if it's something he wants to revisit but his focus is rugby league at this stage," Gillis said.
Greenberg said the approach to Paterson shouldn't impinge on the club's ongoing interest in Crocker.
However, it would be a challenge for the club to try to squeeze both players under the salary cap on long-term deals.
"We haven't even gone into these discussions with his manager because his manager is primarily focused on trying to get him a deal in the UK," Greenberg said.
"The ball's in their court at the moment and they've said they'll concentrate on their appeal and they'll be in contact when they've finished."
Crocker has not ruled out appealing against the decision by the British High Commission to deny him a working visa over a police charge for affray in 2005.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25038263-23214,00.html
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Crikey.
By Stuart Honeysett
February 11, 2009 NEWCASTLE has a fight on its hands to retain Cory Paterson after the Bulldogs tabled an offer in excess of $1 million to lure the backrower from the Knights.
Paterson, 21, is off contract at the end of the season and has already had interest from the Sydney Roosters and North Queensland.
However, it is believed the Bulldogs recently offered $1.1m over three seasons which stunned the young forward given he has only played 42 first-grade games.
A talented ball player who has already tasted representative football with the Prime Minister's XIII last year, Paterson has been tipped as a State of Origin and Australia player.
The Bulldogs are also in the hunt for former Melbourne forward Michael Crocker after he was denied a working visa to take up a lucrative offer from Hull in the English Super League.
Given the club has already lost two skilful forwards in Sonny Bill Williams and Reni Maitua, Paterson is probably viewed as a better long-term proposition.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg confirmed the club was interested in Paterson but denied an offer had been made.
"We haven't put any numbers together yet," Greenberg said.
"We see him obviously as a talented player who would be a handy addition to our 2010 roster but talks will be ongoing."
Paterson's manager Steve Gillis refused to disclose any details other than to say his client wanted the matter sorted before the season started next month.
"It's a work in progress and Cory has spoken to a few clubs," Gillis said.
"He remains open-minded about everything and I think we'll know more sooner rather than later."
Newcastle has not given up hope of retaining Paterson but it is believed the club will not be able to match the Bulldogs' offer.
Gillis is scheduled to meet Knights officials this week to continue negotiations.
"There's no doubt a player of his calibre would be sought after by a number of clubs," Knights chief executive Steve Burraston said.
"But there's a fair bit of motivation for us to keep him and there's a fair bit of motivation from his side to stay in Newcastle."
Paterson had also been linked with a move to the NFL but Gillis said he remained committed at this stage to staying in the NRL.
"He's just decided he'll have time to do that down the track if it's something he wants to revisit but his focus is rugby league at this stage," Gillis said.
Greenberg said the approach to Paterson shouldn't impinge on the club's ongoing interest in Crocker.
However, it would be a challenge for the club to try to squeeze both players under the salary cap on long-term deals.
"We haven't even gone into these discussions with his manager because his manager is primarily focused on trying to get him a deal in the UK," Greenberg said.
"The ball's in their court at the moment and they've said they'll concentrate on their appeal and they'll be in contact when they've finished."
Crocker has not ruled out appealing against the decision by the British High Commission to deny him a working visa over a police charge for affray in 2005.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25038263-23214,00.html
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Crikey.
