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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25009050-5006066,00.html
Michael Crocker still sweating on UK visa to allow him to play for Hull
Super League deal looking less likely...Michael Crocker. / The Daily Telegraph
MICHAEL Crocker - the most punishing forward in rugby league - stands to lose close to $1 million if he does not receive a visa to play with Hull in the UK Super League. As the Bulldogs confirmed their interest in the Australian and Queensland back-rower, The Daily Telegraph has unearthed the shambolic situation confronting Crocker.
He is sweating on an appeal to the British High Commission after it rejected his visa application.
While Crocker's management remain hopeful the appeal will be upheld, Hull officials have privately admitted "he won't be coming". They are resigned to the fact his appeal will be rejected.
The Daily Telegraph has learned that a chaotic set of events has left arguably the best forward in the game in no-man's land.
An incident in March 2005, when he had to be subdued by police with capsicum spray outside the Palace Hotel in Coogee after a fight broke out involving his best mate, is at the heart of the matter.
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Crocker pleaded guilty to affray in Waverly court in January 2006 and the incident attracted a $10,000 fine from his former club the Roosters.
He fled to Melbourne to escape the late-night temptations of Sydney but the incident is now haunting him. Affray is considered a major offence in Britain.
It stands to cost Crocker dearly.
He asked for an early release from the final year of his contract with the Storm, which was worth about $350,000 a season.
The Storm couldn't believe their luck at the time because they had concerns about his longevity in the game because of injury - a result of his full-throttle approach.
Crocker wanted out because he stood to earn more than $900,000 over three seasons at Hull.
He split with long-time manager Jim Banaghan and aligned himself with former Storm teammate Denis Scott, who pieced together the Hull deal. What neither he nor Scott anticipated was that there would be a problem in gaining a working visa.
His appeal to the British High Commission could take as long as three months.
Crocker's other manager, Andrew Purcell, said yesterday he had not spoken to any NRL clubs - including the Bulldogs - because he did not want to prejudice the appeal process.
"We have fielded no calls from any NRL clubs," he insisted.
But Bulldogs recruitment manager Peter Mulholland confirmed he had spoken to Purcell about securing the stranded back-rower.
"We made an approach today (Wednesday) just to check on his status," Mulholland confirmed.
"He's a quality player of international and Origin standard.
"His manager told us that he was waiting to see what was happening with the appeal process first."
The Bulldogs would appear to be Crocker's best option of covering some of the shortfall should his deal with Hull evaporate.
Sacking wayward back-rower Reni Maitua freed up at least $250,000 but some of that was gobbled up when the Bulldogs signed Broncos forward David Stagg.
They would prefer to sign Crocker to a long-term deal.
Canberra and South Sydney are also believed to be interested.
Michael Crocker still sweating on UK visa to allow him to play for Hull
MICHAEL Crocker - the most punishing forward in rugby league - stands to lose close to $1 million if he does not receive a visa to play with Hull in the UK Super League. As the Bulldogs confirmed their interest in the Australian and Queensland back-rower, The Daily Telegraph has unearthed the shambolic situation confronting Crocker.
He is sweating on an appeal to the British High Commission after it rejected his visa application.
While Crocker's management remain hopeful the appeal will be upheld, Hull officials have privately admitted "he won't be coming". They are resigned to the fact his appeal will be rejected.
The Daily Telegraph has learned that a chaotic set of events has left arguably the best forward in the game in no-man's land.
An incident in March 2005, when he had to be subdued by police with capsicum spray outside the Palace Hotel in Coogee after a fight broke out involving his best mate, is at the heart of the matter.
Related Links
Crocker pleaded guilty to affray in Waverly court in January 2006 and the incident attracted a $10,000 fine from his former club the Roosters.
He fled to Melbourne to escape the late-night temptations of Sydney but the incident is now haunting him. Affray is considered a major offence in Britain.
It stands to cost Crocker dearly.
He asked for an early release from the final year of his contract with the Storm, which was worth about $350,000 a season.
The Storm couldn't believe their luck at the time because they had concerns about his longevity in the game because of injury - a result of his full-throttle approach.
Crocker wanted out because he stood to earn more than $900,000 over three seasons at Hull.
He split with long-time manager Jim Banaghan and aligned himself with former Storm teammate Denis Scott, who pieced together the Hull deal. What neither he nor Scott anticipated was that there would be a problem in gaining a working visa.
His appeal to the British High Commission could take as long as three months.
Crocker's other manager, Andrew Purcell, said yesterday he had not spoken to any NRL clubs - including the Bulldogs - because he did not want to prejudice the appeal process.
"We have fielded no calls from any NRL clubs," he insisted.
But Bulldogs recruitment manager Peter Mulholland confirmed he had spoken to Purcell about securing the stranded back-rower.
"We made an approach today (Wednesday) just to check on his status," Mulholland confirmed.
"He's a quality player of international and Origin standard.
"His manager told us that he was waiting to see what was happening with the appeal process first."
The Bulldogs would appear to be Crocker's best option of covering some of the shortfall should his deal with Hull evaporate.
Sacking wayward back-rower Reni Maitua freed up at least $250,000 but some of that was gobbled up when the Bulldogs signed Broncos forward David Stagg.
They would prefer to sign Crocker to a long-term deal.
Canberra and South Sydney are also believed to be interested.
