Controversial five-eighth Todd Carney has rejected an initial contract extension offer from Cronulla, the club that brought him back from NRL oblivion.
It's understood Carney wants to stay but is seeking a better deal and is tempted by interest from Penrith, Parramatta and the Gold Coast.
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It's understood Carney wants to stay but is seeking a better deal and is tempted by interest from Penrith, Parramatta and the Gold Coast.
Carney played for the Sharks last season after being dumped by the Sydney Roosters for a series of alcohol-related incidents. It was the second time he had been sacked by an NRL club after Canberra did the same in 2008.
Carney joins North Queensland's Test halfback Johnathan Thurston atop an astonishing list of play-makers coming off contract at the end of the season, and almost all are happy to take their time assessing their options.
Carney joins North Queensland's Test halfback Johnathan Thurston atop an astonishing list of play-makers coming off contract at the end of the season, and almost all are happy to take their time assessing their options.
Among the array of talent set to enter the market are Gareth Widdop (Melbourne), Corey Norman (Brisbane), Trent Hodkinson, Kris Keating (Bulldogs), Sam Williams (Raiders), Robert Lui (Cowboys), Jamie Soward (Dragons), Ben Roberts (Eels), Mitchell Pearce (Roosters) and Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs).
"It's extraordinary when you go through that list. It is certainly not what we have become accustomed to seeing in the NRL in recent years," said former Test captain Wally Lewis.
"I think it is fair to say that, more than ever, these days a side's halves represent the key to their team's chances of winning and as such you find clubs like to have those blokes under lock and key before any rival gets a sniff.
"Obviously, with the new TV deal there is a lot of extra money being pumped into the game and players are keen to see how much it will impact on their individual value, and good luck to them.
"But I have to admit I am surprised there has been any real drama with Todd and the Sharks. It just looked like a match made in heaven last season.
"I imagine the club would be really keen to have him stay and similarly I think Todd would be happy playing the rest of his career behind a pack as big and dominant as the one he has there with him at Cronulla."
The Sharks tabled a three-year offer during the off-season, short of the four-year extension Carney, 26, is after.
The two parties are also at an impasse over the money on offer. The club is hamstrung by the NRL's delay in announcing a revised salary cap figure.
Club administrators are becoming frustrated by the continued silence from NRL headquarters because the players, understandably, are reluctant to sign before the new cap limit and collective bargaining agreement are officially ratified.
North Queensland has the same problem, football manager Peter Parr admitting uncertainty surrounding the salary cap parameters rendered the majority of contract discussions pointless.
"We don't know what we are working within this season, let alone next season," Parr said.
"It's extraordinary when you go through that list. It is certainly not what we have become accustomed to seeing in the NRL in recent years," said former Test captain Wally Lewis.
"I think it is fair to say that, more than ever, these days a side's halves represent the key to their team's chances of winning and as such you find clubs like to have those blokes under lock and key before any rival gets a sniff.
"Obviously, with the new TV deal there is a lot of extra money being pumped into the game and players are keen to see how much it will impact on their individual value, and good luck to them.
"But I have to admit I am surprised there has been any real drama with Todd and the Sharks. It just looked like a match made in heaven last season.
"I imagine the club would be really keen to have him stay and similarly I think Todd would be happy playing the rest of his career behind a pack as big and dominant as the one he has there with him at Cronulla."
The Sharks tabled a three-year offer during the off-season, short of the four-year extension Carney, 26, is after.
The two parties are also at an impasse over the money on offer. The club is hamstrung by the NRL's delay in announcing a revised salary cap figure.
Club administrators are becoming frustrated by the continued silence from NRL headquarters because the players, understandably, are reluctant to sign before the new cap limit and collective bargaining agreement are officially ratified.
North Queensland has the same problem, football manager Peter Parr admitting uncertainty surrounding the salary cap parameters rendered the majority of contract discussions pointless.
"We don't know what we are working within this season, let alone next season," Parr said.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/...re/story-e6frfkp9-1226559701560#ixzz2Ijr6ZA2a
