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Castleford threatens to steal top Australian stars
Article from:
By James Phelps
October 27, 2007 12:00am
THE exodus of elite Australian players to the UK is set to continue with newly promoted Super League side Castleford poised to launch a multi-million-dollar raid on the NRL.
The Saturday Daily Telegraph can reveal that Castleford boss Michael Robinson and his football manager Terry Matterson have landed in Australia, armed with an NRL hit-list which features some of the game's biggest stars.
The club could recruit as many as five Australian players after winning a place in the UK Super League earlier this month with a second division grand final win.
Premiership-winning Bulldogs halfback Brent Sherwin heads an ambitious hit-list that is also understood to include Brett Hodgson, Danny Buderus, Kirk Reynoldson, Adam Peek, Steve Simpson, Michael Crocker, Mathew Head, Corey Payne and Todd Byrne.
The club has already approached Sherwin's manager Mark Rowan and it will make the playmaker an offer in the coming weeks.
Former Roosters and Broncos back-rower Matterson last night confirmed he was in Australia and on the hunt for "quality" players.
"Mick Robinson has been down there and I am in Brisbane," Matterson said.
"I will be in Sydney next week to catch up with a few of the managers. We are looking for a quality halfback and a couple of back-rowers and outside backs.
"Whether they come from here or in England I am not sure, we will have to have a look."
Matterson would not rule out targeting contracted players, with many NRL contracts including UK get-out clauses.
The NRL has already lost some of the games biggest stars to the Super League this year with grand final heroes Matt King and Michael Monaghan (both Warrington) among the departures.
"I think we have seen this year that there are always going to be players in Australia available," Matterson said.
"I am sure there are some teams that are close to the salary cap and there are always deals to be done. That's what I have to find out."
Matterson confirmed the club is interested in Bulldogs ace Sherwin but he stressed that he would be negotiating with players through the "right channels".
Sherwin still has a year to run on his contract with the Bulldogs.
"Brent has another year of his contract to go with the Bulldogs but we would be willing to talk to him and his club," Matterson said.
"He is an outstanding player but we will go through the right channels with the CEOs first.
"I have just spoken to Bruno Cullen (Brisbane CEO) and they know what we are looking for.
"The game is getting stronger over in the UK and the quality of the players coming over like Shaun Berrigan, Matt King, Michael Monaghan and Trent Barrett, you just didn't have that amount before and they are coming here in their prime.
"It may be a little bit bad for Australia but kids keep on coming through."
High-profile player manager Steve Gillis will be one of the NRL agents who will meet with Matterson on Friday.
"I have spoken to him and they (Castleford) are a very proactive club," Gillis said.
"I am looking forward to catching up with him on Friday. He has made it clear he is looking for the right type of player.
"It shows the club has got a good grasp of what needs to be done and I think they are heading in the right direction.
"They could recruit as many as five players and we will just have a talk about what he is looking for."
Matterson is also expected to meet with other player managers including Rowan, Sam Ayoub and Gavin Orr.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22655702-5006066,00.html
Article from:
By James Phelps
October 27, 2007 12:00am
THE exodus of elite Australian players to the UK is set to continue with newly promoted Super League side Castleford poised to launch a multi-million-dollar raid on the NRL.
The Saturday Daily Telegraph can reveal that Castleford boss Michael Robinson and his football manager Terry Matterson have landed in Australia, armed with an NRL hit-list which features some of the game's biggest stars.
The club could recruit as many as five Australian players after winning a place in the UK Super League earlier this month with a second division grand final win.
Premiership-winning Bulldogs halfback Brent Sherwin heads an ambitious hit-list that is also understood to include Brett Hodgson, Danny Buderus, Kirk Reynoldson, Adam Peek, Steve Simpson, Michael Crocker, Mathew Head, Corey Payne and Todd Byrne.
The club has already approached Sherwin's manager Mark Rowan and it will make the playmaker an offer in the coming weeks.
Former Roosters and Broncos back-rower Matterson last night confirmed he was in Australia and on the hunt for "quality" players.
"Mick Robinson has been down there and I am in Brisbane," Matterson said.
"I will be in Sydney next week to catch up with a few of the managers. We are looking for a quality halfback and a couple of back-rowers and outside backs.
"Whether they come from here or in England I am not sure, we will have to have a look."
Matterson would not rule out targeting contracted players, with many NRL contracts including UK get-out clauses.
The NRL has already lost some of the games biggest stars to the Super League this year with grand final heroes Matt King and Michael Monaghan (both Warrington) among the departures.
"I think we have seen this year that there are always going to be players in Australia available," Matterson said.
"I am sure there are some teams that are close to the salary cap and there are always deals to be done. That's what I have to find out."
Matterson confirmed the club is interested in Bulldogs ace Sherwin but he stressed that he would be negotiating with players through the "right channels".
Sherwin still has a year to run on his contract with the Bulldogs.
"Brent has another year of his contract to go with the Bulldogs but we would be willing to talk to him and his club," Matterson said.
"He is an outstanding player but we will go through the right channels with the CEOs first.
"I have just spoken to Bruno Cullen (Brisbane CEO) and they know what we are looking for.
"The game is getting stronger over in the UK and the quality of the players coming over like Shaun Berrigan, Matt King, Michael Monaghan and Trent Barrett, you just didn't have that amount before and they are coming here in their prime.
"It may be a little bit bad for Australia but kids keep on coming through."
High-profile player manager Steve Gillis will be one of the NRL agents who will meet with Matterson on Friday.
"I have spoken to him and they (Castleford) are a very proactive club," Gillis said.
"I am looking forward to catching up with him on Friday. He has made it clear he is looking for the right type of player.
"It shows the club has got a good grasp of what needs to be done and I think they are heading in the right direction.
"They could recruit as many as five players and we will just have a talk about what he is looking for."
Matterson is also expected to meet with other player managers including Rowan, Sam Ayoub and Gavin Orr.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22655702-5006066,00.html
