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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24300568-5006066,00.html
THE Sharks have received a major boost on the eve of the finals, with point-scoring machine Luke Covell about to sign a new one-year deal. While Covell's unlikely rise to NRL top scorer doubles as one of this season's feel-good stories, his protracted contract talks have given Sharks fans a headache during an otherwise positive season.
But The Daily Telegraph can reveal Covell is poised to sign a new deal in coming days after fruitful talks between his management and Sharks officials.
The 26-year-old winger's agent Steve Gillis met with Cronulla CEO Tony Zappia on Thursday to finalise the deal, which will tie up the winger for a further season.
Preparations for tonight's clash against North Queensland at Toyota Park prevented Covell from agreeing to terms yesterday. He will re-sign Monday.
Gillis said Covell had attracted interest from rugby clubs and the UK Super League but had always expressed a desire to remain with the Sharks.
"His family lives in the area and he doesn't want to move away,'' Gillis said. "I had a good talk with Zap and it was all very positive. We are happy with a one-year deal but with an important match coming up, I'd thought I'd wait until afterthe game to talk the offer through with Luke.''
The Sharks have always wanted to retain the New Zealand international, but his emergence as one of the form wingers in the NRL translated to salary-cap pressure on the club's 2009 plans.
Cronulla have already spent up big, attracting internationals Trent Barrett and Anthony Tupou and leaving little room to move.
With Covell staying put, it is now inevitable that fellow winger Misi Taulapapa will be joining Bryson Goodwin elsewhere next season.
The Daily Telegraph understands Penrith have already expressed interest in Taulapapa, another unlikely 2008 success story at the Sharks. Goodwin signed with the Bulldogs several months ago.
Cronulla head into tonight's final premiership game needing a minor miracle to deliver the club's first minor premiership since 1999.
As well as victory over the lowly Cowboys, the Sharks need both Manly and Melbourne to stumble against Penrith and Souths respectively because of their inferior points difference.
Shame to lose Misi. Why not Simmo instead?
THE Sharks have received a major boost on the eve of the finals, with point-scoring machine Luke Covell about to sign a new one-year deal. While Covell's unlikely rise to NRL top scorer doubles as one of this season's feel-good stories, his protracted contract talks have given Sharks fans a headache during an otherwise positive season.
But The Daily Telegraph can reveal Covell is poised to sign a new deal in coming days after fruitful talks between his management and Sharks officials.
The 26-year-old winger's agent Steve Gillis met with Cronulla CEO Tony Zappia on Thursday to finalise the deal, which will tie up the winger for a further season.
Preparations for tonight's clash against North Queensland at Toyota Park prevented Covell from agreeing to terms yesterday. He will re-sign Monday.
Gillis said Covell had attracted interest from rugby clubs and the UK Super League but had always expressed a desire to remain with the Sharks.
"His family lives in the area and he doesn't want to move away,'' Gillis said. "I had a good talk with Zap and it was all very positive. We are happy with a one-year deal but with an important match coming up, I'd thought I'd wait until afterthe game to talk the offer through with Luke.''
The Sharks have always wanted to retain the New Zealand international, but his emergence as one of the form wingers in the NRL translated to salary-cap pressure on the club's 2009 plans.
Cronulla have already spent up big, attracting internationals Trent Barrett and Anthony Tupou and leaving little room to move.
With Covell staying put, it is now inevitable that fellow winger Misi Taulapapa will be joining Bryson Goodwin elsewhere next season.
The Daily Telegraph understands Penrith have already expressed interest in Taulapapa, another unlikely 2008 success story at the Sharks. Goodwin signed with the Bulldogs several months ago.
Cronulla head into tonight's final premiership game needing a minor miracle to deliver the club's first minor premiership since 1999.
As well as victory over the lowly Cowboys, the Sharks need both Manly and Melbourne to stumble against Penrith and Souths respectively because of their inferior points difference.
Shame to lose Misi. Why not Simmo instead?
