Cronulla Sharks want to bring Brett Kimmorley back for one last hurrah
By Stuart Honeysett and Margie McDonald
July 26, 2010 Brett Kimmorley has said he expects to make a career decision this week after his former club Cronulla indicated it was interested in luring him back for one last hurrah.
The 33-year-old former Australia halfback has been weighing up his future for months and is torn between playing for another club or retiring and taking up a coaching role with Canterbury-Bankstown.
"Hopefully, it will all be sorted this week," Kimmorley said.
"I haven't made my mind up but I have to make a decision and it's something I want to end sooner rather than later.
"I think I'll be more comfortable once I make a decision and you guys will find out once I make it."
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said on ABC radio that he intended to sound out Kimmorley this week about the possibility of him returning to the Sutherland Shire for 2011. Kimmorley spent seven seasons with the Sharks from 2002-08, but his final year was marked by a fractured relationship with former coach Ricky Stuart.
The pair never fully recovered from the 2005 State of Origin series when then NSW coach Stuart dumped Kimmorley as his halfback for costing the Blues Game I.
Kimmorley guided the Sharks to a preliminary final in 2008, but was released early from his contract so the Sharks could sign Trent Barrett upon his return from English club Wigan.
Given Stuart has left Cronulla and Barrett has announced his retirement, Flanagan is hoping he can lure Kimmorley back to add experience in the halves.
The Sharks have used Scott Porter and Tim Smith with limited success this season and have recently signed Penrith five-eighth Wade Graham for next year.
"I have considered Brett Kimmorley and I'm going to have a chat with him over the next couple of days and just see where Brett's at and see if he wants to play again," Flanagan said.
"I've got some good forwards but if I haven't got any halves, I'm wasting my time."
The Bulldogs are keen for Kimmorley to remain at the club but only if he moves into a coaching role as they have young halves in Ben Barba, Trent Hodkinson and Kris Keating for 2011.
In other news, Newcastle Knights year could be about to go from bad to worse as five-eighth Ben Rogers (ankle) and winger James McManus (medial ligament) are in danger of missing the rest of the season through injury.
North Queensland Cowboys have hooker Aaron Payne (ankle) and prop Matt Scott (neck) in doubt for Friday night's game against Penrith.
