http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...on-cronulla-deal/story-e6frexnr-1225897172149
AFTER missing out on Michael Gordon yesterday, Cronulla are set to receive some consolation with Panthers wing partner Brad Tighe close to joining the Sharks.
One attraction for Tighe to make the move south is the fact his cousin - speedster Isaac Gordon - also plays wing for Cronulla.
Penrith's slim chance of retaining Tighe will depend on how much money is left over from Frank Pritchard's new deal.
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DESPITE being officially warned off by Melbourne, Parramatta suits are still making plenty of noise about poaching Cooper Cronk for next season.
We've heard Eels boss Paul Osborne has ignored the Storm's terse reminder to desist from negotiations with Cronk, who is contracted to Melbourne for another three years.
It's understood Osborne has continued talks with Cronk's management, who are no doubt captivated by the extra commission they could earn from the Eels' $500,000-a-year offer - a handsome hike from the halfback's current $350,000 salary.
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Melbourne, however, will not release Cronk under any circumstances - and we're also told he's got no intention of quitting the besieged Storm in their hour of need.
The Eels were supremely confident of persuading Trent Barrett to defer his retirement last week - and were wrong-footed. Should the same scenario repeat with Cronk, Brett Kimmorley could again come into calculations - particularly given Osborne met the veteran's agent, George Mimis, yesterday afternoon.
Kimmorley was expected to announce his future yesterday, but it's now understood that a decision won't be made for another week.
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BIG-HEARTED Eels prop Justin Poore is back on the Rwanda trail, organising a harbour cruise to raise money for the country's genocide orphans.
Poore will host the charity event on Wednesday night, 18 August, and has already locked in Aussie diva Christine Anu to perform.
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IN OTHER signing news, Manly's Steve Matai is being chased by no fewer than four clubs. Off contract at the end of the year, the Kiwi Test centre has fielded interest from the Warriors, the Bulldogs, the Sharks and the Eels. With a rap sheet as long as the Sharks' premiership drought, the UK is not an option for the firebrand who would have little chance of securing a work visa.
