http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26217256-5018866,00.html
NRL Premiership
Options ... Johnson is the key at the moment. Colleen Petch
Melbourne Storm star Dallas Johnson key to an NRL signing frenzy
By Brent Read
October 16, 2009
Melbourne Storm and Queensland forward Dallas Johnson is holidaying in Europe but a decision on whether he will move there full-time next season could have ramifications for as many as six clubs in the NRL.
The Australian is of the understanding French club Catalans Dragons has targeted Johnson as a long-term replacement for Jason Ryles, who will join Sydney Roosters in 2010.
Although the Maroons lock has another year remaining on his deal with the Storm, he has an out-clause that enables him to take up offers from Super League clubs.
While Melbourne would be reluctant to lose a player who has been an integral part of its past four grand finals, the club has well-documented salary cap problems. Allowing Johnson to join Les Catalans would ease some of that pressure and help the club retain props Jeff Lima and Scott Anderson.
That could have implications for a host of clubs. Anderson is in the sights of both the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos, while Lima is a target for the Wests Tigers. If both stay at the Storm, all three will be forced to re-evaluate their targets.
The Tigers already have a back-up plan in place. Should Lima remain at the Storm, they could turn their attention to South Sydney's Jaiman Lowe or out-of-favour Brisbane prop Joel Clinton.
Clinton has another year remaining on his deal but is known to be unhappy after falling out of favour late in the season.
The Broncos would not stand in his way if he wanted to leave.
Johnson, who is in Europe with wife Mel, is yet to make a decision on his future. However, teammate Cameron Smith said he wouldn't be surprised if Johnson decided to take up the offer from Les Catalans.
"He has indicated to all the boys if he ever played for anyone else it would not be in Australia," Smith said.
"He would never play against the Storm. I think Dallas is happy with what he's achieved in his career.
"I think he's done more than what he thought he would. He's won four State of Origin series in a row; he's been in four grand finals and won two of them; he's played for Australia.
"He's done everything anyone could ever want out of the game. Dallas is a bit of an alternative sort of guy. I think he likes the travel scene. He just got married last year with his partner Mel and he wants to do a bit of travelling.
"Like I said, it would be a huge loss but I think Dallas has realised he's achieved what he wants to do in the NRL and he's moving on to the next part of his career."
Smith, in Kangaroos camp where he took part in a sponsorship announcement that will see the Australia side wear the Movember logo on their jerseys next month when they play France, acknowledged Johnson would be almost impossible to replace.
It would also leave a gaping hole in the Queensland side. Johnson has been one of the unsung heroes for the Maroons over the past four years, playing the past 12 games in succession. His presence has coincided with an unprecedented period of success for Queensland.
"Coming from a player's perspective it would be a huge loss for us," Smith said.
"It would help the club out given the cap constraints we have got and the pressure we are under there.
"He is vital part of our machine. He's a guy that doesn't get too many raps for his football but without him I am not too sure how our seasons would have gone over the last couple.
"His defence through the middle, his clean-up work ... we certainly notice ... to get a guy that's so selfless towards his team and teammates is pretty hard to find.
"We're the ones they come to to make us aware of it if we're going to lose players. That's the good thing about the club - they let us know what's going on so it's not a shock to us."
Either way it looks like we a certain to sign another PROP! whoo hoo
NRL Premiership
Melbourne Storm star Dallas Johnson key to an NRL signing frenzy
By Brent Read
October 16, 2009
Melbourne Storm and Queensland forward Dallas Johnson is holidaying in Europe but a decision on whether he will move there full-time next season could have ramifications for as many as six clubs in the NRL.
The Australian is of the understanding French club Catalans Dragons has targeted Johnson as a long-term replacement for Jason Ryles, who will join Sydney Roosters in 2010.
Although the Maroons lock has another year remaining on his deal with the Storm, he has an out-clause that enables him to take up offers from Super League clubs.
While Melbourne would be reluctant to lose a player who has been an integral part of its past four grand finals, the club has well-documented salary cap problems. Allowing Johnson to join Les Catalans would ease some of that pressure and help the club retain props Jeff Lima and Scott Anderson.
That could have implications for a host of clubs. Anderson is in the sights of both the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos, while Lima is a target for the Wests Tigers. If both stay at the Storm, all three will be forced to re-evaluate their targets.
The Tigers already have a back-up plan in place. Should Lima remain at the Storm, they could turn their attention to South Sydney's Jaiman Lowe or out-of-favour Brisbane prop Joel Clinton.
Clinton has another year remaining on his deal but is known to be unhappy after falling out of favour late in the season.
The Broncos would not stand in his way if he wanted to leave.
Johnson, who is in Europe with wife Mel, is yet to make a decision on his future. However, teammate Cameron Smith said he wouldn't be surprised if Johnson decided to take up the offer from Les Catalans.
"He has indicated to all the boys if he ever played for anyone else it would not be in Australia," Smith said.
"He would never play against the Storm. I think Dallas is happy with what he's achieved in his career.
"I think he's done more than what he thought he would. He's won four State of Origin series in a row; he's been in four grand finals and won two of them; he's played for Australia.
"He's done everything anyone could ever want out of the game. Dallas is a bit of an alternative sort of guy. I think he likes the travel scene. He just got married last year with his partner Mel and he wants to do a bit of travelling.
"Like I said, it would be a huge loss but I think Dallas has realised he's achieved what he wants to do in the NRL and he's moving on to the next part of his career."
Smith, in Kangaroos camp where he took part in a sponsorship announcement that will see the Australia side wear the Movember logo on their jerseys next month when they play France, acknowledged Johnson would be almost impossible to replace.
It would also leave a gaping hole in the Queensland side. Johnson has been one of the unsung heroes for the Maroons over the past four years, playing the past 12 games in succession. His presence has coincided with an unprecedented period of success for Queensland.
"Coming from a player's perspective it would be a huge loss for us," Smith said.
"It would help the club out given the cap constraints we have got and the pressure we are under there.
"He is vital part of our machine. He's a guy that doesn't get too many raps for his football but without him I am not too sure how our seasons would have gone over the last couple.
"His defence through the middle, his clean-up work ... we certainly notice ... to get a guy that's so selfless towards his team and teammates is pretty hard to find.
"We're the ones they come to to make us aware of it if we're going to lose players. That's the good thing about the club - they let us know what's going on so it's not a shock to us."
Either way it looks like we a certain to sign another PROP! whoo hoo
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