ST GEORGE Illawarra have put the annual player transfer merry-go-round in a spin by making a play for Panthers star Tony Puletua. One of the few clubs with room still left under their 2008 salary cap, the Dragons this week made inquiries about Puletua's desire to leave Penrith immediately.
Although the Kiwi international is contracted to the Panthers until the end of next season, he has not produced his best football at the foot of the mountains for some time.
The Dragons, meanwhile, are seeking a replacement player to fill their NRL squad following the retirement of back-up hooker Tony Caine last week.
Caine's decision to temporarily quit rugby league because of an ongoing leg injury has given the Dragons extra breathing space, although not nearly enough to cover Puletua's $400,000-a-year salary at Penrith.
Nevertheless, senior figures at St George Illawarra made an overture to Penrith officials in the hope of seeing Puletua in the Red V within the next few weeks.
With coach Nathan Brown battling to keep his job, the Dragons have already suffered a blow to their second-row stocks after it was confirmed Ben Creagh will miss up to six weeks because of a hamstring tear.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Dragons' approach was very low-key, and preliminary talks have not progressed far beyond the coaching ranks of both clubs.
A source close to the negotiations said: "An overture was made this week. I don't think too many people at either club know about it yet.''
Dragons CEO Peter Doust declined to comment when asked if the joint venture wanted Puletua on board. "I've got no comment to make on that,'' Doust said.
"We do have some space under the salary cap, but not a lot in the short term. We did have a player retire this week, but I'm not sure who would fit in at the moment. They are issues we need to look at and talk about. At this stage, it's head down a... up.''
Puletua was one of the victims of Penrith's 48-12 opening-round loss to Brisbane - dropped to the bench for tomorrow night's clash against Canberra.
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23409595-5006066,00.html
Although the Kiwi international is contracted to the Panthers until the end of next season, he has not produced his best football at the foot of the mountains for some time.
The Dragons, meanwhile, are seeking a replacement player to fill their NRL squad following the retirement of back-up hooker Tony Caine last week.
Caine's decision to temporarily quit rugby league because of an ongoing leg injury has given the Dragons extra breathing space, although not nearly enough to cover Puletua's $400,000-a-year salary at Penrith.
Nevertheless, senior figures at St George Illawarra made an overture to Penrith officials in the hope of seeing Puletua in the Red V within the next few weeks.
With coach Nathan Brown battling to keep his job, the Dragons have already suffered a blow to their second-row stocks after it was confirmed Ben Creagh will miss up to six weeks because of a hamstring tear.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Dragons' approach was very low-key, and preliminary talks have not progressed far beyond the coaching ranks of both clubs.
A source close to the negotiations said: "An overture was made this week. I don't think too many people at either club know about it yet.''
Dragons CEO Peter Doust declined to comment when asked if the joint venture wanted Puletua on board. "I've got no comment to make on that,'' Doust said.
"We do have some space under the salary cap, but not a lot in the short term. We did have a player retire this week, but I'm not sure who would fit in at the moment. They are issues we need to look at and talk about. At this stage, it's head down a... up.''
Puletua was one of the victims of Penrith's 48-12 opening-round loss to Brisbane - dropped to the bench for tomorrow night's clash against Canberra.
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23409595-5006066,00.html
