Dynamic Gidley top of Tigers' wish list
PETER BADEL
23 April 2006
Sunday Mail, The
WESTS Tigers are gunning for Newcastle attacking dynamo Kurt Gidley as they intensify their search for a replacement for departing halfback Scott Prince.
After months of speculation about Prince's possible successor, the premiers have hatched plans to snare Gidley, who remains a free agent for next year.
The Tigers have identified several candidates for the No.7 jumper, including Roosters rookie Jamie Soward, Dragon Mathew Head and Parramatta utility John Morris.
But Gidley is the top target, with Tigers recruitment chief Warren McDonnell confirming he contacted Gidley's manager Darryl Mather a fortnight ago.
"We've made an expression of interest in Kurt," McDonnell said.
"We're looking for a halfback with a kicking game, a football brain and a bit of pace.
"Kurt is a very good player. I have a list of halfbacks available and Kurt is one guy coming off contract at the end of this season."
Gidley's signing would be a massive coup for the Tigers.
The 23-year-old was NSW's 18th man for the 2004 Origin series and is often touted as Andrew Johns's successor at Newcastle.
Should the Tigers succeed in luring Gidley, he would form a devastating scrumbase combination with five-eighth Benji Marshall.
The Knights are favourites to snare Gidley's signature, but the Country Origin representative has not ruled out testing his value on the open market.
"I've never been on the open market before so it's nice to know there's some interest," Gidley said.
"I've grown up in Newcastle, my brother's here, so obviously they are my first preference.
"But I'm in no rush (to re-sign). I don't want to say too much, I'm leaving everything up to my manager."
Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons said the joint venture needed an established playmaker to replace Prince, who will join the Gold Coast next season.
"Unless you have a superstar coming through you have to go to the open market to replace a bloke like Princey," Simmons said.
"Kurt is a very talented player, there's no doubt about that.
"He's played in Newcastle with a lot of grand final players and internationals around him and he's slowly got better and better.
"He's had a great education from (Knights coach) Michael Hagan and Andrew Johns."
