Broncos poised to pinch Panther
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21751278-23214,00.html
Peter Wallace, hero of the Panthers' comeback 29-28 win over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in March, has been earmarked as a "player of interest" by the premier.
Wallace is off contract at the end of the season and his name has featured in discussions between senior Broncos officials.
His manager Allan Gainey said talks had started with Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett. "He's (Wallace) interested for sure," Gainey said.
"We're in the early stages at this time. There is nothing definite.
"Penrith are keen to retain him. There's also some interest there from Gold Coast. He's keen to talk to Brisbane and his own club."
Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen said the club was yet to decide whether it would look externally for help at halfback.
However, it appears to have precious few internal options.
Despite winning the premiership last year, the Broncos have struggled to find a player capable of complementing captain and five-eighth Darren Lockyer.
Shane Perry filled the role for most of last year but has fallen out of favour, although he will partner Joel Moon on Monday against Manly at Brookvale Oval as Lockyer is on Origin duty.
Moon has also spent time at halfback while Bennett has experimented with Lockyer in the position.
"We were made aware last week that he (Wallace) was a player ... that we may be able to get," Cullen said.
"We're working on our options at the moment and seeing who's off contract and who's not.
"He's a player of interest but we haven't made an official approach to him."
A Penrith junior, Wallace was earmarked for first grade last season but seriously injured a knee in the pre-season.
He has played all of the Panthers' nine games this year, cementing a place in first grade despite the lacklustre form shown by the club.
"He's got a great kicking game," Gainey said. "It would probably take a bit of pressure off (Lockyer).
"He's spoken to (Bennett) once and I think they're going to have another chat.
"Then we're going to work out whether we fly up there ... or whether he comes down."
Meanwhile, Penrith has opened talks with Wallace's team-mate Joel Clinton, who is expected to stay at the Panthers. With Clinton staying at Penrith and NSW prop Brett White close to remaining with Melbourne, St George Illawarra's Jason Ryles is the highest-profile front-rower on the open market.
Speculation has Ryles leaving the Dragons at the end of the season for either English club Leeds or the Dragons' NRL rival Newcastle.
As revealed in The Australian last month, the Knights have money to spend following the retirement of Andrew Johns, and Ryles is at the top of their hit-list.
However, the former NSW and Australia prop has shown significant interest in joining former team-mate Trent Barrett in England.
Leeds is thought to be the most likely destination, although Ryles has been linked to Wigan.
His possible exit has led St George Illawarra to inquire about Manly backrower Anthony Watmough, who is off contract at the end of the season.
"Choc (Watmough) is a priority for the club, a local junior," Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said. "We want to keep him."
Another potential Newcastle target, Manly winger Chris Hicks, could also be bound for England after receiving interest from Warrington, Hull Kingston Rovers and Huddersfield.
Sorry for the long thread guys, Don't know how to link yet
Panthers are cashed up. I would like to see Wallace retained
Maybe Panthers are considering Firman. time will tell
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21751278-23214,00.html
- <LI class=byline>Brent Read
- May 18, 2007
Peter Wallace, hero of the Panthers' comeback 29-28 win over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in March, has been earmarked as a "player of interest" by the premier.
Wallace is off contract at the end of the season and his name has featured in discussions between senior Broncos officials.
His manager Allan Gainey said talks had started with Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett. "He's (Wallace) interested for sure," Gainey said.
"We're in the early stages at this time. There is nothing definite.
"Penrith are keen to retain him. There's also some interest there from Gold Coast. He's keen to talk to Brisbane and his own club."
Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen said the club was yet to decide whether it would look externally for help at halfback.
However, it appears to have precious few internal options.
Despite winning the premiership last year, the Broncos have struggled to find a player capable of complementing captain and five-eighth Darren Lockyer.
Shane Perry filled the role for most of last year but has fallen out of favour, although he will partner Joel Moon on Monday against Manly at Brookvale Oval as Lockyer is on Origin duty.
Moon has also spent time at halfback while Bennett has experimented with Lockyer in the position.
"We were made aware last week that he (Wallace) was a player ... that we may be able to get," Cullen said.
"We're working on our options at the moment and seeing who's off contract and who's not.
"He's a player of interest but we haven't made an official approach to him."
A Penrith junior, Wallace was earmarked for first grade last season but seriously injured a knee in the pre-season.
He has played all of the Panthers' nine games this year, cementing a place in first grade despite the lacklustre form shown by the club.
"He's got a great kicking game," Gainey said. "It would probably take a bit of pressure off (Lockyer).
"He's spoken to (Bennett) once and I think they're going to have another chat.
"Then we're going to work out whether we fly up there ... or whether he comes down."
Meanwhile, Penrith has opened talks with Wallace's team-mate Joel Clinton, who is expected to stay at the Panthers. With Clinton staying at Penrith and NSW prop Brett White close to remaining with Melbourne, St George Illawarra's Jason Ryles is the highest-profile front-rower on the open market.
Speculation has Ryles leaving the Dragons at the end of the season for either English club Leeds or the Dragons' NRL rival Newcastle.
As revealed in The Australian last month, the Knights have money to spend following the retirement of Andrew Johns, and Ryles is at the top of their hit-list.
However, the former NSW and Australia prop has shown significant interest in joining former team-mate Trent Barrett in England.
Leeds is thought to be the most likely destination, although Ryles has been linked to Wigan.
His possible exit has led St George Illawarra to inquire about Manly backrower Anthony Watmough, who is off contract at the end of the season.
"Choc (Watmough) is a priority for the club, a local junior," Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said. "We want to keep him."
Another potential Newcastle target, Manly winger Chris Hicks, could also be bound for England after receiving interest from Warrington, Hull Kingston Rovers and Huddersfield.
Sorry for the long thread guys, Don't know how to link yet
Panthers are cashed up. I would like to see Wallace retained
Maybe Panthers are considering Firman. time will tell
