Parramatta's plans to replace Jarryd Hayne with Cronulla fullback Michael Gordon have been scuppered at the last minute after the Sharks backflipped on the mid-season transfer.
The Eels have struggled to fill the void left by the departure of Hayne to the NFL and have been scouring the market for a No.1 before the June 30 deadline. They thought they had their man in Gordon, who is off contract at the end of the season and yet to receive an offer to extend his stay in the Sutherland Shire.
The Sharks were also poised to release Blake Ayshford to St George Illawarra and Sam Tagataese to the Roosters to relieve salary cap pressures. All of the mid-season transfers were agreed to in-principle and Gordon was even on his way to Eels training last week in the hope of getting the paperwork done in time for Sunday's clash with Melbourne at Pirtek Stadium.
However, it's understood Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman blocked the moves at the last moment, leaving the players and clubs in limbo.
The Eels have tried William Hopoate at fullback but the NSW three-quarter struggled to make the expected impact and the move was aborted. In recent weeks, Reece Robinson has moved from the wing to the custodian position, but he is seen only as a stop-gap option. Parramatta officials have high hopes for NYC fullback Bevan French, believing he will be the long-term replacement for Hayne. However, they believe it may be too early to pitch him into first grade and would like an experienced campaigner such as Gordon to mentor him and assist with the transition. Gordon, a former NSW representative who didn't play on the weekend citing a shoulder injury, was poised to accept an offer which would have covered this year and next.
The Sharks and Eels had previously come to a similar arrangement last with Isaac De Gois, who was struggling for game time behind hookers John Morris and Michael Lichaa. The mid-season transfer allowed De Gois to cover for Nathan Peats, who suffered a season-ending injury.
Gordon has been a solid contributor for the Sharks since switching from Penrith in 2013 but has been struggling to get game time in his preferred position of fullback since the arrival of Ben Barba and the emergence of Valentine Holmes. Mitch Brown replaced him for the clash against the Warriors. Gordon is believed to be furious with Cronulla's about-face.
Gorman, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan and Eels CEO Scott Seward weren't available for comment.
The Dragons were looking to bolster their three-quarter stocks after Dane Nielsen was punted for an alcohol-fuelled incident and had earmarked Ayshford as their target. The Roosters were also hoping to add Tagataese to their roster but that move also appears in jeopardy unless there is a change of heart from Sharks management.
The Sharks are in the market for a half and have been linked to Roosters playmakers James Maloney and Jackson Hastings.
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I don't like the part about Gorman getting involved, but then again sounds like some shit is starting to go down. WHere theres smoke.. FFS get Ayshford out of here.
