17 September 2006
The Sunday Telegraph
Tim Sheens last night admitted Wests Tigers might be interested in taking Brett Kimmorley off Cronulla's hands -- but only at the right price.
The Sharks halfback is a close friend of coach Chris Anderson, whose signing to the Roosters on Friday led to immediate speculation Kimmorley might be headed to Bondi Junction.
Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan ruled that out. But Sheens refused to "confirm or deny" interest in Kimmorley, although he imagined the cost would be "prohibitive".
But Sheens said: "As far as whether we're interested in [the former Test half], I would neither confirm nor deny it at this stage.
"Anyone would be interested in a player like him but I would imagine the cost would be prohibitive. We're interested in any quality player, but ..."
Insiders say that while Kimmorley is popular in the shire and highly regarded as a player, his $425,000 annual fee is seen as the ticket to funding the cleanout many are pushing for.
Even if the Sharks contributed to a Kimmorley contract at the Tigers, the money saved would help them sign Ricky Stuart as coach and upgrade the contract of NSW lock Paul Gallen, who has asked for a release.
But when asked if there was any prospect of the playmaker not being at the club next season, Cronulla chief executive Greg Pierce said: "No."
"This is the sixth or seventh call I've received on this issue and the only people saying it are the media. Neither Brett nor his manager has come to me."