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Daily Telegraph reports:
CRONULLA are poised to offer Test star Phil Bailey a $650,000 three-year deal to stay a Shark.
But Manly have emerged as another club interested in luring Bailey away from the Shire as negotiations intensify for the Australian centre.
Sharks general manager Steve Rogers last night indicated he was confident of retaining Bailey despite news Manly had expressed interest this week.
"Phil's keen to stay if we can come to an agreement so hopefully we can sort something out soon," Rogers said.
"I know Phil's pretty happy here. He's established himself well and gone on to represent at state and Test level from Cronulla."
While Bailey was upset with the way Chris Anderson was sacked by the Sharks board, he yesterday gave the strongest indication yet he would stay at Cronulla.
But he has not ruled out a return to the northern peninsula to link with Manly, the club where he spent the first seven years of his career.
"I'm really happy at Cronulla and I think we're a good side that can really give things a shake next season," Bailey said. "We've bought well and there's a good mix of young blokes who got a taste of first grade last year and some older heads.
"But I'll still definitely listen to what everyone has to say. I don't want to burn any bridges as far as other options are concerned.
"Manly look like they are going to be a really good club now that they're back on their feet.
"It would probably be easier because I started my footy at Manly so I know a lot of the administration staff and players there."
Manly football manager Peter Peters met with Bailey's manager George Mimis on Tuesday, when the Eagles expressed their interest in Bailey.
St George Illawarra are also interested in the Test centre pending the outcome of negotiations with the Sharks over the next fortnight.
Cronulla general manager Rogers was in the midst of negotiating an upgraded contract for Bailey before the departure of coach Chris Anderson.
All talks were then put on hold but are due to begin again today.
"It's a bit like the June 30 deadline has come early for me so I'd be silly not to listen to everyone," Bailey said.
Bailey's current deal with the Sharks is until the end of the 2004 but Cronulla plan to offer him a further two-year extension.
Bailey had foot surgery earlier in the week and was released from hospital yesterday. He had a screw inserted in his foot and will be on crutches for the next fortnight.
THE NRL has ruled out salary cap changes for next season but not for 2005. The NRL plans to monitor the impact of the poker machine tax on clubs before considering a small increase in the cap in 2005.
The issue was raised at the NRL's annual conference in Coogee yesterday, attended by all 15 club chief executives.
"We've certainly talked about it but there won't be changes to the cap for 2004," Gallop said.
"We are still looking at 2005 but there is a concern we need to be in a position for the clubs to be able to afford an increase.
"And there's a bit of nervousness about that at the moment.
"It wouldn't be a huge increase if there was to be an increase. It's difficult at the moment because there is some uncertainty about just how big an impact the poker machine tax will have."
CRONULLA are poised to offer Test star Phil Bailey a $650,000 three-year deal to stay a Shark.
But Manly have emerged as another club interested in luring Bailey away from the Shire as negotiations intensify for the Australian centre.
Sharks general manager Steve Rogers last night indicated he was confident of retaining Bailey despite news Manly had expressed interest this week.
"Phil's keen to stay if we can come to an agreement so hopefully we can sort something out soon," Rogers said.
"I know Phil's pretty happy here. He's established himself well and gone on to represent at state and Test level from Cronulla."
While Bailey was upset with the way Chris Anderson was sacked by the Sharks board, he yesterday gave the strongest indication yet he would stay at Cronulla.
But he has not ruled out a return to the northern peninsula to link with Manly, the club where he spent the first seven years of his career.
"I'm really happy at Cronulla and I think we're a good side that can really give things a shake next season," Bailey said. "We've bought well and there's a good mix of young blokes who got a taste of first grade last year and some older heads.
"But I'll still definitely listen to what everyone has to say. I don't want to burn any bridges as far as other options are concerned.
"Manly look like they are going to be a really good club now that they're back on their feet.
"It would probably be easier because I started my footy at Manly so I know a lot of the administration staff and players there."
Manly football manager Peter Peters met with Bailey's manager George Mimis on Tuesday, when the Eagles expressed their interest in Bailey.
St George Illawarra are also interested in the Test centre pending the outcome of negotiations with the Sharks over the next fortnight.
Cronulla general manager Rogers was in the midst of negotiating an upgraded contract for Bailey before the departure of coach Chris Anderson.
All talks were then put on hold but are due to begin again today.
"It's a bit like the June 30 deadline has come early for me so I'd be silly not to listen to everyone," Bailey said.
Bailey's current deal with the Sharks is until the end of the 2004 but Cronulla plan to offer him a further two-year extension.
Bailey had foot surgery earlier in the week and was released from hospital yesterday. He had a screw inserted in his foot and will be on crutches for the next fortnight.
THE NRL has ruled out salary cap changes for next season but not for 2005. The NRL plans to monitor the impact of the poker machine tax on clubs before considering a small increase in the cap in 2005.
The issue was raised at the NRL's annual conference in Coogee yesterday, attended by all 15 club chief executives.
"We've certainly talked about it but there won't be changes to the cap for 2004," Gallop said.
"We are still looking at 2005 but there is a concern we need to be in a position for the clubs to be able to afford an increase.
"And there's a bit of nervousness about that at the moment.
"It wouldn't be a huge increase if there was to be an increase. It's difficult at the moment because there is some uncertainty about just how big an impact the poker machine tax will have."
