Brisbane Broncos try to lure ex-Dragon Trent Merrin
Feb. 19, 2015, 8:03 p.m.
RUGBY LEAGUE
The Brisbane Broncos have launched a last minute bid to lure Trent Merrin to the club to play under former coach Wayne Bennett next season.
Fairfax Media revealed on Wednesday that Merrin had closed the door on any chance of remaining at St George Illawarra next season, with Penrith the frontrunners to sign the NSW Origin forward.
While the Panthers remain in the box seat, it is understood the Broncos, who were one of the first clubs to show initial interest in Merrin, have made another play at the 25-year-old.
Merrin spent the week with Bennett in camp on the Gold Coast for the NRL All Stars match, believed to have held discussions with the Broncos coach about reuniting at his new club.
His manager Wayne Beavis told Fairfax Media that Merrin "won't be at the Dragons next year", but a decision on his future isn't expected until he returns from the World Club Series next week.
The time difference between Australia and Britain will limit the amount of contact Merrin will have with his manager and Panthers this week.
However given the Broncos are also in the United Kingdom, Bennett and the club have ample opportunity to try and convince Merrin to move to Queensland next year.
If Merrin, who would prefer to continue living by the beach, decided to sign with the Panthers, he would have to travel 90 minutes each way from Shellharbour to the foot of the mountains every day.
If Merrin, who is going out with surfer Sally Fitzgibbons, decided to move north, it would be a much shorter trip from the beaches of the Gold Coast to training in Brisbane.
Merrin recently visited the New Zealand Warriors' facilities but given they've turned their attention to enticing Jason Taumalolo back across the ditch, it's a strong indication Merrin won't be leaving Australian shores.
The Dragons had expressed interest in Taumalolo, but given the multi-million dollar deals on offer at other clubs, they were never in contention given their salary cap position.
The Cronulla Sharks, who are also interested in Taumalolo, expressed interest in Merrin, but the Panthers appear to be the favourites to land Merrin's signature despite Bennett's best efforts.
Bennett handed Merrin his debut at the Dragons back in 2009, going on to play a small part in the club's premiership triumph the following year.
Beavis said on Wednesday the 25-year-old was still weighing up three options for next year and beyond, with all offers now on the table for Merrin to make a decision on where he wants to play when he returns from the World Club Series.
"It means he's in England now, so when he gets back he will look at his options." .
Merrin is the second Dragons junior to announce he is leaving the club in the past six months after fellow 2010-premiership winner Brett Morris was released to join his brother Josh at Canterbury this season.
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2895305/broncos-relaunch-play-for-trent-merrin/?cs=302
