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http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19718524-23214,00.html
THE Sharks have emerged as the frontrunner to sign Josh Hannay only days after the North Queensland centre played a key role in the Maroons' State of Origin victory in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Hannay is yet to receive an offer from North Queensland, and Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr will meet coach Graham Murray over the weekend to discuss whether the goal-kicking centre remains part of their plans.
But they may have left their run too late, with Hannay and his manager, Jim Banaghan, scheduled to fly to Sydney today to hold talks with the Sharks.
Banaghan made it clear that the Sharks, who have also spoken to Parramatta centre Brett Delaney, were the favourites to sign Hannay.
The Sharks are desperate to recruit a quality centre after New Zealand international Nigel Vagana and youngster Beau Scott announced they would leave the club at the end of the year, to join South Sydney and St George-Illawarra respectively.
"We see a much more natural link with the Sharks as to how he plays," Banaghan said.
"They're the leaders at this moment. We're going to sit down with Stu Raper to see if it's going to be a natural marriage. If things work out correctly by Monday he will be a Shark."
Bulldogs forward Nate Myles and Hannay, along with Newcastle second rower Steve Simpson, are the highest-quality players remaining on the open market.
Hannay is the only representative centre yet to be snapped up. He has attracted interest from Gold Coast, which has signed 17 players for its inaugural season.
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Hannay's solid performance in Origin III, after almost missing the game with a viral infection, only enhanced his value.
"He is no doubt the leading outside back on the market," Banaghan said.
"He doesn't have to rush into anything."
