Broncos chief Andrew Gee waters down talk on Johnathan Thurston
BRISBANE recruitment chief Andrew Gee has backed under-fire halves Peter Wallace and Corey Norman amid speculation the Broncos are set to make a big-money bid for Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
Rumours sweeping league circles suggest the Broncos are procuring the funds to lure Thurston, who said a fortnight ago he will weigh-up "all offers" when his current deal with the Cowboys expires at the end of 2013.
Gee last month described the form of Wallace and Norman as "terrible", sparking speculation the Broncos could look to Thurston's match-winning brilliance to bolster their scrumbase in 2014.
But salary cap pressures could hamper any purported bid for Thurston, with the Broncos facing an outlay of around $1 million a season to have any hope of luring the Maroons ace to Brisbane.
While acknowledging Thurston's rare ability, Gee said the Broncos had not lost faith in Norman and Wallace, who are signed until the end of 2013 and 2014 respectively.
"We are happy with what we've got," Gee said last night. "Apparently we have a slush fund ready and waiting (to sign Thurston), but can someone tell me where it is?"
"He (Thurston) would command a lot under the salary cap and we are chock-a-block anyway."
Thurston's future in Townsville may be uncertain, but Cowboys young gun Michael Morgan is determined to establish a long-term union with the Test playmaker.
The 20-year-old overshadowed Thurston in last week's 52-12 mauling of the Warriors. He posted six tackle busts, two try-assists, two linebreaks and 118m from seven runs - headlined by his 30m burst for Ash Graham's 19th-minute try that left the Warriors floundering at 22-0.
Ray Thompson began the season in the No.7 jumper but with the 22-year-old battling a shoulder injury, Morgan wants to be Thurston's regular scrumbase partner.
"Definitely. At the start of the year it was a bit hard, the team was going well and winning so I couldn't be unhappy with not being picked, but I'm glad once I got my opportunity I took it," Morgan said.
"I had fun, it was a good game to be a part of.
"Thursto doesn't stop talking during the game, when there's a stoppage he'll have a word and tell us what we have to do.
"He's helped me a lot this year."
Retiring Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne said Morgan had natural footballing instincts that can't be coached.
"Morgs reacts well to stuff, he knows what is happening, he can pre-empt stuff - and that's what makes a good footballer," Payne said.
