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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 ...
Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,19718524%255E23214,00.html
Origin hero poised to join Sharks
08-Jul-2006
AAP
CRONULLA has 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 goalkicking centre remains part of their plans. 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 Cronulla, which has also spoken to Parramatta centre Brett Delaney, was the favourite 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.
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."
Hannay's Queensland team-mate Myles has time on his side as well, although he told The Australian on Thursday that he was keen to make a decision on 2007 as soon as possible.
The Maroons forward has been advised by team-mates to re-sign with the Bulldogs but that looks unlikely, with the Belmore club using up most of its money under the salary cap.
Melbourne is the clear favourite despite the interest of a number of other clubs.
The Storm will hold talks with Myles and his manager early next week, as will the Sydney Roosters.
Gold Coast will announce the signing of another of Hannay's Cowboys team-mates, Gavin Cooper, within days.
The Titans have 17 players under lock and key for their inaugural season next year and Cooper shapes as a key recruit with his ability to play centre and back row.
Simpson's manager George Mimis will meet Newcastle today to discuss his client's future.
The NSW second-rower became a free agent when he played in Wednesday night's Origin decider in Melbourne - his sixth interstate game in the past two years.
That activated a clause in his contract which allowed him to negotiate a new deal.
"He's had lots of expressions of interest, probably half a dozen (clubs)," Mimis said.
"His key goal is to try to do a new deal with the Knights."
Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,19718524%255E23214,00.html
Origin hero poised to join Sharks
08-Jul-2006
AAP
CRONULLA has 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 goalkicking centre remains part of their plans. 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 Cronulla, which has also spoken to Parramatta centre Brett Delaney, was the favourite 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.
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."
Hannay's Queensland team-mate Myles has time on his side as well, although he told The Australian on Thursday that he was keen to make a decision on 2007 as soon as possible.
The Maroons forward has been advised by team-mates to re-sign with the Bulldogs but that looks unlikely, with the Belmore club using up most of its money under the salary cap.
Melbourne is the clear favourite despite the interest of a number of other clubs.
The Storm will hold talks with Myles and his manager early next week, as will the Sydney Roosters.
Gold Coast will announce the signing of another of Hannay's Cowboys team-mates, Gavin Cooper, within days.
The Titans have 17 players under lock and key for their inaugural season next year and Cooper shapes as a key recruit with his ability to play centre and back row.
Simpson's manager George Mimis will meet Newcastle today to discuss his client's future.
The NSW second-rower became a free agent when he played in Wednesday night's Origin decider in Melbourne - his sixth interstate game in the past two years.
That activated a clause in his contract which allowed him to negotiate a new deal.
"He's had lots of expressions of interest, probably half a dozen (clubs)," Mimis said.
"His key goal is to try to do a new deal with the Knights."
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