Official thread and signing news
Storm, Dragons, Roosters, Canberra and Warriors are fighting for Kevin Proctor signature
HE is the Gold Coast junior who has become the most sought-after forward in the NRL.
In a blow to Melbourne, Kiwi Test star Kevin Proctor is set to quit Storm as he mulls over a $1.5 million bid from the Roosters to replace rugby-bound Sonny Bill Williams.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy is keen to retain Proctor, but salary cap pressures have left Melbourne hamstrung in a bidding war for the Palm Beach Currumbin product.
Five clubs are fighting for Proctor’s signature — the Storm, Dragons, Roosters, Canberra and Warriors.
Proctor flew to Sydney last Wednesday for talks with Roosters coach Trent Robinson and is scheduled to meet Warriors and Raiders officials this week.
A sixth NRL club, Penrith, is also weighing up whether to make a formal offer for the player the Roosters have earmarked to fill the impending SBW void.
Proctor’s manager Chris Orr met Storm powerbrokers on Thursday, giving the club last right to his services.
But the Roosters are favourites to snare the 25-year-old on a three-year deal worth $500,000 a year.
The Titans had also expressed interest in luring Proctor back to the Gold Coast, but dropped out when the Roosters and Dragons tabled lucrative deals.
Orr was reluctant to discuss the forward’s future at Melbourne but confirmed a decision is imminent.
“It will be unfortunate if Kevin has to leave the system, but Melbourne understand he’s in high demand and they can’t keep everyone under the salary cap,” Orr said.
“There has been a high level of interest in Kevin, nearly every club has called about him.
"Once we have worked our way through the process we will sit down with the Storm and discuss their position on Kevin.
“The Roosters are looking at a right-edge back-rower, which is where Sonny Bill plays, and that’s what Kevin is, so it makes sense to look at him.
“If it’s possible, he will stay at Melbourne, but if the salary cap beats them, Kev’s at an age where he’s about to start a family and needs to look after himself.”
A veteran of 112 NRL games, the 195cm back-rower has travelled a winding road to Melbourne.
Born in New Zealand, Proctor shifted to Perth with his family as a child and played AFL and rugby union until the age of 11.
But after moving to the Gold Coast, Proctor found his niche in league and was snapped up at 15 by former Storm recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan, now at the Roosters.
New Zealand selector Tawera Nikau, who won a premiership at the Storm in 1999, is not surprised by the NRL clubs lining up to snare Proctor.
“He’s done really well for the Storm,” Nikau said.
“He’s been in the mix for the Kiwi squad the past few years.
“He definitely has ability.
"He’s one of those guys who can play on the edge and push up in the middle too.
"He is very consistent, no fuss and rarely puts a foot wrong.”
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/storm- ... 6897554269
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$500K!?? Wow... We should not be matching that.
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Bourbon Rat
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Whistleblowers on Sydney clubs - Don't make me laugh - They get paid off or shipped off !
Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake - WC Fields
Or as giddyup said.. we have no need to investigate any other teams....
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Michael :P
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Craig has the blinkers on when it comes to some players. No matter what Avuaa was doing in Nsw cup he was never going to jump above Fonua or O'Neil in the pecking orderScooter wrote:It is interesting that we are now reportedly chasing Inu when we could have filled the hole in the centres by just re-signing Kirisome Auva'a at the end of last season. He is going well at Souths.
that's just bizarre, no disrespect intended to Hoffy, but, he's the wrong side of 30 and not a world beater, it's a big amount to throw at him.sallymay wrote:Apparently the warriors are throwing millions to lure Hoffy to Auckland ...I can't see him playing there but maybe it might happen
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Storm Spirit
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Must be Josh Hoffman...sallymay wrote:Apparently the warriors are throwing millions to lure Hoffy to Auckland ...I can't see him playing there but maybe it might happen
Not our Hoffy...??
Love Hoffy and all he stands for with Storm....but millions for him to go to the Warriors.
Someone's 'aving a larf.....surely...
Remember this day, men, for it will be yours for all time
The report said "massive offer" not millions. From a footy pov Hoffman can go, his time as a good player is up. If we kept him it would only be because he's a great servant to the club which isn't really a good reason to keep him.