Nov 5th, 2018

Nov 5th, 2018

The Wests Tigers are attempting to fight off a bid by the Roosters to poach talented young halfback Luke Brooks.

The Roosters are already starting to think about life after Cooper Cronk - and have Tigers local junior Brooks firmly in their sights.

Brooks comes off contract at the end of next season and the Tigers want to extend him to ward off the Roosters’ interest. Brooks is a consistent performer with pace and the ability to read a game who at 23 is still learning and has his best football ahead of him.

He’s no Cronk - but there are few players in the NRL with the ability of the veteran halfback who helped steer the Roosters to the title this year.

Cronk is set to retire at the end of next season but he turns 35 next month and there are still whispers that he could hang up his boots now. If that is the case and the Roosters need an immediate replacement, they may look at Warriors number seven Shaun Johnson.

(aap)

DOGS EYE KNIGHTS NEWCOMER

Jesse Ramien hasn’t played a game for his new club Newcastle yet - and may never.

Wide World of Sports has learned that Canterbury are keen on Ramien, who had a breakout season for Cronulla this year, in a player swap for disgruntled prop David Klemmer.

The Bulldogs want more strike power out wide, especially after losing Moses Mbye and the Morris twins - and see Ramien as the answer to their problems.

Ramien scored 10 tries on 20 games for the Sharks this year and is one of the hottest young centre propsects in the league. The Knights are unwilling to make the swap at this stage - but if the Bulldogs continue to play hardball, they may change their stance.

(AAP)

BENNETT NO 'DOUBLE AGENT'

Wayne Bennett is renowned for playing mind games in the media - but I’ve learned that he is talking the truth in relation to the Trent Merrin saga.

The rumour mill went into overdrive last week when it was revealed that Bennett and Merrin had spoken about the big forward’s future.

There were allegations that Bennett was acting as a ’double agent’ - trying to secure Merrin for Souths, the team he will coach in 2020.

But I’ve learned that Merrin called Bennett - and not the other way around - looking for advice about his future.

The Panthers prop has a big offer from Leeds and is on the verge of signing it.

NRL coaching carousel continues

SOUTHS GET COACHING BOOST

Former Storm premiership-winning prop Ben Cross is set to join South Sydney’s coaching staff next season.

A hard man for the Storm in the 2000s, Cross coached South Newcastle last season and will replace David Furner on the Rabbitohs’ staff.

A close mate of Anthony Seibold, he is then expected to follow the Dally M Coach of the Year to the Broncos in 2020.

Former Bulldogs Test forward Andrew ‘Bobcat’ Ryan will replace Cross at South Newcastle.