SOUTH Sydney playmaker Luke Keary is off-contract at the end of the year and Melbourne have earmarked him as their prime target should they lose Cooper Cronk.

Cronk is also unsigned for next season and while the halfback is expected to stay at the Storm, the club have launched a contingency plan for if he decides to leave.

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KEARY ‘PLAN B’ FOR STORM

Round 19

Luke Keary could find himself in Melbourne next season, according to Courier Mail reporter Peter Badel.

The Rabbitohs No.6 is yet to finalise his future and with Cronk yet to commit to the Storm next season, Craig Bellamy has identified Keary as the player he’ll target should the Test and Origin half choose to leave the club.

“My information is he’s on the radar of the Storm,” Badel said on NRL360.

“The Storm have a great regard for Cooper Cronk and they would love to keep him at the club but we know Cooper Cronk is a private guy, he’s doing everything possible to seal the most important deal of his life. Negotiations are complex and this could be his final deal.

“Melbourne have been kept in the darks somewhat — they have contingencies. They’re looking at Luke Keary.

“He’s asking for around $600,000 — whether Souths are willing to pay that, we’re still yet to find out.

“It’s a bit of a game of chess. I think both guys will stay at their clubs but if Cronk leaves don’t be surprised to see Keary in Storm colours next season.”

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ROOSTERS, PANTHERS, DRAGONS, SUPER LEAGUE CHASE COOTE

Lachlan Coote all smiles after a win. Source: News Corp Australia

Lachlan Coote is in career best form and a player in hot demand.

The 26-year-old fullback already has a bidding war for his signature among NRL clubs and now he’s attracted interest from overseas.

“Coote has had an approach to defect to the English Super League,” Badel said.

“The club involved is Hull KR. They’re struggling at the moment. They were pumped on the weekend and they see Lachlan Coote as the man that could preside over their resurrection.

“I don’t think he’ll go to England but he has four or five clubs in the NRL alone chasing him.

“Penrith, the Roosters, the Dragons will table formal offers this week in the next 48 hours.”

While Coote has made no secret of his desire to stay in Townsville, the Cowboys are faced with a tough challenge with rookie custodian Kalyn Ponga waiting in the wings.

Ponga is regarded as a future Test star which means if the Cowboys keep Coote, they could lose the hottest teenage prodigy in the process.

“The conundrum for the Cowboys is do they keep Coote at the risk of losing Kalyn Ponga,” Badel said.

“That’s the question they will have to answer in coming weeks.”

ROOSTERS GO OLD SCHOOL

Former Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello revealed the secret behind Dylan Napa’s incredible performance against South Sydney last weekend.

Minichiello said the theme of the week was ‘old school’ and the forward took the theme of the week to heart.

“I think Robbo and Dylan spoke about going 80 at some point throughout the year,” Minichiello said on NRL Tonight.

“He was feeling good and at halftime and said ‘I’m going 80’.”

GAME’S GONE SOFT

Cronulla backrower Luke Lewis will miss this weekend’s match due to suspension for a shoulder charge but Lewis believes his sidelining is a sign the game has gone backwards.

“The games gone a bit soft,” Lewis said on NRL Tonight.

“I don’t think (the shoulder charge) was that bad.

“Anyway, I’ve got a week off. I’ve got to sit back and watch it at home.”

WATMOUGH WAITS ON INSURANCE PAYOUT

Senior league reporter James Hooper told NRL Tonight that Parramatta are sweating on the ruling from the insurance company to learn whether Anthony Watmough’s contract will come off their salary cap next year.

Hooper broke the story earlier in the year that Watmough won’t play again this year thanks to a chronic knee condition.

The backrower hasn’t played a game for the Eels this year and Hooper said its due to a second knee issue which occurred in the pre-season.

“You can take it to the bank we won’t see Anthony Watmough back in an Eels jumper or the NRL again,” Hooper explained.

“At the start of the season Anthony underwent major surgery.

“He came back to training and he suffered a new injury.

“Already his knee was bone on bone so he had major issues surrounding it.

“It’s currently in the hands of an insurance company. If the Eels can guarantee it’s a new injury than Watmough’s contract for this year and the two after that all of a sudden that doesn’t come under the salary cap.

“Parramatta affectively free up $750,000 for next season and the year after.

“It’s in the hands of the insurance company at the moment. That’s what’s going on behind the scenes.”