With at least three clubs eager to make Capewell a fixture in their teams next season, the Sharks will be unable to offer anything close to the cash needed to keep the Origin prospect in the Sutherland Shire. "This year he has excelled and it's actually amazed me that he's still unsigned for next year," Townsend said. Kurt Capewell is on his way out of the Sharks. Credit:AAP "I think he will be an asset to any team he goes to and I would love him to stay here but I'm not sure what his go is. "He's told us he would love to stay but it's more about what the best decision is for him and his development.

"We have some pretty handy back-rowers here at the Sharks and Capes is definitely one of those. Loading "But his role here at the moment is just to come off the bench and play that utility role. "If he went to another team he could potentially start and hopefully his career will go up and up. You can't begrudge someone who wants to do that." Wade Graham has watched Capewell thrive this season in his injury-enforced absence. He couldn't be more impressed with the way his game has developed.

"Obviously it's pretty well publicised how tight our cap is with the sanctions and where we're sitting at the moment as a club but he's a great player, a quality player," Graham said. "He's versatile, he can play so many different positions and he plays those positions well. Wade Graham has missed a lot of games this season with injury, but adds another dimension to the Sharks. Credit:NRL Photos "He's a great clubman and he's been here for three years now. He has really fit in. "It would be tough to lose him but it's hard at the moment with the position that we're in as a club."

The position the Sharks are in has also forced the club to look at offloading veterans such as prop Matt Prior. The Eels are eyeing Prior's situation at the club with particular interest, though the man himself is giving little thought to whispers about his future. "I haven't really thought about it at all, to be honest. And I'm not really going to think about it," Prior said. "Whatever happens, happens and I will just deal with it as it comes. "There isn't much point in putting much thought into something where I don't really know what is going to happen. We'll just go from there.