GOLD Coast Suns are facing a battle to retain Karmichael Hunt after the Titans expressed interest in bringing the former Bronco back to the NRL.
Titans boss Graham Annesley said they have room in the salary cap to make a legitimate play for Hunt, who is off contract at the end of next season.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Hunt has been on the Titans' radar for months, with former chief executive David May first meeting with the three-code athlete's management in June.
Gold Coast Titans and Gold coast Suns at a one-off training session where the clubs traded tips on defence and ball skills. Karmichael Hunt and Nate Myles catch up. Pic Glenn Hampson Source: News Limited
Club sources say May made a preliminary approach with the blessing of Titans shareholder Michael Searle, who has previously snared big guns Jamal Idris, Nate Myles and Dave Taylor.
May resigned soon after registering interest in Hunt, but his departure has failed to temper the Titans' enthusiasm for one of the most accomplished athletes in Australian sport.
Social media speculation suggested Hunt had already signed a two-year contract with the Titans. Annesley insists that is not the case, but agrees the Titans could strike a major blow in the Gold Coast sporting turf war by luring Hunt from the Suns.
Gold Coast Suns training at Metricon Stadium, Carrara - Karmichael Hunt Source: News Limited
"Karmichael is not off contract until the end of next year but we would certainly be interested in someone of his quality,'' Annesley said.
"Our salary cap situation is tight for 2014, although it is a different ball game in 2015.
"We haven't had internal discussions, but we wouldn't immediately say no to someone like Karmichael.
"There is no rush, Karmichael has another year to go anyway, but we are as interested in him as any other NRL club.''
The push for Hunt to return to the NRL gathered momentum after his turbulent season with the Suns. The former Queensland Origin utility battled hamstring tendinitis and played only nine matches, well shy of the 34 he compiled in his first two seasons in AFL.
Gold Coast Suns training at Metricon Stadium, Carrara - Karmichael Hunt Source: News Limited
The Suns have no intention of losing Hunt and one impediment for NRL suitors could be his $1 million-plus AFL salary.
"A lot will come down to what we have available under the cap and the club's requirements going forward,'' Annesley said.
"But Karmichael is a huge star anywhere in Queensland and in southeast Queensland in particular because of what he has done in the AFL.
"There is no question he would be a massive drawcard for the Titans and rugby league.''
GC Suns players Karmichael Hunt and Gary Ablett. Source: News Limited
A fortnight ago, Brisbane centre Justin Hodges urged his good mate to make an NRL comeback with the Broncos. Hunt's manager David Riolo said the 26-year-old had given no indication he wanted out of the Suns.
"At least this year he is off contract so he can attract offers,'' Riolo said. "I don't want to speculate. His future will pan out as the season progresses.''
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Titans make play for Karmichael
Dengan url
http://sportlivestyle.blogspot.com/2013/11/titans-make-play-for-karmichael.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Titans make play for Karmichael
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Titans make play for Karmichael
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar