WITH the odds of Dylan Walker suiting up for Manly in 2016 shortening with each passing day, the Sea Eagles look to be scrambling to create room in their salary cap.
Some bargain buys could be the result with one time State of Origin back-rower Jamie Buhrer, Kiwi utility Peta Hiku and props Brenton Lawrence and Josh Starling all reportedly in the shop window.
Hiku, a Test player and still just 22, is likely to attract most interest due to his obvious class and ability to cover a number of positions in the backline.
Having re-signed for the Sea Eagles until 2017 earlier this year, it is likely Manly would have to cover a significant wedge of Hiku’s salary even if he was to leave.
Buhrer, 25, has just one year left on his contract and is coming off a serious knee injury in 2015. He’s unlikely to get an offer elsewhere equal to the salary he’s on now, so again Manly would be forced to dedicate significant cap space for a good player to play elsewhere.
Brenton Lawrence shapes as one of Manly’s dispensable players.Source: News Corp Australia
Like Buhrer, Lawrence (30) and Starling (25) are off-contract at the end of 2016. Both are second-tier players who would come relatively cheap.
So, which clubs are likely to be interested, and which clubs should be?
PETA HIKU
The candidates: Titans, Knights, Dragons, Sharks, Storm, Roosters, Eels, Panthers
Who won’t make a play? Knights
Newcastle are well catered for in the backs and are likely to want to make a home for Dane Gagai, Sione Mata’utia or Jake Mamo at fullback, where Hiku could serve them best.
MOVING: Walker edges closer to Souths departure
Who might make a play? Dragons, Titans
Paul McGregor still isn’t sold on Josh Dugan as a fullback, due to his inability to ballplay. If McGregor decides he wants to put Dugan in the centres, the Dragons could do worse than to go for Hiku at fullback. At this stage though, the Dragons seem more intent on adding a hooker, potentially Robbie Farah or Matt McIllwrick, than an outside back.
The Titans certainly have the money to get Hiku but Neil Henry has spoken about his desire to build depth and quality in the forwards, potentially making Buhrer and Lawrence better fits.
Peta Hiku runs the ball in New Zealand’s recent series loss to England.Source: Getty Images
Most likely suitors: Eels, Sharks, Storm, Roosters, Panthers
After parting ways with Will Hopoate, Parramatta could clearly do with another quality centre and with plenty of his former teammates now wearing blue and gold, it would be easy to see Hiku joining the fold.
The Sharks are pretty strong all over the park but with a new halves pairing set to create more attacking opportunities, they could do with some additional strike out wide to finish things off.
The Storm were recently looking to get Jamal Idris down to Melbourne to replace the departing Kurt Mann and Mahe Fonua. With Idris taking an indefinite break from the game, it might be that Hiku becomes an alternative target.
One of the biggest dilemmas for the Roosters next season is how to fill the shoes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
It would be a risk to move Blake Ferguson from his favoured position of centre and the kid being groomed for the role, Latrell Mitchell is just 18.
After shipping RTS and James Maloney, the Chooks no doubt have some cap space to play with and Hiku might just be the perfect solution to shore up their spine.
Finally, the Panthers have been linked to a possible play for Walker but with that looking long odds, Hiku might be the backup plan to replace Idris, after he quit the club to take an indefinite break.
JAMIE BUHRER
Jamie Buhrer might be collateral damage in the Dylan Walker deal.Source: News Corp Australia
The candidates: Titans, Knights, Tigers, Storm, Bulldogs
Who won’t make a play: Bulldogs, Tigers
Des Hasler gave Buhrer his chance in first grade and the pair won a premiership together at Manly in 2011.
With Frank Pritchard leaving a spot in the back row is open and Canterbury could perhaps benefit from a speedy workhorse like Buhrer to complement a pack full of size and power, particularly with the interchange dropping from 10 to eight.
However, Buhrer’s former teammate Will Hopoate is on the verge of a move to Belmore and that could eat away all the Bulldogs’ remaining cap space.
The Tigers have lost experienced forwards Keith Galloway and Martin Taupau in the off-season and are likely to leave Robbie Farah out of first grade, at least to start the season.
An experienced forward like Buhrer could be a handy addition to a young team, but it seems unlikely that Jason Taylor would go that way, considering the promotion from within philosophy he favours.
Dylan Walker’s potential Manly move has ripple effects across the competition.Source: News Corp Australia
Who might make a play? Storm
Melbourne have lost two quality back rowers in the last two years with Ryan Hoffman heading to the Warriors and Ryan Hinchcliffe heading off to the Super League.
Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor and Dale Finucane remain but Craig Bellamy could do worse than adding Buhrer to the mix at the right price.
Most likely suitors: Titans, Knights
Both the Titans and the Knights are looking to add quality to their packs, with Newcastle the early favourite to make a play.
After moving on Adam Clydsdale, new coach Nathan Brown was understood to be honing in on English hooker James Roby but a back-rower who can pinch hit at dummy half like Buhrer wouldn’t be the worst alternative.
Neil Henry has plenty of cash to work with and is in need of quality replacements for Nate Myles and Dave Taylor, with Queensland utility Chris McQueen a possible target.
With McQueen looking more likely to remain at Redfern for 2016, Buhrer could make a handy fallback option.
BRENTON LAWRENCE, JOSH STARLING
Josh Starling could be on his last chance at NRL level.Source: News Corp Australia
The candidates: Titans, Knights, Dragons, Tigers, Panthers
These two are likely to be harder to shift than Hiku and Buhrer, with late bloomer Lawrence already 30 and coming off knee and back injuries that made him a semi-permanent member of Manly’s rehab squad in 2015.
Starling is younger but has failed to lock down a position in the pack at his first two clubs and must be getting close to the last chance saloon.
Lawrence is the better credentialed of the two and in 2014 he threatened to break into the Queensland team.
That might make him a good fit for the Titans, although they could find some competition for him with Newcastle, who are also looking to strengthen their front row.
The Russell Packer situation is the joker in the pack. If he is deported the Dragons will find themselves short of a prop, making Lawrence and Starling potential targets.
The Tigers could also do worse than a cut-price option to reinforce a front-row that will be without Galloway and Taupau, while the Panthers have also been left with a very young front row by the retirements of Brent Kite and Nigel Plum.
Some bargain buys could be the result with one time State of Origin back-rower Jamie Buhrer, Kiwi utility Peta Hiku and props Brenton Lawrence and Josh Starling all reportedly in the shop window.
Hiku, a Test player and still just 22, is likely to attract most interest due to his obvious class and ability to cover a number of positions in the backline.
Having re-signed for the Sea Eagles until 2017 earlier this year, it is likely Manly would have to cover a significant wedge of Hiku’s salary even if he was to leave.
Buhrer, 25, has just one year left on his contract and is coming off a serious knee injury in 2015. He’s unlikely to get an offer elsewhere equal to the salary he’s on now, so again Manly would be forced to dedicate significant cap space for a good player to play elsewhere.
Brenton Lawrence shapes as one of Manly’s dispensable players.Source: News Corp Australia
Like Buhrer, Lawrence (30) and Starling (25) are off-contract at the end of 2016. Both are second-tier players who would come relatively cheap.
So, which clubs are likely to be interested, and which clubs should be?
PETA HIKU
The candidates: Titans, Knights, Dragons, Sharks, Storm, Roosters, Eels, Panthers
Who won’t make a play? Knights
Newcastle are well catered for in the backs and are likely to want to make a home for Dane Gagai, Sione Mata’utia or Jake Mamo at fullback, where Hiku could serve them best.
MOVING: Walker edges closer to Souths departure
Who might make a play? Dragons, Titans
Paul McGregor still isn’t sold on Josh Dugan as a fullback, due to his inability to ballplay. If McGregor decides he wants to put Dugan in the centres, the Dragons could do worse than to go for Hiku at fullback. At this stage though, the Dragons seem more intent on adding a hooker, potentially Robbie Farah or Matt McIllwrick, than an outside back.
The Titans certainly have the money to get Hiku but Neil Henry has spoken about his desire to build depth and quality in the forwards, potentially making Buhrer and Lawrence better fits.
Peta Hiku runs the ball in New Zealand’s recent series loss to England.Source: Getty Images
Most likely suitors: Eels, Sharks, Storm, Roosters, Panthers
After parting ways with Will Hopoate, Parramatta could clearly do with another quality centre and with plenty of his former teammates now wearing blue and gold, it would be easy to see Hiku joining the fold.
The Sharks are pretty strong all over the park but with a new halves pairing set to create more attacking opportunities, they could do with some additional strike out wide to finish things off.
The Storm were recently looking to get Jamal Idris down to Melbourne to replace the departing Kurt Mann and Mahe Fonua. With Idris taking an indefinite break from the game, it might be that Hiku becomes an alternative target.
One of the biggest dilemmas for the Roosters next season is how to fill the shoes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
It would be a risk to move Blake Ferguson from his favoured position of centre and the kid being groomed for the role, Latrell Mitchell is just 18.
After shipping RTS and James Maloney, the Chooks no doubt have some cap space to play with and Hiku might just be the perfect solution to shore up their spine.
Finally, the Panthers have been linked to a possible play for Walker but with that looking long odds, Hiku might be the backup plan to replace Idris, after he quit the club to take an indefinite break.
JAMIE BUHRER
Jamie Buhrer might be collateral damage in the Dylan Walker deal.Source: News Corp Australia
The candidates: Titans, Knights, Tigers, Storm, Bulldogs
Who won’t make a play: Bulldogs, Tigers
Des Hasler gave Buhrer his chance in first grade and the pair won a premiership together at Manly in 2011.
With Frank Pritchard leaving a spot in the back row is open and Canterbury could perhaps benefit from a speedy workhorse like Buhrer to complement a pack full of size and power, particularly with the interchange dropping from 10 to eight.
However, Buhrer’s former teammate Will Hopoate is on the verge of a move to Belmore and that could eat away all the Bulldogs’ remaining cap space.
The Tigers have lost experienced forwards Keith Galloway and Martin Taupau in the off-season and are likely to leave Robbie Farah out of first grade, at least to start the season.
An experienced forward like Buhrer could be a handy addition to a young team, but it seems unlikely that Jason Taylor would go that way, considering the promotion from within philosophy he favours.
Dylan Walker’s potential Manly move has ripple effects across the competition.Source: News Corp Australia
Who might make a play? Storm
Melbourne have lost two quality back rowers in the last two years with Ryan Hoffman heading to the Warriors and Ryan Hinchcliffe heading off to the Super League.
Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor and Dale Finucane remain but Craig Bellamy could do worse than adding Buhrer to the mix at the right price.
Most likely suitors: Titans, Knights
Both the Titans and the Knights are looking to add quality to their packs, with Newcastle the early favourite to make a play.
After moving on Adam Clydsdale, new coach Nathan Brown was understood to be honing in on English hooker James Roby but a back-rower who can pinch hit at dummy half like Buhrer wouldn’t be the worst alternative.
Neil Henry has plenty of cash to work with and is in need of quality replacements for Nate Myles and Dave Taylor, with Queensland utility Chris McQueen a possible target.
With McQueen looking more likely to remain at Redfern for 2016, Buhrer could make a handy fallback option.
BRENTON LAWRENCE, JOSH STARLING
Josh Starling could be on his last chance at NRL level.Source: News Corp Australia
The candidates: Titans, Knights, Dragons, Tigers, Panthers
These two are likely to be harder to shift than Hiku and Buhrer, with late bloomer Lawrence already 30 and coming off knee and back injuries that made him a semi-permanent member of Manly’s rehab squad in 2015.
Starling is younger but has failed to lock down a position in the pack at his first two clubs and must be getting close to the last chance saloon.
Lawrence is the better credentialed of the two and in 2014 he threatened to break into the Queensland team.
That might make him a good fit for the Titans, although they could find some competition for him with Newcastle, who are also looking to strengthen their front row.
The Russell Packer situation is the joker in the pack. If he is deported the Dragons will find themselves short of a prop, making Lawrence and Starling potential targets.
The Tigers could also do worse than a cut-price option to reinforce a front-row that will be without Galloway and Taupau, while the Panthers have also been left with a very young front row by the retirements of Brent Kite and Nigel Plum.
