DIEHARD
31-01-06, 03:44 PM
Prince fits Cowboys' profile
By Brent Read
North Queensland could offer Scott Prince the opportunity to return home after confirmation the Wests Tigers captain has been granted permission to negotiate with the NRL's Queensland clubs.
The Tigers yesterday said they had allowed Prince and his manager the opportunity to speak to Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Cowboys.
Prince has until the end of the month to complete negotiations before providing the Tigers with written details of their rivals' offers for the 2007 season and beyond.
Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr said last year's grand finalists would be interested in holding talks with the former Queensland halfback, who was born in Mt Isa and began his first grade career with the club as an 18 year old in 1998.
North Queensland's expression of interest means all three clubs north of the border have indicated a willingness to negotiate with the Tigers halfback, who is off contract at the end of the forthcoming.
"I think it would be silly not to have a chat," Parr said.
"He fits our criteria. He's just captained a grand final-winning side, he just won the Clive Churchill medal, he's been on a Kangaroos tour, he's a north Queenslander and he's played at our club before."
If the Cowboys were successful in luring Prince north, they would likely move Dally M medal winner Johnathan Thurston to five-eighth and field arguably the finest halves combination in the NRL.
Gold Coast is considered the frontrunner for Prince's services but, after talking with chief executive Michael Searle, coach John Cartwright made it clear yesterday the fledgling club would not become involved in a bidding war. Prince is expected to command more than $350,000 on the open market.
Cartwright was salivating at the prospect of pairing Prince with Penrith five-eighth Preston Campbell, who has signed to join the Titans when they enter the NRL in 2007.
"You have one instinctive guy like Preston and you have a bloke like Prince who can guide the team around the park," Cartwright said.
"It's an exciting combination but a long way off that yet."
Source: http://www.FOXSPORTS.com.au
By Brent Read
North Queensland could offer Scott Prince the opportunity to return home after confirmation the Wests Tigers captain has been granted permission to negotiate with the NRL's Queensland clubs.
The Tigers yesterday said they had allowed Prince and his manager the opportunity to speak to Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Cowboys.
Prince has until the end of the month to complete negotiations before providing the Tigers with written details of their rivals' offers for the 2007 season and beyond.
Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr said last year's grand finalists would be interested in holding talks with the former Queensland halfback, who was born in Mt Isa and began his first grade career with the club as an 18 year old in 1998.
North Queensland's expression of interest means all three clubs north of the border have indicated a willingness to negotiate with the Tigers halfback, who is off contract at the end of the forthcoming.
"I think it would be silly not to have a chat," Parr said.
"He fits our criteria. He's just captained a grand final-winning side, he just won the Clive Churchill medal, he's been on a Kangaroos tour, he's a north Queenslander and he's played at our club before."
If the Cowboys were successful in luring Prince north, they would likely move Dally M medal winner Johnathan Thurston to five-eighth and field arguably the finest halves combination in the NRL.
Gold Coast is considered the frontrunner for Prince's services but, after talking with chief executive Michael Searle, coach John Cartwright made it clear yesterday the fledgling club would not become involved in a bidding war. Prince is expected to command more than $350,000 on the open market.
Cartwright was salivating at the prospect of pairing Prince with Penrith five-eighth Preston Campbell, who has signed to join the Titans when they enter the NRL in 2007.
"You have one instinctive guy like Preston and you have a bloke like Prince who can guide the team around the park," Cartwright said.
"It's an exciting combination but a long way off that yet."
Source: http://www.FOXSPORTS.com.au