Super Cronk
24-02-06, 11:14 AM
Heraldsun.com.au
MELBOURNE Storm will step up efforts to re-sign winger Jake Webster after the Gold Coast Titans revealed their interest in the Kiwi international last night.
Storm management has offered Webster a new two-year deal and is hopeful the Moonee Ponds-born youngster will stay in Melbourne.
Webster was Storm's most improved player in 2005. He started the year as a fringe first-grader but finished with 24 top-flight games, 10 tries and a Kiwi Test jumper.
"We have made Jake one of our priorities," Storm recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan said yesterday. "We have been through thick and thin with him and he is now reaching the peak of his career.
"We have an offer on the table, a meeting with his manager early next week and we are hopeful of finalising something soon."
Webster has indicated his preference is to remain with Storm, but the lure of playing in his preferred centre position could tempt him to the Gold Coast.
"At the moment Jake is saying all the right things," O'Sullivan said.
"We have fostered him for five years and I know he is appreciative of that."
The Gold Coast will enter the competition next year and it has already announced a series of signings, including Storm hooker Nathan Friend.
The Titans are also leading the charge to sign in-demand Wests Tigers halfback Scott Prince.
Titans chief executive Michael Searle confirmed Webster was on his recruitment team's radar.
"We are in a position where every player coming off contract will be invariably linked with us," Searle said. "But we are aware of Jake's abilities, and if he is still off contract come July 1, then we would be interested in talking to him.
"He is an international-class winger and from what we hear a very capable centre."
With almost a dozen players off contract, O'Sullivan said Storm was concerned the arrival of the Gold Coast could lead to the player market becoming inflated.
"Like everyone we are little bit worried about what impact they will have," O'Sullivan said.
"We are moving forward a little quicker than we normally would to lock players away."
Storm is yet to open talks with the luckless Steve Turner, who is trying to resurrect his career after a series of injuries.
Searle said Turner might be an option for the Gold Coast, but the Titans' priority is Great Britain fullback Richie Mathers.
"I haven't seen a lot of Steve but by all reports he is a very handy player," Searle said.
"Fullback is a position we are currently looking at. But we are negotiating with Richie Mathers at the moment and we are a fair way down the track there."
MELBOURNE Storm will step up efforts to re-sign winger Jake Webster after the Gold Coast Titans revealed their interest in the Kiwi international last night.
Storm management has offered Webster a new two-year deal and is hopeful the Moonee Ponds-born youngster will stay in Melbourne.
Webster was Storm's most improved player in 2005. He started the year as a fringe first-grader but finished with 24 top-flight games, 10 tries and a Kiwi Test jumper.
"We have made Jake one of our priorities," Storm recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan said yesterday. "We have been through thick and thin with him and he is now reaching the peak of his career.
"We have an offer on the table, a meeting with his manager early next week and we are hopeful of finalising something soon."
Webster has indicated his preference is to remain with Storm, but the lure of playing in his preferred centre position could tempt him to the Gold Coast.
"At the moment Jake is saying all the right things," O'Sullivan said.
"We have fostered him for five years and I know he is appreciative of that."
The Gold Coast will enter the competition next year and it has already announced a series of signings, including Storm hooker Nathan Friend.
The Titans are also leading the charge to sign in-demand Wests Tigers halfback Scott Prince.
Titans chief executive Michael Searle confirmed Webster was on his recruitment team's radar.
"We are in a position where every player coming off contract will be invariably linked with us," Searle said. "But we are aware of Jake's abilities, and if he is still off contract come July 1, then we would be interested in talking to him.
"He is an international-class winger and from what we hear a very capable centre."
With almost a dozen players off contract, O'Sullivan said Storm was concerned the arrival of the Gold Coast could lead to the player market becoming inflated.
"Like everyone we are little bit worried about what impact they will have," O'Sullivan said.
"We are moving forward a little quicker than we normally would to lock players away."
Storm is yet to open talks with the luckless Steve Turner, who is trying to resurrect his career after a series of injuries.
Searle said Turner might be an option for the Gold Coast, but the Titans' priority is Great Britain fullback Richie Mathers.
"I haven't seen a lot of Steve but by all reports he is a very handy player," Searle said.
"Fullback is a position we are currently looking at. But we are negotiating with Richie Mathers at the moment and we are a fair way down the track there."