NRL: Dragons move to lock up Gasnier

[DeeGan]

Dragons move to lock up Gasnier
By Brent Read
January 24, 2006

AFTER an 18-month period in which he flirted with English club Wigan and contemplated becoming the game's latest rugby union convert, Mark Gasnier is in the throes of negotiating a new contract which would tie him to St George Illawarra until at least the end of 2009.

Dragons chief executive Peter Doust met Gasnier's manager George Mimis in Melbourne last week and returned to Sydney confident the Test centre would extend his stay.

His likely signing puts the Dragons in position to strike a triple blow before the start of the premiership.

As reported in The Australian last week, Gasnier's centre partner, Matt Cooper, and young utility Dean Young are both close to committing their futures to the club.

Gasnier was mooted as a potential target of the Australian Rugby Union late last year, at one point admitting he held interest in meeting officials.

Doust said he had been assured Gasnier had no inclination to cross codes.

"It was basically one ... there is no interest in rugby, and two, he's interested in extending his career at the Dragons, maybe a three-year contract," Doust said.

But Mimis last night refused to rule out exploring possibilities in rugby if the ARU was prepared to initiate talks.

Gasnier, who would command significant attention on the open market, went close to joining Wigan in 2004 before the Dragons stepped in.

He responded last season by establishing himself as the game's pre-eminent centre.

His imminent retention, along with that of Cooper and Young, is likely to focus more attention on the future of captain Trent Barrett.

Barrett's manager Wayne Beavis returned from holidays yesterday and plans to meet Doust this week amid strong speculation the Test five-eighth is in the sights of Wigan.

Meanwhile, Australia coach Ricky Stuart will announce a preliminary Test squad today for a camp this weekend.

Stuart has taken a long-range view with the 40-man preliminary squad including several youngsters, namely Melbourne teenager Greg Inglis, Roosters forward Anthony Tupou and South Sydney utility John Sutton.

The squad also includes a few surprises, among them North Queensland enforcer Carl Webb.

Several players, including captain Darren Lockyer and Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns, are unable to attend the overnight camp due to prior commitments.

The Australian

Some good news for Dragons fans who learnt this week that they may lose their star five-eight after this season

DeeGan

[Ipswich Fan]

This is probably the best indication yet that St George are going to lose Barrett at seasons end.

[DeeGan]

This is probably the best indication yet that St George are going to lose Barrett at seasons end.

Have to agree with you there - I didn't want to type it though given we have so many Dragons fans here

DeeGan

[Dakink]

Dont know who I want more to stay - Barrett or Gasnier.

Barrett is a more complete player and a fantastic 5\8, Gasnier is a proven matchwinner who can create chances out of nothing - all in all I think Id prefer Barrett though as centres are easier to replace (not of the same quality sure) than world a world class 5\8. If he does go to Wigan it will give me even more reason to hate the arrogant sods.

[Eel 33]

Bye bye Barrett.