Craig Bellamy eye Titans recruit, explains Scott Drinkwater future

The June 30 signing deadline is fast approaching and Melbourne has moves in the making, with coach Craig Bellamy looking to boost his squad’s depth — but also set to lose a rising star.

Max King looks on during the Gold Coast Titans training session on the Gold Coast, Wednesday, July 19, 2017. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

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Storm coach Craig Bellamy has confirmed the club’s interest in Gold Coast Titans young gun Max King.

If successful in nabbing King, 22, before the June 30 deadline the lock/forward would further enhance ladder leader Melbourne’s stocks for the run to the finals.

“Yes, we’re interested in Max King,” Bellamy said.

“I’m not quite sure how far that’s gone, there’s a few things that got to happen.

“We’d like to have Max at our club … it’s got to be the right decision for him and he’s got to get permission off the Titans as well, hopefully something might be sorted soon, whether he comes or doesn’t come, the decision will be made soon.”

The 188cm, 105kg Titans forward has played 38 games since making his debut in 2017.

Max King could be off to Melbourne Storm. Picture: AAP

Bellamy also reiterated the club’s position on the mooted departure of speedster Scott Drinkwater.

Drinkwater has been linked to North Queensland, on a two-year deal, but Storm isn’t going to let the fullback most anointed previously as Billy Slater’s replacement to go for free.

The Cowboys had hoped to get a deal done before June 30. It looks unlikely, however, unless Storm is able to orchestrate a swap of sorts.

“What’s happened to Scott is hugely unlucky, I don’t think in all my time in footy I’ve seen a couple circumstances how it’s gone for him,” Bellamy said.

Scott Drinkwater has been linked with a move to the Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

“We can understand he wants to play first grade because we do see he’s an NRL player without a doubt, we want to see him playing first grade and if it’s at another club then so be it.

“As I said last week, there’s got to be something for our club too, we just can’t let a player like him go without something in return.”

Drinkwater was pencilled in to play Round 1 but ruptured his pectoral in the last pre-season trial game.

His absence opened the door for standouts Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen to cement the fullback and bench utility roles.

Originally published as Craig Bellamy eye Titans recruit, explains Scott Drinkwater future