North Queensland prepare big money bid for Melbourne prop Jordan McLean
NORTH Queensland have found the player they think can replace James Tamou — Melbourne prop Jordan McLean.
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THE Cowboys have launched a big-money raid on Jordan McLean in a bid to partner the Melbourne hulk with Queensland enforcer Matt Scott.
Having lost James Tamou to Penrith, the Cowboys are going hard for McLean with a view to the 115kg prop being the heir apparent to Scott, the club’s No. 1 front-rower.
Scott is weighing up a lucrative offer from Newcastle, but Cowboys hierarchy insist they can accommodate the Test prop and McLean under the salary cap for next season.
The Storm are aware of North Queensland’s poaching attempt and have vowed to do everything possible to retain the 25-year-old, who is rated a future NSW Origin star.
The Cowboys initially placed McLean on their hit list six months ago as the 2015 premiers explored contingencies following Tamou’s big-money defection to the Panthers.
McLean could not negotiate with rival clubs at the time as it was before the annual November 1 contracting period. But with the off-contract McLean now able to source offers, the Cowboys have ramped-up plans to snare Melbourne’s best emerging prop.
North Queensland have yet to table a formal offer but have discussed financial terms with McLean’s management.
It is understood the Storm have upped the ante with a three-year deal.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters worked with McLean as a former assistant to Craig Bellamy at Melbourne and says the 196cm giant would be a coup for the Cowboys.
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“Jordan is a real talent, he would be a great signing,” said Walters, who spent 12 months monitoring McLean at the Storm.
“I met Jordan in Melbourne and while he was only young at the time, it was clear he was going to be a very good first-grader.
“The Cowboys need a good young front-rower and Jordan ticks all the boxes.
“I really hope Matt Scott stays at the Cowboys, Jordan would certainly learn a lot from him and they would be a pretty formidable front row.”
McLean is torn on dual fronts. He has not forgotten the support provided by the Storm, who helped the prop through the emotional trauma of Alex McKinnon’s career-ending neck injury in 2014.
But family is a major factor after McLean’s partner recently gave birth to their second child. His mother and mother-in-law both live in the north Queensland town of Mareeba.
At the recent World All Stars clash, McLean told teammates in camp he is seriously considering a move to the Cowboys. But the Storm are fighting hard to stave off the Cowboys.
“We are happy with negotiations at this stage and are hopeful Jordan will re-sign,” Storm football operations chief Frank Ponissi said.
“Jordan is a popular member of the team and he and Jesse (Bromwich) have formed a terrific front-row partnership.
“We’re aware of interest in him but his best years are ahead of him and we’ll do everything possible to keep him here.”
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