NRL 2016: Benji Marshall, Dragons reopen contract negotiations
THE Dragons have changed their mind on Benji Marshall and could sign him on a deal that allows them to chase a big-name half the following season.
NRL
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BENJI Marshall has reopened contract negotiations with St George Illawarra and is hopeful of a one-year deal.
The Saturday Telegraph can reveal the Dragons are keen to retain Marshall if he is willing to settle for about $300,000 a season.
The former New Zealand Test five-eighth knocked back the club’s offer of $350,000, which prompted both parties to put talks on hold.
But the Dragons have since changed their mind on Marshall, who returns from a hamstring injury against North Queensland at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Saturday night.
It’s understood the Red V only want to offer the ex-Wests Tigers star a 12-month contract so it allows them to chase a big-name half the following season.
A host of star playmakers — including Ben Hunt, Mitchell Pearce, Josh Reynolds, Shaun Johnson and Jack Bird — all come off contract at the end of 2017.
This has prompted the Dragons to table a one-year offer to Marshall to free-up salary cap space for an assault on the open market. Off-contract South Sydney half Luke Keary has also been in the sights of St George Illawarra.
The Dragons were originally reluctant to sign Keary due to his high asking price of about $700,000 a season, but he has since significantly dropped this figure.
It’s understood the premiership-winning Rabbitoh still wants upwards of $400,000 a season — a figure the Dragons are reluctant to match.
There is also a question mark over Keary’s ability to direct the side as the dominant playmaker, which leaves the door firmly ajar for Marshall.
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