North Queensland Cowboys in talks with Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes to be their future fullback
VALENTINE Holmes is contracted to the Sharks until the end of 2019 but a rival NRL club has emerged as a contender for his signature after sounding out the Maroons flyer earlier this year.
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THE Cowboys have held secret talks with Valentine Holmes as the Maroons star declared he wanted to play fullback permanently.
The Sunday Mail can reveal North Queensland hierarchy have identified Holmes as a potential long-term No. 1 at the club.
Holmes grew up in Townsville but was snapped up by Cronulla where he has developed into a Test and Origin winger.
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The 22-year-old will make his third appearance for Queensland on the left wing in Wednesday’s Origin series opener at the MCG.
Holmes is contracted to the Sharks until the end of 2019 and has an option in his favour to remain at Cronulla in 2020.
However, the Cowboys have emerged as a contender for his signature after sounding out Holmes earlier this year.
Premiership-winning fullback Lachlan Coote is no certainty to remain at the Cowboys beyond this season and Holmes’ manager, Gavin Orr, said the Cronulla flyer had attracted interest from rival clubs.
“Val has interest,” he said.
“The Sharks are looking to extend his current contract but if we don’t do that, Val will go on to the open market come the 1st of November.
“The Cowboys are most definitely an option. He is from Townsville, his family is from there and his partner has family in the region.
“If Val left, that would be the obvious club, but we’ll see what takes place with the Sharks.
“He would love to play fullback on a regular basis and that will be a consideration when Val weighs up his future.”
Holmes started the NRL season at fullback for Cronulla before being moved to the wing after just one game.
He has filled in at No. 1 at times throughout the season, but Cronulla has representative fullbacks Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan within its ranks.
Holmes has thrown his hand up to replace retiring Maroons No. 1 Billy Slater and said his ambition was to prove he was a long-term fullback.
“I want to master that at club level first, it’s definitely the position I want to play,” he said.
“I’m still playing a bit of fullback at the Sharks. I still get a bit of a run there. Flanno (coach Shane Flanagan) lets me roam around and get some time there, so I’m happy.
“I’m contracted this year, next year and an option for 2020 (at Cronulla).
“There has been a lot of talk about player movement, not just with myself.
“I don’t know where it’s heading. At the moment I’m with the Sharks.”
Michael Morgan will replace retiring halfback Johnathan Thurston in the Cowboys’ No. 7 jersey next season, with Te Maire Martin expected to get first crack at five-eighth.
If Coote is not re-signed, Ben Hampton shapes as the most logical fullback option unless the Cowboys can snare Holmes a season early.
Holmes has family connections in Townsville and his partner is the sister of Morgan’s fiancee.
Morgan, also a Queensland Origin representative, said he hoped to play alongside Holmes at the Cowboys.
“I would (like to see him at the Cowboys),” Morgan said.
“I’m good mates with him away from footy.
“It would be nice. Hopefully one day.”
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Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys in talks with Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes to be their future fullback