NRL clubs target Gareth Widdop after St George Illawarra Dragons deal hits hurdle
Gareth Widdop is set to return to Australia but the likelihood of a Dragons reunion is diminishing by the day as St George Illawarra struggle to unload Corey Norman’s hefty contract.
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NRL clubs are set to circle Gareth Widdop as the English star ponders a return to Australia next season - but the chances of a St George Illawarra homecoming appear slim.
St George Illawarra need to move Corey Norman on from the final year of his $850,000 deal to accommodate Widdop but that is proving to be problematic.
Widdop’s club Warrington poured cold water on a proposed player swap between Widdop and Norman, making a Dragons return all but impossible unless something dramatic happens in the next few weeks.
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The Dragons have offered Norman to NRL rivals in recent weeks without success.
Widdop is considering returning to the NRL next year because of family reasons. The Dragons have first rights for Widdop’s services as part of the deal to release him two years early from his contract.
Rival clubs began inquiring about Widdop’s services on Wednesday, aware that St George Illawarra will struggle to fit the 31-year-old in at the club.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor said talk of releasing Norman was “unfair”. McGregor has axed Norman for the team’s must-win clash against the Roosters on Thursday night in favour of rookie Adam Clune.
“It’s the first time he hasn’t been picked in 18 months with the club and we’re talking about Gareth coming back already,” McGregor said.
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“That’s too unfair at this stage to even talk about and it hasn’t been mentioned to me with the recruitment (staff). I have not been told anything around that and it’s just so unfair to the player involved that’s here. We want Corey to play well this year.”
McGregor said Norman’s form had dipped in recent weeks.
“You don’t make selection changes on a week,” McGregor said.
“Corey and Adam, their preference is to play on the left side and we thought the function of the team would improve if we made the tough decision (to drop Norman).
“Corey’s been below his best and we want to give him time to work on his game, look at what he wants out of the game and what we need to improve.”
Any NRL return would be a financial sacrifice for Widdop who walked away from the final two years of a $1.8 million deal with St George Illawarra.
Wests Tigers’ Josh Reynolds could loom as replacement for Widdop. Reynolds has attracted interest from a range of Super League clubs this year but has been reluctant to make the move despite the opportunity to take up a multi-year contract.
The Bulldogs could potentially make a play if Kieran Foran rejects the club’s offer.
