NRL 2021: Cameron McInnes’ future at St George Illawarra is looking increasingly shaky

The Dragons have hit the market in search of a replacement for out-of-favour Cameron McInnes — but it won’t be Ben Hunt.

Cameron McInnes of the Dragons scores despite pressure from William Kennedy and Andrew Fifita of the Sharks during the Round 5 NRL match between the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney, Sunday, June 14, 2020. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

On one side of this delicate debate is the reality that St George Illawarra has to make some tough decisions to get its salary cap in shape if they are going to improve under new coach Anthony Griffin.

And on the other side of an emotive issue that is sure to divide fans is the Dragons’ inspirational captain Cameron McInnes.

But this is exactly why McInnes’ long-term future at the club is looking increasingly shaky with the Dragons still pushing hard to get Andrew McCullough for this season.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Cameron McInnes is sure to attract plenty of interest if he hit the open market.

The Dragons are hoping to secure the veteran Brisbane hooker sooner rather than later on a two-year deal but for about half the $620,000-a-season McCullough is currently on.

Meanwhile, McInnes, who turns 27 on Monday, has been told there also will be a spot for him beyond this season - but so far no official offer has been put on the table.

Where the real issue lies is that McInnes is himself expected to attract offers of around $600,000-a-season at rival clubs, but that is a figure well beyond what the Dragons will be prepared to pay.

So even if they end up missing out on McCullough, it is unlikely they will match the money McInnes can earn elsewhere.

The Dragons have been negotiating with Brisbane since November, hoping to reach an agreement to release McCullough.

McCullough, who turned 31 on Saturday, is close mates with halfback Ben Hunt and also has a good relationship with Griffin from their days together at the Broncos.

While the Dragons are said to be growing tired of the drawn out negotiations, most still believe a deal will get done before the new season.

Anthony Griffin is keen to bring Andrew McCullough to Sydney.

If it ultimately eventuates, what is almost certain is that Griffin won’t be buying McCullough to play reserve grade.

That means McInnes will have to be open to spending more time at lock this season.

McInnes has made it known that he will do whatever is best for the team and if that means wearing the No.13 jumper, so be it.

But there is no doubt his market value would be far greater as a dummy half.

Cameron McInnes has been a stalwart for the Dragons for many years.

McInnes’ management has made no secret that they have been out there talking to all interested parties, but, so far, negotiations have been done with a mutual respect.

But it’s all now coming to a head as the talks intensify.

And while this is sure to become more and more of an emotional issue among the fans, it is also a huge decision the Dragons need to get right given some of their questionable recruitment choices in recent years.

The Dragons are hoeful of securing McCullough for the 2021 season.

It is hard to imagine McInnes running out in rival club colours and plenty of fans would think he is worth every cent of $600,000.

But another significant factor the Dragons must also consider is what would happen if Jack de Belin is cleared to play in the coming months, given he owned the lock spot.

So far Wests Tigers have been the one club publicly linked to McInnes after the Dragons hooker caught up with his old Souths coach Michael Maguire prior to Christmas.

And while there will be other clubs surely interested, whispers also surfaced in recent days that Manly might be a left-field contender given Manase Fainu’s uncertain future — although the Sea Eagles did hand Fainu a contract extension last year to ward off interest from the Bulldogs.

Of course, Fainu is currently suspended indefinitely under the NRL’s no fault stand down policy after he was charged with allegedly stabbing a man at a church dance in October, 2019.

Fainu has pleaded not guilty but his trial is not scheduled until July.

That timeline is unlikely to suit McInnes given his future is expected to be settled before the season starts in March. It’s now just a matter of how hard the Dragons are prepared to fight to keep him.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Cameron McInnes’ future at St George Illawarra is looking increasingly shaky