Maloney twist complicates Merrin’s potential Dragons move even further
An out-of-form Panthers playmaker James Maloney has emerged as a key figure in the complex negotiation process that could result in Trent Merrin’s return to St George Illawarra.
Dragons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Dragons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NRL teams: Origin, injuries wreak havoc
Penrith veteran James Maloney could hold the key to St George Illawarra securing Trent Merrin with Merrin’s club Leeds keen on landing the former NSW Origin five-eighth.
The Dragons are pursuing signing Merrin having been granted a $239,000 salary cap dispensation by the NRL because of Jack de Belin’s suspension. The Dragons were officially given the dispensation having delayed the process as de Belin fought to overturn the NRL’s no fault stand-down policy.
Negotiations between the Dragons and Merrin have a multi-layered complexity which could scuttle the deal at any moment.
The Dragons are unable to offer Merrin a contract beyond this season. Meaning the former Test star would need to walk away from the final three years of a rich deal he inked with the Rhinos having joined them on a four-year deal from Penrith this year.
To further complicate the deal, the Dragons have little wiggle room in their salary cap next year despite the departure of skipper Gareth Widdop at season’s end.
Under the NRL’s no fault stand-down rules, St George Illawarra have to again apply for dispensation if de Belin is unable to return to the field.
However there is no clear time frame – nor a guarantee that de Belin will return to the field at any stage. Meaning Merrin would have to take a punt that de Belin won’t be able to return or another NRL club would sign him beyond 2019.
Maloney has loomed a potential target for the struggling Rhinos who are battling relegation after a horrid year which saw coach David Furner sacked.
The opportunity to off-load Merrin could see Leeds up their offer to Maloney and fast-track a deal perhaps before June 30.
Maloney is contracted to the Panthers until the end of next year but the 32-year-old has openly stated he is keen on playing in England at some stage. His departure would provide some much needed salary cap relief for the Panthers.
Maloney was not keen to talk about his future last week.
“I am no different,” he told The Daily Telegraph on Friday. “The only talk is coming from media. I couldn’t give a rats about it really.”
The Dragons are obviously keen to bring Merrin back to the club as soon as possible to bolster their depleted forwards stocks.
They were dealt another blow with James Graham sidelined for about two months with an ankle injury.
Merrin denied this week he was on the lookout to return to the NRL.
Originally published as Maloney twist complicates Merrin’s potential Dragons move even further
$75m or $19m: Which NRL club owns most expensive centre of excellence
A surprising club tops the list when it comes to how much an NRL club spends on their centre of excellence. Sunday Session reveals how much teams have dished out on their training bases.
Dragons scouting report: Best 17; Hunt, Lomax leave black hole
St George Illawarra Dragons have lost two of the best attacking threats in the competition. MICHAEL CARAYANNIS analyses how the club will combat the loss and which rookies are set to debut in 2025.