Cronulla keen on Will Chambers and Dane Gagai to replace Brisbane-bound Jack Bird

CRONULLA have their eye on Queensland stars Will Chambers and Dane Gagai to replace Brisbane-bound Jack Bird.

MAROONS strike weapons Dane Gagai and Will Chambers are being targeted by the Sharks as the premiers plot a big-money raid to replace Broncos-bound Jack Bird.

Bird’s departure to Brisbane next season gives Cronulla room to move under the salary cap and the cashed-up Sharks are circling two of Queensland’s finest attacking talents.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Gagai, who has an option in his favour with Newcastle for next season, is seeking in excess of $700,000 a season as he weighs up his future at the embattled Knights.

At 26, Gagai is younger than Chambers, who turns 29 in a fortnight, but his asking price could be problematic in a market where most three-quarters struggle to fetch $500,000.

Will Gagai stay with the struggling Knights?

The Sharks are keen to contact Chambers’ management with a view to tabling a formal offer. The Storm centre has a spicy history with the Sharks, calling Cronulla stalwart Paul Gallen a “drug cheat” during last month’s clash between the clubs at AAMI Park.

But with the Sharks looking to fill the Bird void, Kangaroos ace Chambers shapes as the perfect solution, especially given his experience as a right centre.

Storm football operations chief Frank Ponissi vowed to fight hard to retain Chambers, who has amassed 157 games for the club since his NRL debut in 2007.

“He is definitely part of our plans and we are doing everything we can to keep him,” Ponissi said.

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“We don’t want to lose Will, he’s the incumbent Test centre so we’re working hard to make sure he can stay.

“With Cooper (Cronk) leaving, it gives us room in the salary cap but we’re also mindful we need money to replace the guys that are leaving. We are losing Jordan McLean (to the Cowboys) as well and we haven’t replaced him yet.

“There’s a bit of work to do with our squad for next year, but Will is a high priority in our recruitment and retention plans.”

Chambers has a chequered history with the Sharks.

Gagai’s option with Newcastle for next season is worth $600,000. But with the Knights mired in one of the toughest periods in their history, the club is in danger of losing their most talented outside back.

Chambers and Gagai are almost certain to be selected by the Maroons for Origin I, with coach Kevin Walters lauding the Storm centre’s performance in last week’s Anzac Test.

Playing his second Test, Chambers scored a solo try and amassed 114 running metres and four tackle busts in Australia’s 30-12 victory.

“Will was very good in the Test,” Walters said.

“He has played that role for Queensland before on that left side and he’s a big body and he’s fast, he seems to be really on top of his game.

“It’s good news for the Storm and Queensland if Will keeps playing well over the next few weeks.”

Originally published as Cronulla keen on Will Chambers and Dane Gagai to replace Brisbane-bound Jack Bird