Wests Tigers looking to poach Mitchell Pearce

WESTS Tigers have made secret enquiries about bringing NSW Origin halfback Mitchell Pearce to the club where his father, Wayne, is a legend.

WESTS Tigers have made secret enquiries about bringing NSW Origin halfback Mitchell Pearce to the club where his father, Wayne, is a legend.

The Roosters are bracing themselves for a battle to retain a player they see as a future captain, with Pearce's agent confirming he will go on the open market on November 1, when rival clubs are free to negotiate with players off contract at the end of 2013.

"It is difficult to measure the worth of a player of Mitchell's calibre," said his agent Mike Newton. "So it would be in his best interest to test his worth on the open market before agreeing to a new deal."

Pearce is expected to attract offers of as much as $650,000 a season for 2014.

"We are in no hurry to do anything with Mitchell's contract," Newton said. "There is certainly no rush. The club is eager to extend his contract and Mitchell loves the place and certainly would like to stay.

"But we aren't in a hurry and we need to see how some things play out, especially with the TV rights deal and what it will mean for the salary cap, and how the new CBA (collective bargaining agreement) will be structured."

Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce was reluctant to elaborate on Pearce's contract situation beyond next year, but the Bondi-based club is aware the Tigers are looming as their biggest threat in keeping the playmaker.

Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell confirmed asking about Pearce's availability but distanced himself from the prospect of snaring the star half.

"I make calls to hundreds of managers and speak to them all the time," McDonnell said. "That is nothing unusual, but we are very happy with our halves, having Benji Marshall, Curtis Sironen going well, Braith Anasta coming and Jacob Miller coming through."

Landing Pearce would be a major coup for the Tigers and a homecoming for one of the club's most famous names.

His father Wayne played 193 games for the Tigers in a one-club career that lasted 11 years.

Pearce is just one of a host of playmakers off contract at the end of 2012 with an unprecedented $4.6 million worth of playmaking talent will be up for grabs as clubs scramble to lock down their most valuable players beyond 2013.

Heading the list is Test star Johnathan Thurston, who could become the game's first $1 million-a-year player as the Cowboys prepare to table the richest deal in the code's history.

Thurston's agent Sam Ayoub said the Maroons star was in no rush to ink a contract extension.

"We have agreed to sit down with the Cowboys and talk after the Origin period," Ayoub said.

"Johnathan is very happy up there and we will begin talks when he is finished with Queensland. He is in no rush either, but we will talk with Peter Parr soon."

Blues halves Pearce and Todd Carney, Dragons ace Jamie Soward, Titans rookie Aiden Seizer, Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds and Souths' No. 7 Adam Reynolds are also off contract at the end of next year and rival clubs can come calling on November 1.

With Ben Hornby also set to retire next year, the Dragons could be left without a half as Jamie Soward is being linked to rugby union and the English Super League.

Soward's manager last night dismissed a report claiming Soward had received an offer from Wigan and hinted his future was with the Dragons.

"If Wigan want to make us an offer then they are more than welcome," Soward's manager Sam Ayoub said.

"I met with Craig Young (Dragons football manager) during the week and he is very happy with where Jamie is at.

"He is developing as a leader and improving areas of his game.

"I see know reason why he won't be there beyond his current deal."

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