Cowboys one of several clubs interested in Brisbane’s Dale Copley

NOW that James Roberts has signed with Brisbane, Dale Copley will likely be shown the door but plenty of clubs are keen to land the 24-year old.

DALE Copley has been told by the Broncos to find a new club so they can fit James Roberts within the salary cap and Cowboys coach Paul Green has already voiced an interest.

Copley has been advised Brisbane cannot remain within their salary cap by including the last year of his contract because they signed another centre, Roberts, for the next two seasons.

Several NRL clubs had expressed an interest in Copley, including Parramatta and Melbourne, before Wednesday’s announcement of Roberts’s contract which effectively ended Copley’s service to a club for which he made his first-grade debut in 2009.

It is understood Copley, an Aspley junior, wants to stay with a Queensland club if he can, but his most important consideration is to go to the strongest club possible.

Gold Coast would have salary cap room to pay Copley more than he would have earned at the Broncos, but on the downside they placed 14th out of 16 clubs this year.

Green said he had not approached Copley, 24, or his manager, but had noted media reports that the tall centre would will be shipped on by the Broncos to accommodate Roberts, a NSW Origin hopeful.

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Copley seems to be the odd man out for the Broncos.

Asked if the Cowboys could fit Copley within their salary cap next year, Green said: “Not just yet.

“We’d be interested in Dale. I have had a bit to do with him as a kid when he was in the Broncos development squad as a 14- or 15-year-old.

“He’s had a disrupted career. This has all only happened today really, but he’s a good young bloke and has a lot of good football in him.’’

When a player is moved on for cap reasons, his team often pays some amount towards his salary at his new club.

When Roberts knocked back a revised offer from the Titans after it was discovered a Titans staffer, since sacked, had written the player’s initials on a contract, the Broncos moved to secure the Dally M centre of the award winner in the face of a Rabbitohs offer.

The Broncos have surged into premiership favouritism off the back of Roberts’ signature, shortening to $4.25 with UBET ahead of the Cowboys ($7).

A week ago they were $5 co-favourites with North Queensland.

While Roberts’ manager Jeremy Donovan said he had taken less money than he could have earnt at another club, the Broncos have still to satisfy the NRL that their valuation of him towards the salary cap is realistic.

The Broncos believe no contracted player other than Copley will need to be moved on to satisfy the NRL.

“The Broncos need to submit any contract within five working days,’’ an NRL spokesman said.

“The salary cap auditors will consider the contract in the New Year.’’

Donovan said a major consideration for Roberts, 22, was that he could continue to live at the Gold Coast rather than move to Sydney.

Roberts has placed his trust in fourth NRL club will improve him after he was sacked by South Sydney and Penrith before he kicked major goals at the Titans.

“James was incredibly impressed by the humility shown through the whole process by (Broncos CEO) Paul White, Wayne Bennett and (recruitment chief) Peter Nolan,’’ Donovan said.

Broncos coach Bennett ultimately decided he was more likely to win a premiership with the strong, fast Roberts in the centres rather than Copley.

On October 28, Bennett said there would be “no more waiting’’ for Copley for a regular Broncos centre spot due to the retirement of Justin Hodges.

Originally published as Cowboys one of several clubs interested in Brisbane’s Dale Copley