NSW Clubs prepare $6 million bids to steal North Queensland star Michael Morgan

FIVE NSW clubs are ready with $6 million war chests in a bid to steal North Queensland’s finals hero Michael Morgan.

Michael Morgan of the Cowboys smiles after victory in the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys.

FIVE NSW clubs are ready with $6 million war chests in a bid to steal North Queensland’s finals hero Michael Morgan.

FIVE NSW clubs are ready with $6 million war chests in a bid to steal North Queensland’s finals hero Michael Morgan.

While Morgan prepares to orchestrate one of the biggest grand final boilovers in history against Melbourne Storm on Sunday, rivals are circling the Cowboys’ star halfback, who is free to negotiate with other clubs for the 2019 season in just 33 days.

The expected five-year offers would start at $1.1 million a season but increase to $1.5 million over the course of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, making Morgan one of the richest players in the game.

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It is understood some clubs are considering “life” contracts for Morgan, who is still just 25.

The Cowboys have left themselves open to losing Morgan by not starting contract extension negotiations and he will now be officially open to offers from November 1.

North Queensland management has spoken about the urgent need to lock down Morgan before he becomes a free agent, but have delayed talks until after Sunday’s match so they would not be a distraction during grand final week.

But clubs have already been scanning their salary caps to determine how much they can throw at the man who has come into his own as a playmaker since a season-ending shoulder injury to Johnathan Thurston earlier this year.

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Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has even said he now rates Morgan as the best player in the game.

Morgan was born in Townsville and wants to remain at the Cowboys but will be tempted to leave by the giant offers from NSW clubs.

Cowboys officials planned to use the salary cap space from Thurston to keep Morgan. They already have Jason Taumalolo locked in until 2027 on a massive $10 million deal.

One Sydney-based CEO said Morgan would be heavily targeted.

“I am sure some big offers will be made over November and December,” he said.

“You’d think he would stay but money talks and a lot of players have a desire to live in Sydney and enjoy the adoration.

“Morgan has been brilliant this year. No doubt he would command huge money.”

It would take a king’s ransom to lure Morgan from Townsville but clubs will be cashed-up now that the salary cap is increasing.

“We want to make him a one-club player if we can,” Cowboys general manager of football Peter Parr told foxsports.com.au.

“Obviously there will be a fair bit of work to do. We have a good history of keeping players who we want to retain.

“If you have a look at Johnathan, Matt Scott, Jason (Taumalolo), people like that over the years, we have had a lot of high-profile players targeted and they have all stayed.

“Our desire will be to do a deal with him and I’m sure we’ll be able to do that.”

Originally published as NSW Clubs prepare $6 million bids to steal North Queensland star Michael Morgan