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Brisbane Broncos star Gerard Beale set to move to St George Illawarra Dragons
Steve Ricketts
The Courier-Mail
March 20, 2012 12:00AM
ST George Illawarra are set to poach promising youngster Gerard Beale from under the noses of the Brisbane Broncos as the solution to their fullback dilemma.
The Kiwi Test star will quit the Broncos at the end of the season, leaving coach Anthony Griffin bewildered.
Beale is believed to have agreed to terms with the Dragons, who are desperate for a fullback after losing Darius Boyd to Newcastle and failing to lure Tim Moltzen from Wests Tigers.
The Dragons also have been linked with Manly fullback Brett Stewart, who hails from Wollongong. But it seems he will stay with the Sea Eagles or switch to Canterbury and rejoin former coach Des Hasler.
Griffin yesterday promised Beale would continue to be considered for first grade on his merits, with the 21-year-old retaining his wing spot for Friday night's match against South Sydney in Perth.
"We are extremely disappointed to lose Gerard," Griffin told The Daily Telegraph last night.
"He has been at the club for five seasons and is highly regarded. We did all in our power to keep him but under the salary cap, you can't keep them all. Gerard will be selected on the basis of his 2012 form, nothing else."
The Broncos offered Beale, fullback Josh Hoffman and prop Josh McGuire new three-year deals in December, with Hoffman and McGuire accepting the terms.
Brisbane believe they offered Beale the upgrade he deserved after he represented New Zealand last year and cemented a spot in first grade.
Officials are at pains to point out it was Beale's decision to reject the offer in the face of more substantial deals put up by rival clubs, with St George Illawarra and New Zealand Warriors believed to be at the head of the queue.
Beale's manager Isaac Moses was informed of the club's decision to end negotiations yesterday afternoon..Asked after training yesterday about rumours the Dragons were circling, Beale shrugged and said: "I might know more tomorrow or later in the week."
Brisbane have re-signed exciting young talent Dane Gagai, who the club has earmarked as a successor to star centre Justin Hodges.
A cousin of Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman and former winger Wendell Sailor, Gagai extended his deal with Brisbane yesterday until 2014.
The son of former Bronco flash Ray Gagai has bulked up over the off-season and shown glimpses of his potential, scoring four tries in just seven NRL games last year.
http://bit.ly/xQ7TUF
Steve Ricketts
The Courier-Mail
March 20, 2012 12:00AM
ST George Illawarra are set to poach promising youngster Gerard Beale from under the noses of the Brisbane Broncos as the solution to their fullback dilemma.
The Kiwi Test star will quit the Broncos at the end of the season, leaving coach Anthony Griffin bewildered.
Beale is believed to have agreed to terms with the Dragons, who are desperate for a fullback after losing Darius Boyd to Newcastle and failing to lure Tim Moltzen from Wests Tigers.
The Dragons also have been linked with Manly fullback Brett Stewart, who hails from Wollongong. But it seems he will stay with the Sea Eagles or switch to Canterbury and rejoin former coach Des Hasler.
Griffin yesterday promised Beale would continue to be considered for first grade on his merits, with the 21-year-old retaining his wing spot for Friday night's match against South Sydney in Perth.
"We are extremely disappointed to lose Gerard," Griffin told The Daily Telegraph last night.
"He has been at the club for five seasons and is highly regarded. We did all in our power to keep him but under the salary cap, you can't keep them all. Gerard will be selected on the basis of his 2012 form, nothing else."
The Broncos offered Beale, fullback Josh Hoffman and prop Josh McGuire new three-year deals in December, with Hoffman and McGuire accepting the terms.
Brisbane believe they offered Beale the upgrade he deserved after he represented New Zealand last year and cemented a spot in first grade.
Officials are at pains to point out it was Beale's decision to reject the offer in the face of more substantial deals put up by rival clubs, with St George Illawarra and New Zealand Warriors believed to be at the head of the queue.
Beale's manager Isaac Moses was informed of the club's decision to end negotiations yesterday afternoon..Asked after training yesterday about rumours the Dragons were circling, Beale shrugged and said: "I might know more tomorrow or later in the week."
Brisbane have re-signed exciting young talent Dane Gagai, who the club has earmarked as a successor to star centre Justin Hodges.
A cousin of Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman and former winger Wendell Sailor, Gagai extended his deal with Brisbane yesterday until 2014.
The son of former Bronco flash Ray Gagai has bulked up over the off-season and shown glimpses of his potential, scoring four tries in just seven NRL games last year.
http://bit.ly/xQ7TUF
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