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If you believe the rumours, we should finally hear this week just how far the Melbourne Storm are over the salary cap and just how sharp their blade will need to be to field a team that plays for points next season. The noises coming from down south have been that the club is aiming to keep the quartet who are now dubbed the Big Four – Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.
That is going to be no mean feat seeing three of them are normally labelled “the best player in the world” a couple of times a week from different judges.
The thought that any of them could be tempted away has meant that most clubs have looked to square away a fair chunk of cash for next year in the hope to entice one of them to their place.
Whether any of them are sacrificed will depend largely on how far over the cap the club currently finds itself and how quickly they can unload other players who are also chewing up room.
But for the sake of an argument, let’s imagine it was open season and each club could put in a bid for one of them.
Who would be your club’s best target?
Brisbane Broncos: The Broncos efforts to land Inglis are already dead in water. I’d opt for Cameron Smith to lead a very young Broncos outfit, particularly once Darren Lockyer moves on.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Greg Inglis. The Bulldogs have already looked to secure the spine of their team for the next few years, but Inglis would be a massive signing for the centres now Jamal Indris looks to have moved into the pack.
Canberra Raiders: Cooper Cronk. The Raiders have plenty of grunt, lots of pace out wide, but seemingly lack direction in attack. When Adam Mogg is playing with jersey number seven on, you know your priority must be to find a halfback.
Cronulla Sharks: Cameron Smith. The Sharks need a complete rebuild, so you may as well start with the bloke you’ll have his hands on the ball most of the time.
Eastern Suburbs Roosters: Greg Inglis. Like the Bulldogs the Roosters have a young spine in place which has their best years ahead of them. Inglis would be terrific luxury to have out wide, and the chefs at Bondi could also probably cook the books accordingly.
Gold Coast Titans: Billy Slater. Scott Prince to Billy Slater, it’s probably one of the few ways they could make the Prince to Campbell combination even more effective.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: If the Sea Eagles keep Steve Matai, I’d say the Sea Eagles would do well getting Cronk to replace Trent Hodkinson. If Matai goes, then it’s GI. However, that’s all based on the fact that Brett Stewart will return to play fullback. If that’s not the case, hello Billy Slater.
New Zealand Warriors: Cameron Smith. The Warriors would excel with the steadying influence of Smith in the rucks.
Newcastle Knights: Greg Inglis. Inglis with Aquila Uate outside him would be a fearsome combination him. He is the game breaker the Knights need.
North Queensland Cowboys: Inglis (and anyone else keen for a game). I’d question the sanity of anyone who wants to go there at present, but “on paper” (and that’s a term you need to use with the Cowboys) who think they would be best suited to Greg Inglis playing in the centres outside Jonathan Thurston. He’d be someone else for Thurston to swear at, shake his head at and throw his arms in the air at when things don’t work out.
Parramatta Eels: Cooper Cronk. After re-signing two young halves, less than twelve months later Parramatta decide they need an experienced halfback. Cronk could be the player to get out of the shadow of Peter Sterling at Parramatta.
Penrith Panthers: Greg Inglis. With the greatest respect, Adrian Purtell is probably the one player the Panthers fans would find expendable and slotting Inglis in that position would certainly be one way to win the battle for Sydney’s west.
St George Dragons: Cameron Smith in for Luke Priddis. The obvious improvement to an already quality side.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Billy Slater. I thought about Cooper Cronk to give the Rabbitohs some maturity in the halves, but I reckon Slater would be the man to get Russell really exicted.
Wests Tigers: Greg Inglis/ Billy Slater. I’d argue the Tigers are either one centre or a fullback away from having a really red hot team, so take your pick.
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