Cronulla have set their sights on enticing local junior Chad Townsend back home to partner prized signing James Maloney in what will be a potent halves combination next NRL season.
The Sharks announced on Friday they had landed the signature of the 29-year-old Maloney on a three-year deal from the beginning of 2016.
And with the finishing touches just about set on skipper Paul Gallen’s one-year extension, coach Shane Flanagan revealed Townsend was firmly on their radar.
“Chad’s expressed his interest,” Flanagan said on Friday.
“He wants to come back home, so we’re working hard on that one.
“But nothing’s been guaranteed just as yet.”
Despite speculation Maloney was close to re-signing with the Roosters, the former NSW State of Origin representative agreed to terms with the club on Thursday night.
Flanagan said Maloney’s ability with the boot would be a huge asset for a side that had struggled to replace the attacking nous of former point man Todd Carney since sacking him last year.
Back-up halves Fa’amanu Brown and Kyle Stanley were also lost to ACL injuries early in the season.
“If anyone watched the game last week for the Roosters (against the Warriors), he single-handedly won it for the Roosters,” he said.
“Moving forward, it’s a great signing for our club.
“His attacking ability, his general field kicking and his over 80 per cent goalkicking is a massive boost for the club.”
Cronulla will be Maloney’s fourth NRL club, having previously played with Melbourne, the Warriors and Roosters.
He has never re-signed with a club.
Flanagan also said the Sharks were close to announcing a new deal for Gallen that would see him finish his NRL career as a one-club player.
“Gal’s contract’s not an easy one because it’s his last year at the club,” he said.
“There’s some concessions in there that, with the NRL, we can obtain.
“So we’re just going to make sure that we do that and we’re working really hard with the NRL to get that finalised.
“We’d like to think that’d get done before the next Origin.”
Pickett
Guest
Great signing for the Sharks. They look quite strong next year.
steveng
Roar Rookie
You could go and get Carney back, he leaves Maloney and Pearce for dead. Whatever happened to Carney's contract with the Sharks and the unfair dismissal that he was going to pursue in court?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Everybody's talking about the Bird.
jamesb
Guest
He still is.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I have thought Hodkinson seems up Cronulla's alley.
Bonza
Guest
Whatever goose thought paying overs for Barba was a good idea? Flanagan must've had a say in it which is worrying as it shows alarming judgement. Maloney will be 30 next year. Until they recruit younger players with a focus on outside backs Cronulla will be at best a pest team to play against.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Thanks Pot. That is the most hilarious thing I have seen in ages. Those figures are awesome. Milford a million plus TPA's. Boyd 750. Hunt 500, Reed 400. Great stuff. Obviously a very intelligent and well informed individual. What has the coaches salary got to do with anything?
Pot Stirrer
Guest
.and the Broncos are under the cap, they rorted RL were cuaght and decieved there way out of being investiated. Millford, 1MIL Boyd 750k Hodges 750 k Thaiday 600 k Parker 550 k Hunt 500k Reed 400k All plus TPA and a Coach on 1.5m, And u winge about the roosters
Don
Roar Rookie
Get Gallen to retire from rep footy and focus on his club and the potential starting team looks great. Gordon's goal kicking is relaced with Maloney's so nothing lost there either.
littleredrooster
Guest
But not Mitchell Pearce?
Jay C
Roar Guru
Sure. I don't care. They have a million dollars. Great.
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
If they get Chad Townsend they will have a gun half pairing next season
SpongeBob
Guest
I thought Bird was the word?
Don
Roar Rookie
Jay To be fair, the amount they have available to spend on new players for the 2016 season is what they budgeted / offered to pay these guys for next year. The planned player shuffling and clearing of cap space would have been done to accommodate them in the budget. If these guys were released immediately then you would be right in saying they only have available what these guys were being paid today (outside of TPAs.) That is what they would have available to sign someone before the June 30 deadline.
CNS
Guest
They would have to have some money left over from sonny bill leaving and Minnie retiring. They would of been on decent money.
Jay C
Roar Guru
They don't have $970K, that is false logic. They have whatever the players that left were being paid. Just because you offer players x amount doesn't mean that money exists out of nowhere. I can't imagine Manly had the money to keep both halves, they still offered them both hoping one would accept. I have no doubts that TPA's unfairly advantage the Broncos. I'm not the one denying it. The Roosters probably haven't broken any rules, but there can be no doubt they hold a major advantage over just about every other team.
Muzz
Guest
What's the difference Jay? They now have $970k to potentially sign a super star FB. Will you throw the rest of your toys on the ground if this happens? What's always conveniently missing in these discussions are the players they've released.I couldn't be bothered listing them AGAIN to satisfy the tr olls. Isn't your team winning the comp at present with the Roosters sitting in 5th? Perhaps the spotlight should be shifted further north.
Jay C
Roar Guru
It doesn't free up $970K if they weren't on $970K. As I have heard time and time again RTS and Maloney weren't on anywhere near that kind of money. You guys keep claiming everyone was 'signed young for peanuts', but they surely will have be upgraded eventually. Gus can't keep paying Jennings salary. Ferguson was only on a 12 month contract, and their would be plenty of interest in him. I don't know who else is off contract but they would just about all be looking for upgrades.
Muzz
Guest
How so Jay? The Roosters offered RTS $520K a year and Maloney $450K which they both rejected and signed for significantly more elsewhere. That free's up $970K a season plus the salary cap will increase. Hastings will replace Jimmy and is already under contract. Next years backline likely to look like this Ferguson Tupou Jennings SKD Burgess Hastings Pearce or this Hayne/Folau/Slater/B Stewart Tupou Jennings Ferguson SKD Hastings Pearce
jamesb
Guest
.....and their below average assistant coach.