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St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has confirmed that NRL and NSW State of Origin star Tariq Sims has been told he can look elsewhere as the club is thought to be looking at a Penrith rival to fill his boots.
Sims may have played his last game for the Dragons after his season ended on a horrible note on Saturday night, taken to hospital after a head clash with South Sydney’s Jacob Host with a deep cut to his lip.
Still contracted until the end of next season, the NSW State of Origin second-rower approached the Dragons for an extension until the end of 2023.
The Dragons have decided they are not willing to commit that far down the track with the 31-year-old, opening the door for him to depart if he finds another suitor.
“He is a senior player and on contract next year. But that’s something for both him and his management to have a chat about,” Griffin said.
“His management had a chat to our management a couple of weeks ago.
“He is contracted to us until the end of next year. As I understand it at the moment they have given him permission to look around.
“Nothing is ever off the table, it was just a conversation that happened a few weeks ago.”
Triple M reported on Saturday that the latest development is a pointer the Dragons will try to sign Panthers’ Viliame Kikau, who is off-contract at the end of 2022.
“I know Hook suggested they weren’t interested but people have told me they will be when the time comes,” journalist Brent Read said on Triple M.
“November 1 they can actually speak to Viliame Kikau and I’d imagine he is right at the top of their list of players if Tariq goes that they can make an immediate play for.
“They won’t be the only club. There’ll be a handful of clubs going hard at Viliame and Penrith have a fight on their hands to keep him. That Tariq Sims situation will be a pointer that the Dragons will have a red-hot go at Viliame Kikau.”
Griffin’s admission came after the Dragons’ sorry second half to the season was finally put to rest with the 20-16 loss on Saturday night.
Sat seventh headed into their bye, the Dragons lost eight straight to spiral down the ladder after Paul Vaughan’s infamous party.
Sims was one of those not to attend the July get-together as he prepared to enter Origin camp.
Saturday’s defeat took the losing streak to the longest in the joint-venture’s history.
Griffin admitted the team only had themselves to blame for the way they had fallen away, while also pointing to the absence of the injured Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough.
Meanwhile, he backed Corey Norman to find another NRL contract after playing his last game for the club.
Griffin coached Norman early on at the Broncos, and kept him in the Dragons’ starting side even as St George Illawarra’s season fell by the wayside.
“I can’t fault his effort off the field,” Griffin said.
“He is a bit of a polarising figure Corey, everyone has an opinion. I think he would do a job somewhere else. He still has something to offer.
“I know he has a few opportunities over in England and there are a couple of clubs having a look at him here.
“I certainly think he has another year or two in him.”
© AAP
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