Transfer Gossip 18

by James Gordon 13 May 2010

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With all the recent coach announcements, a few players have been getting unsettled in the rugby league world. Here's some of the latest gossip.

Brett Finch, Melbourne to Catalans
Catalans Dragons have made a bid to bring the Melbourne Storm half-back Brett Finch to the Super League this season, primarily to boost their hopes of reaching a second Challenge Cup final at Wembley. The Dragons, who are strong favourites to reach the semi-finals after being drawn away at Swinton or Batley in the last eight, hope to capitalise on the salary-cap scandal that has engulfed the National Rugby League champions, and effectively left all their players open to offers. Finch's agent confirmed to the Australian press overnight that the playmaker has been approached by a Super League club to leave Melbourne immediately, and a Storm official admitted that they could not stand in his way as they cannot afford to keep him beyond the end of this season. (Source: The Guardian)

Kevin Brown, Huddersfield to Wigan
Rumours over in Lancashire have been suggesting Wigan could be about to make an audacious bid to bring Giants stand-off Kevin Brown back to the DW Stadium. The issue has helped raise the stakes, despite both clubs having denied any substance to the reports, ahead of Sunday’s contest, and Brown is known to be very happy in Huddersfield and made it clear he intends to see out the two years of his Giants contract. (Source: Huddersfield Examiner)

Josh Perry, Manly to St Helens
St Helens will make Australia prop Josh Perry their first major signing for next season. Saints are close to finalising a three-year deal for Josh Perry, 29, who is being squeezed out by salary-cap pressures at Manly. His capture will represent a major coup for Saints as they search for a new coach to succeed Mick Potter. (Source: Daily Express)

Luke Burgess, Leeds to NRL
Gareth Ellis, who has just signed a new two-year deal with Wests, may be joined in Australia next year by the current Rhinos forward Luke Burgess and several other British players, according to Burgess's younger brother Sam, who joined South Sydney from Bradford last autumn and will face Ellis and the former Wigan second-row Mark Flanagan when Souths play the Tigers this weekend. "I'd love to see more English players come here to test themselves," Burgess told the Brisbane Courier Mail. "My older brother Luke actually wants to get out here as soon as possible, so who knows?"

Nathan Brown, Huddersfield to St George
Dragons fans wouldn't be surprised if Nathan Brown made a re-entry to the NRL coaching ranks as an assistant to Wayne Bennett next year. Brown yesterday announced he would finish up as coach of English club Huddersfield at the end of this season - a year ahead of his contract running out - and return to Australia for family reasons. The development immediately prompted speculation as to where Brown might end up, since he wants to continue his coaching career, with several clubs mentioned as possibilities for head coaching or assistant roles. (Source: Sydney Morning Herald)

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