Melbourne Storm locked in talks to secure State of Origin star for 2022
St George Illawarra forward Tariq Sims will join the Melbourne Storm for the 2023 NRL campaign but there is a chance he could be on the move before then.
Sims was told last year he would not be getting a new contract with the Dragons. Indeed he could have been on the move in the off-season had he found a new home.
The New South Wales State of Origin representative ended up staying where he was. Sims was prepared to see the remainder of his contract out and leave at the end of the season.
Melbourne Storm want Sims now
But only last week he revealed how he still felt at the top of his game. He did not rule out the possibility of signing a new deal with the Dragons either.
Rumours of Melbourne Storm’s interest has been doing the rounds for some time. Craig Bellamy is in need of options for next season as Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi are leaving.
Sims would help fill the void and it would appear a deal has been agreed. However according the Channel 9’s Danny Weidler a switch could happen much sooner.
The Storm are currently without Christian Welch and Tui Kamikamica and Sims would be a great addition. But there is much work to be done.
The salary cap seems to be an issue for the rest of 2022 for Melbourne. They may not be able to accommodate Sims’ reported $800,000 salary this year. It could mean the Dragons have to pay a chunk of his wages to get the deal done.
But according to Weidler talks are continuing in the hope an immediate switch could happen.
“Melbourne want Tariq Sims playing for them now,” Weidler told Channel 9. “They want him to boost their team now and I think it could happen.
“There are talks underway between Sims, Melbourne and the Dragons to make it happen. It would be a fantastic result for the Storm. Not so much the Dragons. I think they will miss his extreme strength and utility value.”
State of Origin hopes
The Dragons have won just two of their six games so far this season. But still Sims has found himself in and out of the side.
The 32-year-old would now jump at the chance of and early switch. He knows it would boost his chances of playing Origin in 2022.
Blues coach Brad Fittler likes to pick players who play in a winning side. So a switch to the second-placed Storm would be a move in the right direction.