Rooster looking little more like a Sea Eagle
ROOSTERS halfback Mitchell Pearce moved one step closer to Brookvale yesterday after Manly released five-eighth Blake Green to the New Zealand Warriors.
Green, 31, was contracted for next season but the Sea Eagles agreed he could walk away now and accept a rich three-year deal in Auckland.
Privately, Manly officials had previously said they would not release Green unless the club could attract Pearce.
Green’s release is an obvious sign Manly is confident of signing Pearce, although new Manly CEO Lyall Gorman said the news of Green being released after it emerged Pearce wanted out of the Roosters was “purely coincidental’’. There were unfounded suggestions Pearce had met Manly officials informally over the past few days.
Green’s management had been agitating for a release over the past two months.
Pearce and Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans would form a lethal scrumbase combination.
Cronulla and Newcastle also remain suitors for Pearce.
Manly coach Trent Barrett did not return calls yesterday.
Gorman was adamant last night that the club has not been in talks with Pearce.
“It’s purely coincidental the announcements have come out,” he said.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan was unaware Pearce had requested a release. Sharks players have been in contact with Pearce about a move to the Shire, with Pearce a chance to join NSW teammates Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan in a summer move to the club.