COWBOYS’ BID TO ROPE STAR BRONCO:
ORIGIN ENFORCER SET FOR MO VE TO COWBOYS
COWBOYS director of football Peter Parr has confirmed the club’s interest in Broncos hardman Josh McGuire, with the club understood to have offered the Test and Origin player a lucrative four- year deal.
McGuire’s potential arrival would give the Cowboys another world- class middle forward alongside Test stars Jordan McLean, Jason Taumalolo and 251- game stalwart Matt Scott, who is off contract at season’s end.
“There’s been no secret that we’re looking for a middle forward and Josh is one player that we have spoken to his management, among others,” Parr told the Townsville Bulletin yesterday.
McGuire has played 194 NRL games and has 11 State of Origin and 15 Test caps to his name.
COWBOYS director of football Peter Parr has confirmed the club’s interest in Broncos hardman Josh McGuire, but has strongly rejected claims veteran prop Matt Scott is on the verge of retirement.
The Cowboys are chasing McGuire for the 2019 season on a deal – believed to be a lucrative four- year package – as they look to bolster their front row stocks.
McGuire has three years remaining on his current contract with the Broncos, but it is understood the club would grant him a release for a move to North Queensland.
McGuire has played 194 games for the Broncos since debuting in 2009.
He has also appeared in 11 State of Origin games for the Maroons and 15 Tests for Australia.
NRL. com reported yesterday the 28- year- old had contacted his Broncos teammates from Fiji where he is holidaying to tell them he has played his last game for the club.
Parr told the Townsville Bulletin the Cowboys have had discussions with McGuire’s management, but he denied they had already reached an agreement which would see him join them as soon as next season.
“There’s been no secret that we’re looking for a middle forward and Josh is one player that we have spoken to his management, among others,” Parr said.
“While we’ve had discussions there’s been no decision made yet on whether that will end up going forward.
“To say that we have an agreement with him or that he’s definitely coming is just premature at this stage.”
McGuire’s potential ar- rival would give the Cowboys another world- class middle forward alongside Test stars Jordan McLean and Jason Taumalolo and 251- game stalwart Scott, who is offcontract at season’s end.
Scott is recovering from neck surgery for the second time in four seasons and the rumours continue to swirl about his playing future after being restricted to 18 games last season. The 33year- old trained with the rehab group as he returned for pre- season on Monday, but Parr was adamant the club’s interest in McGuire was not an indication of Scott’s fitness.
“The middle of the field is where your attrition is with either injury or suspension,” Parr said.
“We felt that we were probably one player short there. That’s why we’ve been having a look around.
“But those discussions that we’ve had with different agents and different players have got nothing to do with Matt Scott’s injury.
“Matt Scott’s a legend at this club and we expect him to come back as good as ever and play a lot of games next year.”
THERE’S BEEN NO SECRET THAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR A MIDDLE FORWARD AND JOSH IS ONE PLAYER THAT WE HAVE SPOKEN TO HIS MANAGEMENT, AMONG OTHERS PETER PARR