Put player negotiations on hold as clubs chase off-contract Luke

after finishing with the wooden spoon following Saturday’s final round 44-10 walloping at the hands of the Roosters.

Newcastle is also eying Luke as a potential signing as they consider options to replace Slade Griffin who suffered his fourth season-ending knee injury in July.

The Knights also have young Kiwi Danny Levi on their books but need to bolster their No 9 stocks, while they are also in talks to re-sign other members of their squad. Versatile Warriors bench forward Jazz Tevaga is another free agent currently weighing up approaches from rival clubs, but like Luke hopes to extend his time with the Penrose-based club.

But with the Warriors preparing for Saturday’s do-or-die elimination final against Penrith at ANZ Stadium, the club has put all talks on hold to limit potential distractions ahead of their first playoff appearance in seven years.

“There’s been some negotiations going on with a few guys and younger blokes as well but we’ve just put everybody on hold just while we’re in the playoffs,” said Warriors general manager of football Brian Smith.

“Obviously we don’t want anyone distracted so we’re not going anywhere near player managers at the moment. When we’re done, it’s not that far off one way or the other, it’s only going to be a month even if we get all the way through. So we’re just

Obviously we don’t want anyone distracted so we’re not going anywhere near player managers at the moment. Warriors general manager of football Brian Smith

going to do it that way this time and they’re all cool with that.”

Luke’s manager Bruce Sharrock expects clubs will ramp up their recruitment efforts in the coming weeks.

“There will be a domino effect occurring at some point in the not too distant future which will see a number of players moving clubs,” said Sharrock.

“Until that starts it’s very hard to complete anything.”