Warriors quiet on chasing de Belin
If the Warriors are chasing the signature of Jack de Belin, subject to him being acquitted of rape charges, they are remaining tight-lipped about it.
The club’s chief executive Cameron George has told Stuff he has no comment and nothing to add on reports the Warriors would table an offer to the St George-Illawarra forward, from the beginning of the 2021 season, if he is acquitted.
De Belin’s rape trial is scheduled for a motion hearing in Wollongong Local Court beginning on Monday which could determine when his case will be heard.
An outcome isn’t expected to be reached in time for the New South Wales representative to be selected for the Dragons’ clash against the Roosters in round seven, although his exile could end in the coming weeks if the result is favourable, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday.
It also reported the Warriors aren’t prepared to wait for the mat- ter to be finalised in court, saying the club have been in talks with de Belin’s management about the terms of a contract which could take effect from next season if he is acquitted.
The offer, which would be voided if a guilty verdict is delivered, was said to be an indication of how keen the club are to lure the 29-year-old across the Tasman.
But Stuff understands Friday’s reports of the club talking about contract terms to de Belin’s management have come as a surprise at Warriors headquarters.
The Tigers are another club said to be keeping an eye on the situation after earmarking de Belin as a potential target.
The Sydney Morning Herald also reported the Warriors are also interested in young Dragons prop Josh Kerr who is baulking at taking up his St George Illawarra option for next season.
The developments come as Englishman James Graham’s imminent departure could be just the beginning of a shake up of the Dragons pack.
Kerr has an option in his Red V contract for 2021 in his favour, but won’t be taking it up in its current form given it doesn’t represent his value as a starting prop.
While his preference is to stay, Kerr would require a significant upgrade for that to happen.
Graham’s 185-game NRL career is poised to end after the Dragons confirmed they will release him to the English Super League as soon as suitable replacement is signed.
St Helens approached the Red V about the prospect of the 34-year-old finishing his career back at the club where it began and the joint-venture outfit won’t stand in their way.
St Helens are keen for a highprofile replacement after granting Luke Thompson an early release to join Canterbury.
New Zealand’s ‘home of netball in the deep south’ will host the 2020 ANZ Premiership Finals Series with all six teams converging on Invercargill in August.
The revised season comes to a conclusion with a triple-header finals series played on Sunday, August 23, at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill.
The top two seeded sides at the end of the regular season will meet in the grand final while the remaining four teams will contest the 3rd/4th and 5th/6th classification matches.
Netball New Zealand head of events Kate Agnew said it was fitting to see the season close at ILT Stadium Southland in front of a passionate fan base.
‘‘There is a huge netballing history in Southland so we are delighted to be able to take the ANZ Premiership showpiece to Invercargill,’’ she said.
‘‘It has certainly been a challenging season for everyone involved but we are looking forward to celebrating the achievements in August, and we know how Invercargill loves to celebrate and support anything netball.’’
The 2020 ANZ Premiership is the first professional women’s league to be back in action in front of live crowds since the COVID-19 lockdown. New Zealand’s leading netballers will contest the 10-week season with matches played every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The first half of the draw sees all games played at the Auckland Netball Centre before the league heads around the country with teams allocated home games from July 30.
● Meanwhile the Mystics beat the Magic, 47-40, in Auckland last night in the first of 28 matches to be played in Auckland.
Back on the middle weekend of March, the Mystics and Magic were both winners, but only one team was going to be able to make it two wins from two.