Cap forces Copley out

DALE Copley has been told by the Broncos that he will need to find a new club so they can fit James Roberts within the salary cap, with Cowboys coach Paul Green voicing an interest.

Copley has been advised Brisbane cannot remain within their salary cap by including the last year of his contract because they signed another centre, Roberts, for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Several NRL clubs had expressed an interest in Copley, including Parramatta and Melbourne, before yesterday’s announcement of Roberts’ contract, which effectively ended Copley’s service to a club for which he made his first grade debut in 2009.

It is understood Copley has a wish to remain with a Queensland club if he can, but his most important consideration is to go to the strongest club possible.

Green said he had not approached Copley, 24, or his manager, but had noted media reports that the tall centre would will be shipped on by the Broncos to accommodate Roberts, a NSW Origin hopeful.

Asked if the Cowboys could fit Copley within their salary cap for 2016, Green said: “Not just yet … we’d be interested in Dale. I have had a bit to do with him as a kid when he was in the Broncos development squad as a 14 or 15-year-old.

“He’s had a disrupted career. This has all only happened today really, but he’s a good young bloke and has a lot of good football in him.’’

When a player is moved on for salary cap reasons, his team often pays some amount towards his payments at his new club.

When Roberts knocked back a revised offer from the Titans after it was discovered a Titans staffer, since sacked, had himself written the player’s initials on a contract, the Broncos moved with determination to secure the Dally M centre of the year in the face of a Rabbitohs offer.

While his manager Jeremy Donovan said Roberts had taken less money than he could have earned at another club, the Broncos have still to satisfy the NRL that their valuation of him towards the salary cap is realistic.

The Broncos believe no contracted player other than Copley will need to be moved on to satisfy the NRL.

“The Broncos need to submit any contract within five working days,’’ said an NRL spokesman.

“The salary cap auditors will consider the contract in the new year.’’

Donovan said a major consideration for Roberts, 22, was that he could continue to live at the Gold Coast rather than move to Sydney.

Roberts has placed his trust in a fourth NRL club after he was sacked by South Sydney and Penrith before he kicked major goals at the Titans.

“James was incredibly impressed by the humility shown through the whole process by (Broncos CEO) Paul White, Wayne Bennett and (recruitment chief) Peter Nolan,’’ Donovan said.

Broncos coach Bennett ultimately decided he was more likely to win a premiership with the strong, fast Roberts in the centres rather than Copley.

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