Melbourne Storm warn rivals off Cooper Cronk

Cronulla and Parramatta have been warned away from Storm halfback Cooper Cronk after new Melbourne chief executive Ron Gauci complained to the NRL about rival clubs approaching the Kangaroos and Maroons star.

Gauci, who is expected to hold discussions with salary cap auditor Ian Schubert about the Storm's plans to retain the test and Origin quartet of Cronk, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater while in Sydney for today's club chief executives meeting, sent an email to Schubert advising that the 26-year-old playmaker would not be released.

Schubert yesterday forwarded the email to all 15 NRL clubs reminding them that Cronk was under contract with the Storm and had not been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

The move follows speculation Cronk has been offered A$800,000 per season to leave Melbourne, with the Sharks and Eels having expressed strong interest in obtaining his services. Newcastle and Manly would also be keen on a halfback of Cronk's calibre, while he has also been linked to rugby union.

However, Cronk has repeatedly said he was not interested in leaving the Storm and intended seeing out the remaining three years of his deal.

Smith and Slater also do not want to leave but Inglis's future remains up in the air, with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy determined to retain all of his star quartet but the Storm's owner, News Ltd, reportedly wanting to force at least one of them out of the club because of the salary cap scandal.

Brisbane and Gold Coast are keen on Inglis but neither can match his full A$660,000 per season contract with Melbourne, meaning the Storm would have to pay any shortfall and carry it in their salary cap for the next two seasons.

According to Rugby League Week, News Ltd has told Storm management that if the four stay together there will be a perception nothing has changed in the wake of the salary cap rorts that cost the club two premierships and the ability to play for competition points this season.

The Storm need to cut up to A$1.225 million in player payments to get under next year's salary cap and representative forwards Ryan Hoffman and Jeff Lima have already been released to Wigan.

NSW State of Origin prop Brett White's proposed move to Canberra on a three-year contract is also now believed to be a virtual done deal, with the deal only awaiting approval from the NRL's salary cap audit team.

The recruitment of White will bolster an imposing Raiders forward pack that already features Origin props David Shillington and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.

White is still contracted to the Storm for two seasons. To be released from the remainder of that contract, the NRL would need to allow any shortfall between what the Storm had planned to pay him and what the Raiders will pay to be counted in this year's blown cap.

The recruitment of White will signal the end of the career of Canberra stalwart Troy Thompson, who will pursue a career at another club or retire.

News of White's signing comes three days before the Raiders are due to meet the Storm in Melbourne.

Canberra fullback Josh Dugan failed to train with his teammates yesterday and instead had scans on his corked shoulder blade.

Dugan is expected to travel with the team, but coach David Furner has already started devising back-up plans if Dugan is unable to play. Daniel Vidot and David Milne both trained as cover for Dugan.

- © Fairfax NZ News