HULL KR: Exclusive – Clinton on cards for KR
HULL KR are leading the race to land Brisbane's Joel Clinton after staging advanced talks about a move to Craven Park, the Mail understands.
The Broncos prop has been repeatedly linked with the Robins during the off-season.
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Hull KR target Joel Clinton in action for Brisbane
And Rovers have moved in quickly after the NRL club admitted they are willing to allow the 27-year-old to leave.
It is thought KR will face competition from two other Super League clubs for the former Test star's signature.
But the Mail understands Justin Morgan's strong relationship with Clinton's agent, David Riolo, will swing the deal in KR's favour.
Riolo already represents a big contingent of KR's overseas stars, helping to sign Ben Galea, Clint Newton, Michael Dobson, Michael Vella and Jake Webster.
As Brisbane's highest-paid forward on £152,000-a-season, Clinton's signing may raise a few eyebrows following recent revelations over KR's finances.
The Mail understands KR are still negotiating about his salary and length of deal.
But having off-loaded Nick Fozzard, Daniel Fitzhenry, Stanley Gene and Makali Aizue to make space on the salary cap for a big-name signing, this deal will again take the Robins close to the £1.7m limit.
Should Clinton sign, his arrival may also leave Rovers having to be prudent with finances at the end of next season.
A string of the club's highest-paid stars see their deals expire at the end of 2010, including Ben Galea, Paul Cooke, Chev Walker and Jake Webster.
This may allow the Robins to re-evaluate their spending levels for the long-term.
Clinton is out of contract at Broncos at the end of 2010 and has been concerned for some time that he will not get an extension.
As first reported on www.sporthull.co.uk yesterday, Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen has said the club will consider releasing Clinton, and that a number of clubs have been chasing his signature.
"I've spoken to Joel's manager and he asked if Joel got a good deal going forward, would we consider letting him go," said Cullen.
"We've said, like we have in the past with numerous players, that we'd certainly consider it. We don't like holding people back.
"Joel is being sought after by overseas clubs.
"We haven't spoken about an extension with Joel (for 2011). He's got a year to go and his future beyond that at the Broncos is unknown at this stage."
107 Comments
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by karl thordarson, brisbane Australia
Sunday, November 29 2009, 6:50AM
“To be honest we will be glad to see the back of him, it will free up some of our salary cap. Hull FC have signed much better forwards in Mark O¿Meley & Craig Fitzgibbon ask anybody who watches the NRL.”
by darren., hull
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 8:35AM
“whatdoyouknow. are you capable of reading a post properly,i said they were glad to get rid of o'meley ,fitzgibbon not. now off to school you dummy.”
by xmas, stocking
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 7:26AM
“sexy red,you mean noel clinton,its not going to happen im afraid,they havnt even approached either him or his club,as morgan has stated they are not approaching his club,in his words they have more irons in the fire,methinks thinks they are coming the old soldier,you know plenty of publicity but nothing happens.”
by what do you, know
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 7:17AM
“darren hull,im beginning to wonder if you know what your talking about when you say they were glad to get rid of fitzgibbon,well your wrong a crowd of 15,000 stopped behind to wish fitzgibbon well,three weeks later a civic reception was held in his honour,its all on you tube,a great player for them and he was still held in high esteem by the club and fans,maybe thats why he has 19 aussie caps eh,by the way o meley has 15 caps how many did the great vella have a mere 5,lol”
by Sexy Red, The Sporting Bet Stadium !
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 11:07PM
“Christmas is coming,So please Father Christmas put JOEL CLINTON in my sack,”
by old faithful, hull
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 9:04PM
“gouba, you seem an intelligent bloke. Just got back from taking your Staffies for a walk ? You seem as green as your away shirts for next season. Anyway, shouldn't you be getting ready for your shift at Valentino's ?”
by slammer, EHIW
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 8:24PM
“groveller, it is gratifying to know that you will be our redeemer when all else fails. Likewise, I will be a shoulder to cry on when the tide turns against Mr Agar and Fcs Board and 'protest' rises from where ever he crawled into and carries out his feeble threat.”
by old crapfull, hull
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 8:22PM
“you say horns testa is all ticket why are h.d.m giving you another 5000 tickets?”
by gouba, east hull
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 8:15PM
“old crapfull with any luck yr team of divis might win this one, 7 out of 10, 10-5 over and out”
by no cups against the big boys, for 23 years
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 8:11PM
“redd revolution how can you have the audacity to call hullfc a mongrel club when they merged with a rugby league club? its same pedigree.hull kr merged with a football side whats football got to do with rugby league? talking about the pot calling the kettle black.say what you like but youve won nothing and done nothing same as us since your promotion to super league. in hull kr jargon you get nothing for finishing 4th catalans and wigan progressed further in the playoffs than you from 8th and 6th respectively. so basically youve done the same as fc nothing. in the two derbys last season you beat a poor fc side by 4pts at kc equal tries, missed kicks. and 6 at craven park a game justin morgan said you was fortunate to win. you wasnt much better than us.weve a very good pack and scrum half and full back in 2010 and will be competitive again. we will be well prepared its agars team. 2009 carvell changed his mind, no crocker ,lauiki didnt come while2 games left. take equivalent players vella, galea and newton out your team would have been a very different story. as will 2010 for fc.”