7th Tackle - with Josh Massoud and Liam Cox
TACKLE 1 – Parker Marooned
Queensland players weren't aware of Corey Parker's retirement until he took the floor following a team meeting on Sunday night. Like the rest of the rugby league community, they didn't see the evergreen forward hanging up the boots in the midst of such a form renaissance.
The popular theory is that Parker received the dreaded tap from Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, whose icy touch has spelled the end for other club greats such as Wally Lewis, Trevor Gillmeister and Gorden Tallis.
Supporting this theory is the fact Parker had been openly talking about signing a two-year extension. But the grey fox can also be a sly fox. Parker has since told friends he's been considering retirement for the past three months, aware his battered 34-year-old frame could fail on him with little notice. Parker has also become a savvy media operator.
He was left scowling when The Courier Mail got the scoop about him being appointed Broncos captain before the official announcement in February. The only way he could avoid similar embarrassment over his own retirement was to convince everyone he intended to play on.
And proving that Parker had retirement in mind for some time is the fact that publisher Pan McMillan is working to have his autobiography released later this year. The company began contacting prospective ghost writers this week. The timing - two days before Queensland's home game - did raise some eyebrows in the Maroons camp; and smiles from the Blues. NSW certainly won't be sad to see the polarising Parker go. They'll never forgive him for demanding respect from David Klemmer in last year's series.
TACKLE 2 – Greener pastures beckon for Manly
Struggling Manly has finally put its cards on the table in a bid to sign a halves partner for Daly Cherry-Evans. We've been told the club has made a $700,000 offer to poach Melbourne five-eighth Blake Green on a two-year deal.
The problem is that Green would prefer to stay in Bleak City. He's struck up a slick combination with Cooper Cronk at the Storm and like just about every player who has worn purple, loves playing under Craig Bellamy.
But fledgling Manly coach Trent Barrett also has his appeal. The pair played one season together at the Sharks in 2009. Green has already met with Manly officials in person - and is now waiting on the Storm to make a call. Melbourne won't be able to match the Sea Eagles' offer, but there is an opening in the halves for 2017 with Luke Keary joining the Roosters and recruitment staff going cold on Broncos utility Kodi Nikorima.
Manly also face a fight to retain improved prop Siosaia Vava, with Parramatta showing interest in the 115kg Tongan. The Sea Eagles have re-signed speedster Brayden Williame for another two years, and are also in talks to snare young Raiders talent Brenko Lee.
TACKLE 3 – McLean the man for Cowboys
It's little wonder Melbourne are taking great care with their recruitment; the club is pushing toward a critical point with its monster forward pack. All the star big men - Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris, Dale Finucane and Jordan McLean are off contract at the end of next year.
The quartet are now regarded as elite players; each worth well in excess of $500,000 on the open market. And having just lost James Tamou to Penrith, North Queensland have that type of coin to spare up front.
Our spies in the tropics tell us coach Paul Green is particularly keen on McLean, whose partner just happens to hail from the deep north as well. His body shape and athleticism is similar to Tamou, and it also didn't go un-noticed among NSW selectors.
Roosters prop Sam Moa could be another option as it now seems highly unlikely he'll be staying at Bondi Junction.
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