Advertisement

7th Tackle: The next big signing coup of 2017?

After Ben Hunt's move to St George Illawarra, is the next biggest signing of 2017 about to be announced?

We're hearing boom Melbourne prop Jordan McLean is a good thing to join the North Queensland Cowboys. The 25-year-old has been in the Cowboys' sights since last July, when they lost James Tamou to Penrith.

Sources in the Far North are confident a deal has been done, but it's unlikely to be publicly confirmed until Matt Scott's future is resolved.

MORE:

A few weeks ago, we would've offered short odds on Scott finishing his career in Newcastle. The Knights had offered a three-year deal worth around $2.5 million, compared to North Queensland's one-year contract with an option for 2019.

We've now heard the Cowboys have boosted their offer and stand an even money chance of keeping their veteran skipper. Talks with Jason Taumalolo are also progressing well.

Jordan McLean. Pic: Getty
Jordan McLean. Pic: Getty

McLean, who could well make his NSW Origin debut this year, is attracted to the Tropics for two reasons. Firstly, his mother Julie lives in Cairns. Secondly, his best friend and former housemate from the Melbourne Storm, Ben Hampton, moved to the Cowboys this year.

Melbourne haven’t given up hope of convincing him to stay – but it would take a backflip of some degree to keep the big fella in Bleak City.

In other recruitment news at the Storm, the club this week re-signed promising back rower Joe Stimson for two years and is close to doing likewise with in-demand Kiwi prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Twitter: @Josh_Massoud and @LiamCox_TV
Twitter: @Josh_Massoud and @LiamCox_TV