EXCLUSIVE: THE Warriors have missed out on securing the services of Kiwis and Storm hard-hitter Jeff Lima, who now looks set to sign a deal with the Tigers.
The Storm prop is contracted to the Melbourne outfit for two more years but has been told the club will consider releasing him if he wants out.
His agent Sam Ayoub recently had discussions with the Warriors about the possibility of signing Lima but it's understood his preference would be to move back to Sydney.
"A little while ago, for personal reasons, Jeff asked if he could be released so he could move back to Sydney," Ayoub told Sunday News yesterday.
"Melbourne knocked him back at the time and said they wouldn't release him. As it turned out, he's sorted out his personal issues and remained down there.
"However, Melbourne have since come back and said they would consider letting him go to Sydney if he wants to.
"I spoke with (Warriors CEO) Wayne Scurrah and the Warriors did express an interest in Jeff.
"To be honest, though, I did convey to them that if Jeff was to leave the Storm it would be for the purpose of moving to Sydney."
Ayoub said it was possible Lima, who played for the Tigers in 2004, would move back to his old club.
"We've had some discussions with the Tigers just as we've had some talks with some other Sydney-based clubs as well," he said.
"In a sense, if it worked out, Jeff's initial preference would be to move to the Tigers because that's where he's come from and he has some very good friends there.
"It's for that reason we are potentially leaning towards the Tigers if we can make it happen."
