Storm might release Lima to Tigers
Glenn Jackson | October 3, 2009
GRAND FINAL prop Jeff Lima could play his final match for Melbourne in tomorrow's premiership decider - with the Kiwis international in negotiations with his former club Wests Tigers about a release from his contract.
Lima is believed to be close to securing a deal with the Tigers, but a deal will not be officially done until after the grand final against Parramatta, Lima's third with the club.
Salary cap pressures are a constant problem for the Storm, and while Lima is contracted to the club until the end of 2011, Storm officials did not deny yesterday that a deal between the 27-year-old and the Tigers would be done.
The Tigers are also in negotiations with Jason Cayless, the brother of Eels skipper Nathan, about a return to the NRL. Cayless is returning to Australia after a stint with St Helens.
If the Tigers cannot secure Lima, they are expected to opt for Cayless, another New Zealand Test player.
Tigers officials are believed to have approached their Melbourne counterparts about the prospect of releasing Lima, but agreed that nothing official would happen until after the decider.
''We have made an inquiry, that we would be interested if Melbourne and Jeff were interested, but we respect the fact that he's in a grand final campaign, and we'll pick that up next week, see if there's anything there,'' a Tigers source said.
The development will add more intrigue to the grand final, with the futures of several Parramatta players, including their own Test prop Fuifui Moimoi, as well as halfback Jeff Robson, still up in the air.
Lima only signed a three-year deal midway through last season after being heavily courted by the Bulldogs. He made his first-grade debut with the Tigers in 2004.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/storm-might-release-lima-to-tigers/2009/10/02/1254418712576.html
Cant read to much into that article, not sure this guy has ab=ny actual facts to go by. For starters, Robson was on radio this week saying he's re-signed with Parra.
Maybe i am wrong, but i do know what i heard, and Robson was talking about how happy he is that he's staying at Parra. The deal is probably not done, but he didnt say that.
And yet in today's Telegraph Robson states he signed his first sponsorship deal on thursday and is hoping to sign a contract soon!
You are wrong Sirro - Robson has only said he is hoping to sign! Parra intend to use Kris Keating in the 7 next year!