swag_tiger
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https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/dallin-watene-zelezniak-nrl-wests-tigers-penrith-panthers/1fst0kszumspe1illwt984nuld
LEAGUE
40M AGO
Tigers emerge as favourites for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's signature
WRITTEN BY
SPORTING NEWS
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It has come down to a three-horse race for outgoing Panthers flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, but desperation may just put the Tigers in the box seat.
The Kiwi captain - who has fielded offers from the Tigers, Cowboys and Eels - has been granted permission from Penrith to talk to rival clubs after he was dropped to reserve grade last week.
Parramatta reportedly had their nose in front, the first club to get a deal on the table, however The Australian's Brent Read says the Tigers are working out ways to fit him in their salary cap.
MORE: Blues rookie Cam Murray happy to bide time on the bench and learn from Jake Trbojevic
The Cowboys have lost interest, turning their attention to Storm youngster Scott Drinkwater with plans for Valentine Holmes in the future.
''There are three clubs that have been linked with him predominantly - North Queensland, Parramatta and the Wests Tigers,'' Read told Sporting News.
''My gut feel is the Cowboys have gone in another direction. They've got an interest in Scott Drinkwater, the young Melbourne fullback.
''He's a much cheaper option than Dallin and they want to keep some money for Val Holmes if things don't work out. I get the feeling they will go down the Drinkwater path.
''That leaves the Tigers and Parramatta. My gut feel is the Tigers are the more desperate to land him, the interesting thing is how they are going to make that happen.''
As it stands, the cash-strapped Tigers will need to offload a player to make room for what will likely be a lucrative offer, with Penrith to pay for part of his salary.
Prop Russell Packer has been tossed up, however Read said it was unlikely a club would show interest given his recent form.
''Russell Packer's name has been bandied about. I don't think that will happen. He's got a few years left on a pretty lucrative deal and I can't see anyone picking the tab up on that the way Russell is going playing reserve grade,'' he said.
''They don't have the space at the moment but Michael Maguire is a pretty clever guy and he's had a pretty good relationship with Dallin over the years, obviously he made him New Zealand captain.
''Their issue is finding a player they can move to make it happen. As long as they can find a market for that, I think they will be the club that will land Dallin.''
LEAGUE
40M AGO
Tigers emerge as favourites for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's signature
WRITTEN BY
SPORTING NEWS
Share
It has come down to a three-horse race for outgoing Panthers flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, but desperation may just put the Tigers in the box seat.
The Kiwi captain - who has fielded offers from the Tigers, Cowboys and Eels - has been granted permission from Penrith to talk to rival clubs after he was dropped to reserve grade last week.
Parramatta reportedly had their nose in front, the first club to get a deal on the table, however The Australian's Brent Read says the Tigers are working out ways to fit him in their salary cap.
MORE: Blues rookie Cam Murray happy to bide time on the bench and learn from Jake Trbojevic
The Cowboys have lost interest, turning their attention to Storm youngster Scott Drinkwater with plans for Valentine Holmes in the future.
''There are three clubs that have been linked with him predominantly - North Queensland, Parramatta and the Wests Tigers,'' Read told Sporting News.
''My gut feel is the Cowboys have gone in another direction. They've got an interest in Scott Drinkwater, the young Melbourne fullback.
''He's a much cheaper option than Dallin and they want to keep some money for Val Holmes if things don't work out. I get the feeling they will go down the Drinkwater path.
''That leaves the Tigers and Parramatta. My gut feel is the Tigers are the more desperate to land him, the interesting thing is how they are going to make that happen.''
As it stands, the cash-strapped Tigers will need to offload a player to make room for what will likely be a lucrative offer, with Penrith to pay for part of his salary.
Prop Russell Packer has been tossed up, however Read said it was unlikely a club would show interest given his recent form.
''Russell Packer's name has been bandied about. I don't think that will happen. He's got a few years left on a pretty lucrative deal and I can't see anyone picking the tab up on that the way Russell is going playing reserve grade,'' he said.
''They don't have the space at the moment but Michael Maguire is a pretty clever guy and he's had a pretty good relationship with Dallin over the years, obviously he made him New Zealand captain.
''Their issue is finding a player they can move to make it happen. As long as they can find a market for that, I think they will be the club that will land Dallin.''
