The Round 4 Teams in the NTFL Premiership >> Page
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Just FootyFRIDAY PREVIEW Bringing Former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide star Daniel Motlop at Wanderers training at Wulagi Oval yesterday as the NTFL premiers prepare for Sam back tomorrow night’s big game against the unbeaten Southern Districts at TIO Stadium could see Picture: IVAN RACHMAN Walker go DEAN RITCHIE TEST centre Dylan Walker faces the prospect of being squeezed out at Redfern to accommodate the potential return of Sam Burgess to South Sydney. As reported last month, the Rabbitohs are on the verge of luring Burgess back to the NRL, either for next season or in 2017. But the 2014 NRL champions will almost cer- tainly have to shed a high-paid player to accommodate his switch under the salary cap. Walker’s position is under All the Round scrutiny following last month’s prescription drug scandal. For- wards Chris McQueen and 4 teams in Tim Grant are two other play- ers who could be forced out of Redfern. the NTFL Walker is off contract at the end of next season, while Manly are still looking for a premiership five-eighth to replace Parra- matta’s Kieran Foran. Burgess’ probable return to >> Page 34 Souths gathered momentum yesterday when his English rugby union club Bath granted him leave to resolve his future. One well-placed English source said: “He is considering his future in rugby union.” Manly would have some room in their salary cap for Walker should hooker Matt Ballin shift to Wests Tigers as a potential replacement for out- of-favour Robbie Farah. MOTLOP It is believed Burgess wants to leave rugby union after a modest stint which lasted less than a year. The Rabbitohs would wel- come Burgess for next season but may have to wait until 2017 to be reunited with the star back-rower. Any transfer fee paid to Bath would not be in- SET FOR cluded in Souths’ salary cap. Bath are yet to formally re- lease Burgess, preventing any move for now. Should Burgess play for Bath this coming sea- son, his playing commitments would end around April. There are suggestions he could then be released and play with a Super League club – most likely Leeds – for the re- CROCS maining half of next season be- fore shifting back to Australia in 2017. DRASTIC WALLABY BLATTER CHANGE PROP TO BAGS USA, TO DRAW RETURN PLATINI FOR 2016 FOR FINAL AND POMS AFL >>P36 Rugby >>P37 Soccer >>P38 V1 - NTNE01Z01MA.