Brisbane Broncos eye Dragons star Trent Merrin as Corey Parker replacement
THE Broncos are chasing NSW Origin forward Trent Merrin as part of their plan to cover the eventual retirement of co-captain Corey Parker.
Merrin, 25, was first identified as a possible recruit by former Brisbane operations chief Andrew Gee, who resigned last month.
The interest remains genuine, with Broncos officials recently performing due diligence on the highly-rated Merrin to learn if he would fit the club’s culture.
The 104kg prop or back-rower is one of the code’s most promising young forwards, averaging 142 metres and 37 tackles per game this season.
A mobile forward with brilliant footwork and a good offload, Merrin made his Origin debut as a 21-year-old in 2011.
He is now a key member of the Blues and will play his 10th match in Origin III on Wednesday week at Suncorp Stadium.
In time, the Broncos are keen for Merrin to settle in Queensland.
The Wollongong junior is off-contract at the end of next season, meaning Brisbane cannot table a formal offer until November 1 in their plan to sign him for the 2016 season.
However, rival clubs are hoping he will not see out his current deal.
Merrin is one of the lowest-paid Origin players this year, rumoured to be earning less than $250,000 a season, and was unhappy to be overlooked for the Dragons’ leadership group.
The Broncos are no certainties to secure Merrin given they are one of up to seven clubs who have the forward on their hit-list.
“There is plenty of interest in Trent,’’ his manager Wayne Beavis said yesterday. “He’s an Origin player, he’s young, he’s in the prime of his career.
“I’d say he’s on a few clubs’ hit list but Trent is secure for the short-term so we can’t take offers yet.’’
Merrin’s attraction for the Broncos is his versatility. He has the ability to play prop, back-row or lock, which would give them flexibility with their interchange rotation.
At 32, Parker recently signed until the end of 2016, but the Broncos need an ironman successor and Merrin fits the bill.
Former Broncos and Queensland hooker Kerrod Walters said Merrin would be a handy addition to Brisbane's ranks.
“Merrin’s an Origin player and you don’t play Origin if you don’t have ability,’’ he said.
“He’s one of those guys with good footwork who is able to get through the line and offload.
“If you have quality players available and they are keen to come, you have to go after them.
“He’s got a bit of size about him too. He’s just played in a winning Origin series so he’d be a good asset for the Broncos.’’
