Expansion bid could be thwarted by
Anti Tampering deadline

A 16th franchise will be forced to field a "reserve grade" side unless the NRL grants it a dispensation to negotiate with off-contract players before next year's proposed October anti-tampering deadline.

The idea of pushing back the June 30 deadline to the day after the NRL grand final will be discussed at a chief executives' meeting at the end of this year.

If approved, it would prove disastrous for any new franchise, which would have only a few weeks to recruit players before pre-season training starts.

Gold Coast consortium director Michael Searle said today he had spoken to NRL chief executive David Gallop about the 16th franchise being granted special leave to approach off-contract players from July, 2005.

Such a move would undoubtedly face stiff opposition from existing NRL clubs, which would get a second bite at the cherry after the 16th team.

But when asked about a dispensation, a non-committal Gallop said: "I'm not sure at this stage. It's something to be considered."

The Central Coast, Wellington and favourite the Gold Coast are in the race to enter the NRL competition from 2006, with a decision likely in August.

"They'll need some kind of dispensation, otherwise they'd be fielding a reserve grade side, if that," said player-manager Mike Newton, who negotiated Ben Kennedy's move from Newcastle to Manly.

Searle said the denial of a special dispensation to the 16th team would make recruitment more difficult but "we'll jump through the hoops we're given to jump through".

"We'd prefer a level playing field but I would imagine there might be some kind of concession to say if it was a post-October trade date that the new licence may be able to go on the market in July perhaps," Searle said.

"If there's no dispensation, what it means for us is we just have to assemble a side a lot quicker."

Russell Tate, a member of the Central Coast consortium led by high-profile Sydney businessman John Singleton, said it would be "tough but not impossible" to forge a competitive side in just "six weeks".

"I certainly hope that's not imposed on us or, if we're not successful, anyone else," said Tate.

Newton and fellow player-manager Allan Gainey believe the NRL will reject the push to shift the anti-tampering deadline.

"It's a furphy - the players won't let it happen," said Gainey, who manages the Dolphins' key target Preston Campbell.

"With the process involved in negotiations and relocation, you can't do it.

"The clubs have the players back on the eighth of November and sometimes earlier to have them training again. How's it going to happen?"

Gallop has opposed the idea of a July trading window, saying it fails to solve the problem of disenchanted fans discovering their favourite player won't be at their club next year.

But Searle says for every disappointed fan, there is a jubilant one who knows their club will be stronger next season.

"Despite the fact the Bulldogs are upset at losing Steve Price, the Warriors fans are quite buoyed that they've been able to secure Steven Price and Ruben Wiki," he pointed out.

Wiki's fellow Kiwi international Stephen Kearney confirmed he would head to English club Hull at the end of the season where the 32-year-old will link with friend and former Melbourne teammate Richard Swain.

Test, NSW and Newcastle winger Timana Tahu will consult club doctor Neil Halpin on Friday to seek a second opinion on whether he needs season-ending ankle surgery.

But Knights coach Michael Hagan said it was "not looking great at this stage" after Tahu, who will play for Parramatta next season, visited foot specialist Dr James O'Sullivan on Thursday.

"It's typical of our year," lamented Hagan, who welcomes back international Ben Kennedy and Steve Simpson for Sunday's clash with Brisbane at EnergyAustralia Stadium.