https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...n/news-story/9113809abed9bf466d74309b6e2928f8
Six clubs in shootout for dumped star Jesse Ramien
The Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm have reportedly both registered their interest in signing dumped centre Jesse Ramien.
The Knights star is being forced to sit out the rest of the 2019 season after being told by coach Nathan Brown he did not need to bother showing up for their next training session last week after a falling out between the pair.
Ramien has no shortage of clubs chasing his signature, but a report from Fox Sports’ James Hooper claims the two teams in the competition are right in the mix to bolster their already stacked rosters.
Hooper told Triple M on Sunday the Roosters and Storm have contacted Ramien’s representatives and are in the six-way fight alongside the Bulldogs, Tigers, Sharks and Cowboys.
“I don’t believe Jesse Ramien will have any problems finding a club for next year, in fact I can tell you he has about half a dozen joints lining up trying to get him there for next season,” he said.
“The Roosters have made an inquiry, and I stress it’s only an inquiry.”
NRL legend Mark Geyer responded to the report by advising Ramien to move to the Storm to turn his career around under coach Craig Bellamy after a disappointing season with the Knights.
Geyer said Ramien should even take a pay cut to make the move to the Storm.
He said Ramien would be a bargain for the Storm if the club is able to sign him to a deal worth around $300,000 per season.
However, the Storm responded to the report by claiming they are not in the market for Ramien and are not actively chasing a new centre.
“Contrary to reports in the media, Storm is not chasing the signature of Jesse Ramien,” Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said in a statement released by the club.
“We are well stocked with quality centres.”
Meanwhile, Brown has denied any fallout with Ramien, saying: “sometimes it just doesn’t work out”.
Brown confirmed Ramien was no longer training with the playing group after being given permission on Thursday to negotiate with rivals teams. The decision came just days after Ramien was one of four players dropped for this week’s crucial clash with Manly, sparking reports of a fallout with Brown.
“Jesse Ramien hasn’t had a fallout with the coach,” Brown said on Friday. “(He) hasn’t had a fallout with the team or playing group. It’s not because he hates steak and eggs or whatever everyone wants to say.
“The reality is I made a decision with two-three other very key people in the club that Jesse isn’t happy with our football club so it’s in his best interest not to be here.
“And it’s in our best interests for Jesse not to be here.”
Brown described Ramien as a “decent, young kid”, and said he’d be surprised if the 22-year-old criticised the club over his short-lived stint in the Hunter.
The former Cronulla three-quarter was trumpeted as a star of the future when he arrived at the Knights last year on a two-year deal.
Asked if Ramien would continue training with the team, given there were six games left in the regular season, Brown said: “No, he’s finished up.”
Yet, Brown maintained there was nothing sinister in Ramien’s likely exit. “It just didn’t work out. Player’s happiness has got to be at the top of the tree because that’s when people play their best,” he said.
“We’ll move on from that.”