An intermediary approached Eels officials about signing Lewis last month, when his disappointment over losing the Panthers captaincy was most acute.Having missed out on Tony Williams, Beau Scott and Graham, Parramatta are still keen for strike on the edges and have deeper pockets than most of the suitors.
Canterbury might have matched them had Krisnan Inu and Sam Perrett not been signed on mid-season transfers.
The Bulldogs also discussed making an approach to Lewis a month ago, but no longer have the necessary cap space after
re-signing two members of their current forward pack and making a call to
retain in-form halfback Kris Keating.
THE CONTENDERS
Sharks ($2.50): Lewis spent last weekend with Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen. He would also adapt well in the Shire, alongside former Panthers team-mates Wade Graham and Michael Gordon next year. The only question mark is the distance he’d have to travel to training.
Tigers ($3): Last month, Lewis travelled 50km to attend the funeral of Robbie Farah’s mother Sonia. The pair are incredibly tight and starring together in Origin would have fuelled a desire to do so at club level. Lewis is also a close mate of Tigers and Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens, who customarily nominates the utility as being one of the first players picked for Australia.
Eels ($4.50): In targeting Tony Williams, Beau Scott and Wade Graham, Parramatta exposed their desire to recruit a hard-running back-rower. There’s no better customer in that department than Lewis and the cashed-up Eels will be out to sign him ASAP.
Rabbitohs ($6): Co-owner Russell Crowe wined and dined Lewis to within an inch of defecting to Redfern in 2008. Only an eleventh-hour change of heart convinced Lewis to backflip. He’s only excelled as a player since, but Crowe has already signed Ben Te’o to fill Dave Taylor’s shoes.
Dragons ($8): Have more space under next year’s cap than most of their rivals, after missing out on marquee buys Cooper Cronk and Brett Stewart. They will be another club throwing big bucks at Lewis from the outset.
Knights ($8): Like Parramatta, Newcastle has lacked raw intimidation in the forwards this year. Beau Scott’s arrival will address that, but Lewis would go a much bigger step further should Wayne Bennett not re-sign Chris Houston.
Roosters ($15): With 2013 recruits Sonny Bill Williams and James Maloney adding almost $1 million to next year’s cap, the Roosters won’t find it easy to fit Lewis in a pack bursting with promise. The 28-year-old’s age also exceeds the club’s youth recruitment policy.
Bulldogs ($26): Were extremely interested a month ago, but the mid-season recruitments of Sam Perrett and Krisnan Inu have squeezed their 2013 cap
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s-tough-decision/story-e6frexqi-1226422058002
I know I know no more transfers after June 30!!!
