St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor is hopeful of retaining Trent Merrin beyond the 2015 NRL season, but admits the NSW State of Origin star’s playing future is out of his hands.
Off contract at the end of next year and eager to settle his future ASAP, Merrin could command around $800,000 at rival clubs.
New Dragons recruitment manager Peter Mulholland last week claimed the joint venture outfit had offered the 25-year-old a record deal for a forward.
Merrin’s manager Wayne Beavis, though, rejected the offer and now the 2010 premiership winner is testing the market, with the Sydney Roosters reportedly interested.
While acknowledging Merrin’s as a sought-after signature and “fantastic” player, McGregor on Tuesday conceded the decision on whether to stay or go was ultimately the player’s.
“Trent’s got to let his manager do the best for him,” McGregor said after putting his charges through another rigorous pre-season training session at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium.
“I’ve got to let my recruitment manager do the best for the club and I’m very optimistic about the outcome there that it will be positive.
“But, if it’s not, that’s just the way it is. That’s the way rugby league is these days. Unfortunately, it’s not always how everyone wants it.
“I’m optimistic that he stays, but it’s not up to me.”
McGregor insisted Merrin’s uncertain future wasn’t unsettling for the Dragons.
“I’ve got no problems with Trent and Trent’s got no problems with me,” he said.
“He knows it’s a business and he knows exactly what I’m about and what I’m trying to shape here and he accepts that.
“We talk every day and that never changes. We’ve known each other for a very long time and our friendship won’t break from that.”
The Dragons are struggling to retain Merrin just weeks after releasing star winger Brett Morris a year early from his contract to link up with his brother Josh at Canterbury.
As tough as it was to see Morris go, McGregor said it ultimately freed the club up financially, which may help keep Merrin in the famous Red V.
“You can’t replace Brett Morris. No one can,” he said.
“The decision he made was strongly that he wanted to play with his brother.
“He had one year left on his contract and financially it was a good situation for us if he wanted to make that decision to leave because I don’t want a player here in that situation.
“If you look at the roster, look at teams who have won grand finals, you need to bring through kids in that backline and that’s what we intend to do.”
