League: Clubs free to tamper with anyone they like

Awen Guttenbeil is still unsigned for the Warriors but the club will hold talks with him next week. Picture / Brett Phibbs

The Warriors have 20 players signed for 2007 and beyond as the anti-tampering deadline came off at midnight last night.

Chief executive Wayne Scurrah joked that the two-hour time difference meant they could get offers into players across the Tasman two hours earlier than Australian clubs and that they would be into the market at "a minute past 12."

It was a joke because that would still breach the outgoing regulations, but it shows how keen the club is to fill a couple of key spots in its roster, including fullback. Six spots are open.

Unsigned are Awen Guttenbeil, Epalahame Lauaki, George Gatis, George Tuakura and Cooper Vuna. Scurrah said talks would be held with Guttenbeil and his agent next week. There was the likelihood that others of the existing squad would be signed and that "one or two" players at other clubs would be chased.

"And then we just might sit back and see what develops," Scurrah said.

"There are plenty of players on the market. We signed Micheal Luck, George Gatis and Grant Rovelli late last year and they have all turned out to be pretty good deals, they've delivered on the field.

"There are players in the Bartercard Cup we might want to look at."

Fullback was the key, he conceded, with the Roosters' Aidan Kirk signed for the future but a first-grade fullback needed for 2007 and no obvious candidate in the squad now.

The Eels' off-contract Wade McKinnon is strongly linked to the Warriors. The NRL's magazine Big League did a statistical breakdown of fullback performances two weeks ago, listing Leeds-bound Warrior Brent Webb at 12 and McKinnon at 13. Rooster Anthony Minichiello was number one.

Off-Contract

Those believed to be off-contract as of today -

Broncos: David Stagg, Leon Bott, Scott Minto, Brett Seymour; Leaving - Shane Webcke (retiring), Casey Macguire (Les Catalans).

Bulldogs: Roy Asotasi, Nate Myles, Dallas McIlwain, Tony Grimaldi.

Cowboys: Josh Hannay, Jacob Lillyman; Leaving - Matt Sing (Hull), Travis Norton (retiring).

Dragons: Ben Creagh, Shaun Timmins, Clint Greenshields, Reece Simmonds, Aaron Gorrell, Matt Bickerstaff, Sam Isemonger; Leaving - Trent Barrett (Wigan), Luke Bailey (Gold Coast), Colin Best (Raiders).

Eagles: Nathan Tutt, Mark Bryant. Leaving - Ben Kennedy (retiring).

Eels: Wade McKinnon, Aaron Cannings, Luke Burt, Henry Perenara, Brett Delaney, Adam Peek; Leaving - John Morris (Tigers), Glenn Morrison (Bradford), Dean Widders (Souths).

Knights: Todd Lowrie, David Seage; Leaving - Brian Carney (Gold Coast), Anthony Quinn (Storm), Craig Smith (retiring again).

Panthers: Danny Galea, Shane Rodney; Leaving - Preston Campbell, Luke Swain, Frank Puletua (Titans), coach John Lang (unsigned).

Raiders: Jason Smith, Nathan Smith, Terry Campese, Marshall Chalk, Terry Martin, Alan Rothery, Jermaine Ale; Leaving - Simon Woolford (Dragons).

Roosters: Glen Hall, Lelea Paea, Lopini Paea, Mickey Paea, Nigel Plum, Sam Perrett, Vince Mellars; Leaving - Adrian Morley (Warrington), Ryan Cross (Western Force).

Sharks: Luke Covell, Matt Hilder, Brett Kearney, Hutch Maiava, James Stosic, Beau Scott, Richard Villasanti; Leaving - Nigel Vagana (Souths), Phil Bailey (Wigan).

Souths: Luke MacDougall, Todd Polglase, Shane Rigon, Luke Stuart, Shane Walker, Joe Williams, Manase Manukuafoa, Mark Minichiello; Leaving - Adam MacDougall (yet to sign).

Storm: Jake Webster, Scott Hill, Chris Walker; Leaving - David Kidwell (Souths), Nathan Friend, Steve Turner (Gold Coast).

Tigers: Daniel Fitzhenry, Shane Elford, Ben Reynolds; Leaving - Scott Prince, Anthony Laffranchi (Gold Coast), John Skandalis (Huddersfield).

Warriors: Awen Guttenbeil, Epalahame Lauaki, George Gatis; Leaving - Clinton Toopi (Leeds), Brent Webb (Leeds).

Signed for the Gold Coast Titans: Scott Prince, Anthony Laffranchi (Tigers), Luke Bailey, Michael Henderson (Dragons), Preston Campbell, Luke Swain, Frank Puletua (Panthers), Brian Carney (Knights), Steve Turner, Nathan Friend (Storm), Michael Hodgson (Raiders), Matt Petersen (Eels), Brad Meyers (Bradford), Richard Mathers (Leeds).