Looks like we are going after Finch hard:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/sport/2498833/Warriors-target-Brett-Finch
THE Warriors' search for a marquee playmaker for next season could be over with revelations the club has put a contract on the table for Storm No 6 Brett Finch.
But big-spending Super League clubs are also in the process of talking turkey with Finch and chances are the cash on offer from England will be enough to convince him not to come to New Zealand in 2010.
Speculation has been rife for weeks about how the Warriors will bolster their playmaking ranks next year.
Finch's name along with Tim Smith, Matt Orford and Ben Roberts was suggested in this paper on May 24 as a possible recruitment target.
Sunday News understands Finch is the man the Warriors want and yesterday his agent Steve Gillis the same man who engineered Simon Mannering's recent contract upgrade confirmed the ball was in his client's court.
"I couldn't say he's definitely interested in moving to New Zealand but at the same time I couldn't say he's not interested," Gillis said.
"The situation is we are a fair way down the track with England and they have probably got their nose in front right now.
"The situation with the Warriors is that if Brett pretty much wants to go there they are prepared to nut out a deal."
Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah confirmed the club had "had some dialogue with Finch's agent" but refused to comment when asked by Sunday News whether a deal was on the table.
Reports from the UK have speculated the former Eel and Rooster will find a home in the Super League next year, potentially at Wigan, Warrington or Huddersfield.
It's understood at least two clubs have tabled offers to him and at this stage he's more likely to move to England than New Zealand.
"It's going to take a bit more time before Brett makes a decision on what he's going to be doing next year," Gillis said.
"I'm working through some stuff with the English clubs at the moment, of which there are about four who are keen.
"They're in the process of tabling offers and Brett is genuinely interested in going overseas."
If Finch snubs the money on offer from the UK, Mt Smart Stadium looms as his new stomping ground.
But if he signs with the Warriors that doesn't necessarily mean club legend Stacey Jones won't also be re-signed for the 2010 season.
Finch can play both standoff and halfback and Scurrah said Jones' future was yet to be determined.
The Warriors have been on the hunt for a marquee half for more than a year. Last year, they attempted to lure Bulldogs star Brett Kimmorley, Storm halfback Cooper Cronk and Storm captain Cameron Smith a hooker across the Tasman. They also put an offer on the table for former Bronco turned Catalans halfback Casey McGuire.
This year, they made a play for Titans star Scott Prince before he re-signed with the Gold Coast.
Earlier in the season, Finch shocked Eels officials by asking for an immediate release from his contract because he was unhappy at the club. The Melbourne Storm immediately swooped on him and in round seven he made his debut in the purple jersey, ironically against the Warriors.
