Storm recruit Coates – The National

BRISBANE will go searching for a top-flight outside back after Melbourne trumped their last-ditch bid, as well as the Titans’ late offer, to sign Papua New Guinea-born winger Xavier Coates on a two-year deal.
Conjecture over his future beyond this season has finally been put to bed with the Storm announcing his signing, on a deal understood to be worth around A$500,000 (K1.4 million) annually, until the end of 2023.
Brisbane had set aside a similar A$500,000 (K1.3 million) figure for Coates, and will now enter the player market to bolster their backline stocks.
NRL.com understands the Broncos have expressed interest in Storm utility Nicho Hynes among several rival clubs, with the utility back impressing at fullback in recent weeks with Ryan Papenhuyzen out injured.
Melbourne’s tight salary cap has the club facing an uphill retention battle for Hynes and co-captain Dale Finucane, with the prospect of a starting spot elsewhere in the National Rugby League an obvious lure for the Central Coast product.
The Broncos have Jamayne Isaako filling the No.1 jersey, though his ability to switch to the flank has the club considering wingers and fullbacks in the market.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters confirmed that the club would target a replacement with Coates the latest addition to a list of lost local products that includes Reece Walsh, Sam Walker and David Fifita.
“Everyone is really aware of his talents,” Walters said.
“He’s a young guy who’s been in our system for three or four years now and to lose him it’s not great for the Broncos.
“But we respect Xavier’s decision to move on and we wish him the best.
“Wingers are an important part of today’s game and we’ll go to market and we’ll move on.”
With the Storm and Titans circling with two-year offers, Brisbane’s new chief executive Dave Donaghy met with Coates management on Friday in an effort to keep the 20-year-old at Red Hill.
The Gold Coast made similar moves of late with a bumped offer of their own, which was understood to be worth around A$500,000 (K1.3 million) a year. – NRL