CRONULLA Sharks tried to sign Newcastle half Jarrod Mullen this season, well before any negotiations began with disaffected Auckland Blues rugby union convert Benji Marshall.
The Leader has been told discussions with Mullen's management coincided when the representative half was on the sideline injured this year.
However, after a strong return to the game early this month, Mullen re-signed with the Wayne Bennett-coached Knights — and dashed the Sharks' secret plans to sway him to move to Cronulla on a long-term contract.
The move by the Sharks was part of their planning for next year, as Mullen was then signed with the Knights until the end of 2014 anyway. With veteran Sharks hooker John Morris likely to retire at the end of this season, the Sharks have plans to move 31-year-old Jeff Robson from half to hooker, where he can continue to direct play, following the Bulldogs' signing of young hooker Michael Lichaa.
That means a new half inside Todd Carney.
Marshall's probable move back from union, which has split the league community, has not been a secret for a while since his well-documented failure to make a mark in union. And with former Wests Tigers teammates in Beau Ryan, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington, Andrew Fifita and Blake Ayshford at Cronulla, the New Zealand-born 2008 rugby league World Cup winner has plenty of support in a move to Woolooware.
Marshall made eight brief appearances for the Blues before Blues coach and former All Black great, Sir John Kirwan, announced yesterday afternoon the club had agreed to release Benji Marshall from his 2014 contract.
While Sharks officials denied any negotiations had taken place, captain Paul Gallen welcomed a Marshall move to the Sharks yesterday, on conditions, when talking on the Big Sports Breakfast radio show.
"If Benji wants to come back [to league] for the right reasons, he'd be a positive," said Gallen, who just returned to the game after injury kept him out the past six-weeks.
■DESPITE not being named in the Cronulla squad, internationals Luke Lewis and Anthony Tupou will make belated attempts to play their first games of the season for the Sharks when Cronulla hosts the Penrith Panthers at Remondis Stadium from 3pm on Saturday.
Tupou was ready to play against his old club the Roosters last week before straining his hamstring, while Lewis on Tuesday got involved in his first on-field training contact session, since his shoulder operation after last year's World Cup.
"I've got my strength back now and having that hit-out was great," said Lewis, who was told he would not be considered until after next week's representative bye.
Coach Peter Sharp named winger Beau Ryan on an extended bench and if he plays it will be his first game since an off-season neck operation.
SHARKS
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Sosaia Feki, 3 Blake Ayshford, 4 Ricky Leutele, 5 Jonathan Wright, 6 Todd Carney, 7 Jeff Robson, 8 Andrew Fifita, 9 John Morris, 10 Bryce Gibbs, 11 Chris Heighington, 12 Wade Graham, 13 Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: 14 Isaac De Gois, 15 Tinirau Arona, 16 Sam Tagataese, 17 Siosaia Vave, 20 Beau Ryan
The Sharks play all three grades at Remondis starting 10.40am on Saturday. In recognition of the Anzac Day weekend, the Sharks will offer free admittance to all veterans and current servicemen and women.
How do you think the Sharks will go on Saturday?