KEY POINTS:
The Warriors are chasing Wests Tigers halfback Mathew Head as they try to find the answer in the troublesome halves position.
Last weekend they announced the signing of Brisbane's Joel Moon to play at five-eighth and they are now in serious talks with Head to join him at
Mt Smart next season.
The 26-year-old is in his first season with the Tigers and has been in talks about staying at Leichhardt Oval but salary cap constraints could see them let Head go.
He spent five seasons with the Dragons after making his debut in 2003 but made only 57 appearances in that time because of two knee reconstructions. He also spent six months with Hull FC in the English Super League but cut short his stay in the UK to join the Tigers. He claimed he had "unfinished business" in the NRL and wanted to prove he was over his injuries.
Head has played 10 games at halfback for the Tigers in 2008, with one try, and he's also kicked 95 goals in his NRL career.
While Head might not be the marquee halfback fans might be hoping for, players of this calibre are as rare as seeing Ivan Cleary smile. All the best players are locked into long-term deals long before their contracts come up for renewal.
The Warriors aggressively chased Les Catalans halfback/five-eighth/hooker Casey McGuire, and thought they had succeeded, only for the former Eels and Broncos half to re-sign with the French outfit.
They then trained their sights on Head and former Eels halfback Tim Smith, who are seen as the only two halfbacks of note who are off contract, but steered clear of Smith because of his off-field problems with alcohol and bipolar disorder.
Warriors director of football John Hart refused to discuss individuals but said a halfback was a priority.
"We have identified that in our halves we don't have depth in our existing squad," he said, "so we have to bring in additional players.
"We want a roster for 2009 that is really competitive across the board."
The signing of Moon and interest in Head would suggest an uncertain future for both Grant Rovelli and Michael Witt. Both are contracted through to 2009 but, as the Herald on Sunday reported last weekend, the club would be prepared to let them go.
"We will always honour contracts but sometimes there are situations when it might be better for a player to go somewhere else if he's not going to get regular football," Hart said. "We haven't made any decisions on that and it depends on who we recruit."
If the Warriors fail in their chase of Head, it's likely they will then chase one of the best halfbacks in the under-20s competition.
