League: Warriors might buy Aussie players

After weeks of will they or won't they, Mick Watson has confirmed that the Warriors are not currently in the market for a first-grade player but raised the possibility of bringing in a couple of second-tier Australians for 2006.

There has been increased speculation that the club would delve into the market, following the decision of Iafeta Paleaaesina to join Stacey Jones in the UK Super League, but the Warriors chief executive poured cold water on this.

"I'm not looking for any first-grade players, that's categoric, but I am looking at some development or second-tier players in Australia to understand where they are at and one or two of those could come in," Watson said.

"We are very happy with the quality of players we have at the Warriors to do the job, as is the board. Quality teams that stay together for a couple of years are the ones that turn into a finals team."

He cited the example of 2001 when they scraped into the top eight and backed this up with second and fourth-placed finishes in the following two years.

Even if they really wanted to, the Warriors are flying too close to the salary cap to be able to bring in any significant signings, although Watson said, like all chief executives, that he was always keeping an eye on the market to see what players were available.

NRL clubs are currently pondering a potential increase ton the salary cap, with the NRL close to securing an improved television deal that could see the amount of revenue paid to each club increase significantly.

Watson expected an increase in the cap in the next two or three years but didn't think this would be any more than about $500,000, which equates to about one marquee player, or about three established first-graders.

Some reports out of Australia suggest the figure could be as high as A$5.2 million ($5.8 million), a significant jump from where it currently sits at A$3.3 million (NZ$3.68 million).

"I think there will be a small increase in the next couple of years and I support that because it is a little under where it should be at the moment," he said.

As a development rather than a recruitment club, it's more beneficial for the Warriors for the level of the cap to remain low to curb the spending power of some of the wealthier clubs.

The Warriors also have an advantage over their Australian counterparts because of the greater talent pool they have to draw on.

Certainly as the Warriors' top eight chances fade, Watson promised that a handful of the latest development players off the production line would be introduced into the first-team squad in preparation for the 2006 season.

This includes talented youngsters like Sonny Fai, Frank-Paul Nuuausala and Marvin Filipo.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY