NRL: Fingers crossed as Tate starts contract talks

Brent Tate is wanted - and not just by the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

Brent Tate is sporting a "finish strong" bracelet these days - but don't worry, it's just a show of solidarity for brother-in-law Steve Price.

"I've still got a few years left, I think," Tate quips when asked if he, too, might be nearing the end of his playing days.

It's where the 28-year-old chooses to spend those last few years that will concern Warriors fans over the next few weeks and possibly months.

With the gargantuan figure of Price to depart at the end of the season, losing a player of Tate's stature at the same time would be a double blow for the Warriors.

Until now the club has adopted a cautious approach, preferring to see how Tate shaped up after a second knee reconstruction.

But with Price retiring and Tate having already done enough to catch the eye of rival suitors, the clock is ticking.

Tate has instructed his agent to open discussions with the Warriors on a possible contract extension and, presumably, to assess the market for wider interest.

"I'd like to get it sorted pretty soon," Tate said.

"But it is not something that is going to happen in a week or two. There is a bit of a process. I have literally only spoken to my manager in the last couple of days, so it is very, very early at the moment."

As to whether staying at the Warriors is his preferred option, Tate is positive, without trapping himself into any sort of promise he might not be able to keep.

"There are a heap of things that have to go right, but we are happy here, my family is happy. One of the decisions we made before we came over was that we wanted this to be our home and we've really done that. But there are a whole heap of boxes that need to be ticked. We'll start the process and see where it leads us."

The first thing Tate will need to ascertain is whether his injury-blighted recent past has impacted on his market value. There is little doubt he was missed during last year's disappointing campaign but heading into his third season at the club, Tate has played 31 matches and scored just six tries - not exactly startling numbers.

Having twice ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament and endured a serious neck injury early in his career, the risk of future injury woes needs to be balanced against what he can produce on the pitch when healthy.

"It is a risk signing any player," said Warriors recruitment manager Dean Bell. "Obviously he has got a little bit of a history of it but, at the end of the day, he is a world class player. His quality is unquestioned."

Bell has liked what he has seen so far from Tate this season, although the club is yet to table a contract extension.

"I'm sure he respected the fact that we needed to see him string a few games together first. No club in their right mind would try to renegotiate a contract while a player is out for the long term. It was a case of let's wait and see. We are happy with the way he is going at the moment.

"We don't want to rush into things, but obviously you don't want to leave it too late with these kinds of players because there is interest from other clubs, too."

Bell has plenty of other balls in the air. Converted second rower Lewis Brown has just signed a two-year contract extension, while Micheal Luck is also off contract at the end of the season.

Tate was candid enough to admit that how the club performs this season will have a major bearing on his decision. If things continue to shape up nicely for a run at the top eight, leaving won't be easy.

His own form will be important too. While he feels like he owes the club a bit of payback after sitting out almost all of last season, another injury could be the final straw for Tate as a Warrior.

"When I was at Brisbane, I'd had a couple of injuries and I think I needed a fresh start. I'm not saying that is the case here but it all comes into play.

"But I'd be lying to you if I said [payback] wasn't in my head as well.

"The club has been fantastic, they have stood by me the whole time. I have never ever felt any pressure to come back and play or that my contract here was ever in doubt.

"We have got a really good culture here and I really feel that we are heading in the right direction now. We have the players here to really challenge for those semifinals and I am really happy with where we are heading as a club."

He may be back in the thick of the action to the point where he will captain the club for the first time against the Bulldogs tonight but Tate is not yet back to 100 per cent. His right foot step has been largely absent, and he still feels pain in his rebuilt knee.

"I guess I'm not coming off my right as much as I did. Over the next few weeks I'll concentrate on working on that in training. It is still sore at times but that is just start up aches and pains because I had such a disrupted pre-season.

"But I feel I am getting better each week. It is just about managing it. If I can keep playing and get used to the impact, then hopefully over the next few weeks I'll be playing pain free completely. I am looking forward to that day that is for sure."

Warriors fans, no doubt, will be looking forward to the day he puts pen to a new contract - provided, that is, he chooses to stay right where he is.