NRL: Price is right for Warriors

The Warriors have started negotiations with Steve Price and are confident he will suit up for a 17th season of first grade in 2010.

The 35-year-old Warriors skipper is off contract at the end of the season and many, including Price himself, wondered if 2009 might be his last year.

He told the Herald on Sunday on the eve of this season that he didn't want to tarnish his reputation and end on a "worn-out, tired, busted-arse note" but he also didn't want to end his career prematurely.

The latter sentiment has clearly won and, after Price indicated his desire to continue, negotiations with the Warriors got under way last week.

"It's certainly something we are delighted to do," Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said. "From a leadership point of view

both on and off the field, and someone who is the face of our club, there is no one better than Steve Price."

He's not a bad player, too.

In his first four games this season, he ran for 637m at an average of 159.25m - the best by 18m of any prop in the competition.

He also averaged the most runs (18.2) and was third in average minutes (62.5).

He is still an automatic choice for Queensland and missed out on last year's World Cup final only because of injury. He is widely expected to be named in the Kangaroos squad to face the Kiwis in Brisbane on May 8.

As well as being the oldest, Price is one of the fittest and most durable players in the competition. His 304 first-grade games are testament to that and it could be argued he has been the best signing the Warriors have ever made.

An announcement on a new one-year deal could come as early as this week, as well as one on the retention of Ian Henderson.

The Warriors started negotiations with the hooker recently and his re-signing would come on the back of those of Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati and Lance Hohaia.