NRL News: Cowboys react to Valentine Holmes' development following reports of move to Dragons

The Cowboys insist on the uncertainty surrounding Valentine Holmes' Future is no distraction as they seek to cement their place in the NRL Final. Holmes has been given permission to speak to rival clubs Although his contract runs for 12 months after this season, the Dragons are considered early favorites for his signature.

North Queensland have made it clear they would prefer to keep their Maroons and Kangaroos star, who is reportedly earning around $1 million a season, but the club faces a difficult salary crunch with Holmes, Tom Dearden, Jason Taumalolo, Jeremiah Nanai, Scott Drinkwater and Jeremiah Nanai all on high-profile contracts.

Co-captain Reuben Cotter and NSW hooker Reece Robson are also entering the final 12 months of their contracts and will also be eligible to speak to rival clubs from November 1 if they do not extend beforehand. Both players are expected to be eligible for upgrades to their current contracts based on their form with club and state.

The situation presents the Cowboys with a delicate salary cap situation and a dilemma when it comes to retaining their best players. If Holmes opts out of his current contract early, it could create the necessary room in the salary cap for North Queensland to sign many of its core stars.

Cowboys are not distracted by the contract saga surrounding Valentine Holmes

There is a risk that the Holmes situation could cause unwanted distractions for the Cowboys and potentially hamper their push for the finals. The Cowboys are sixth and have a bye, meaning they are likely to need two more wins – starting with Thursday night's game against the last-placed Wests Tigers – to secure their place in the finals.

However, Robson disputes the notion that the uncertainty surrounding Holmes' future is a distraction for the team. “He's a great mate of mine and I love playing alongside him here,” Robson said. “(Holmes' future) is a matter for himself, his managers and the club to sort out. For us, he's just doing his job, like he does every week, just like we do. The rest (contract stuff) will sort itself out.”

Holmes' contract situation has seen the Origin star linked with a potential move to the Dragons in 2025 as Shane Flanagan's team hunt for a star signing to replace Parramatta-bound Zac Lomax. The Dragons, unlike the Cowboys, have plenty of room in their salary cap and could easily offer Holmes a multi-year deal.

Holmes also enjoys a close relationship with Flanagan, having been helped to his NRL debut by the former Sharks coach in 2014. The pair were also involved in Cronulla's 2016 championship win. And Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend – who will leave North Queensland next season to join the Roosters – says it's no surprise rival clubs are courting a player of Holmes' quality.

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“He's a world-class player who has done it all,” Townsend said. “(Testing the market) doesn't necessarily mean he won't be here next year because he's still under contract for next season. I'm sure everything will be sorted out, but news like this is always particularly important with a top-class player like Val.”

The Cowboys can take a big step towards finals qualification with a win against the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night, but will do so without key forwards Jason Taumalolo and Cotter, who both suffered concussions in last week's win over the Sharks. Taumalolo also fractured his cheekbone and will see a surgeon to see how many games he misses, but the Cowboys are happy to have Heilum Luki, who missed the game against the Sharks with a hamstring strain.

with AAP