Inside the Sheds

I'M hearing South Sydney are preparing to embark on a garage sale with a stack of senior players. Names who the Rabbits might look to unload include Shannon Hegarty, David Kidwell, Dean Widders, Luke Stuart, Jeremy Smith, Buddy Gordon and Ben Rogers. The Bunnies will look to promote young players from within rather than go on a massive spending spree. There are still a few quality players on the open market in the form of Weller Hauraki, Ben Teo and Jacob Lillyman.

CRONULLA are poised to announce the signature of Trent Barrett for next season, giving the Sharks a real premiership edge to them. Much-maligned before he fled to England, Barrett is just the sort of player the Sharks desperately needed and will add a real class edge to the Shire backline next year. And what about the rivalry between local adversaries Cronulla and St George Illawarra now. Barrett is certain to cop plenty from the Dragons supporters.

THE inside mail on the Sonny Bill Williams soap opera says the Bulldogs star recruit is going to be staying put. It seems Williams is just as angry with his former manager Gavin Orr as he is with the club, who brokered the deal under previous administration. Let's hope it all gets sorted out soon.

MARK Gasnier's window to quit the NRL and play overseas is rapidly closing. Gasnier has a one-month get out clause and was entertaining the idea of heading to French rugby union. Many Dragons supporters continue to question why Gasnier plays outstanding at representative level before clicking back into third gear when he returns to the Saints.

WHAT about the turnaround from the Sydney Roosters. This time last year they were last and battling to avoid the wooden spoon. Now they're flying on top of the comp and look like one of the few teams capable to upsetting Melbourne at the business end of the year.

INCOMING St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett is getting plenty of the plaudits for the Dragons form-reversal this year. After starting the season in appalling fashion, the red and whites have won their past three straight and look to have the upper hand against an under-strength Brisbane on Friday night. Bennett has been hitting the phones of an evening to talk shop with the Dragons.

LOOK for Queensland to try and utilise the huge height advantage enjoyed by Israel Folau over opposition wingers Anthony Quinn and Steve Turner in Origin II. Suspended flyer Jarryd Hayne did a sensational job keeping Folau at bay in Origin I and the Blues will miss his size and aggression.