St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett has no interest in joining the frenzy of rival clubs and codes chasing Melbourne Storm players in the wake of the salary cap scandal.
Several high-profile players are likely to come on to the open market as the Storm push payments back below the $4.1 million salary cap.
Bennett cast aside rumours that the Dragons have shown some interest in New Zealand international Jeff Lima or rising front row star Aiden Tolman.
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The former Brisbane Broncos premiership-winning coach also ruled out making a play for the Storm’s other big name players such as Greg Inglis, Billy Slater or Cameron Smith.
‘‘It’s not an issue recruiting too far, because I want to keep what we’ve got here,’’ he said.
‘‘If these guys are doing the job I don’t know why you’d be looking elsewhere.
‘‘My priority is to keep this team together as best we can.’’
Melbourne are understood to be about $700,000 over the salary cap this season alone following revelations of systematic rorting over the past five years.
While several other NRL clubs are manoeuvring to make a play at the likes of Inglis and Slater, AFL outfit Essendon has also shown interest.
The Dragons would require a clean-out of their ranks to be able to buy one of the Storm’s top players.
The club flattened out its payment structure and now has a more even spread of payments through the squad following the exit of former captain Mark Gasnier two years ago.
With captain Ben Hornby expected to re-sign soon in a deal which would see him play out the rest of his career with the Dragons, Bennett made it clear he intends to retain Neville Costigan, who is off contract at the end of the year.
The Dragons have already retained injured prop Matt Prior, playmaker Jamie Soward and NSW State of Origin front-rower Michael Weyman with new deals.
However, the future of young gun Beau Henry hangs in the balance, with several clubs chasing his signature.
It is believed North Queensland, Newcastle and the Bulldogs are all preparing to make offers.
Bennett said he hoped to hang on to Henry, who is likely to gain his chance in the NRL during the representative period.
"We've got to play it by ear right now," Bennett said about re-signing Henry.
"We'll see what Beau brings to the team when he gets the opportunity, because the under 20s is not the defining competition, the NRL is.
"I'm sure he'll get an opportunity over the next couple of months."
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