FC actively chose to pay Dykes off though and therefore needed to compensate him.

Joel Clinton asked to be released from his contract though. Why would they agree to it and pay him compensation as well? Makes no sense.

Joel Clinton is on the verge of quitting Brisbane Broncos after sounding out the club about the prospect of an immediate release to play overseas.

Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen confirmed the formal offshore interest on Saturday night.

Clinton is off-contract at the end of 2010 but fears he is unwanted for 2011 after two indifferent years at the Broncos.

The 27-year-old is Brisbane's highest-paid forward on $275,000 a season.

Should the Broncos agree to a release, it would free-up room in the salary cap for the club to launch a major recruitment drive for 2011.

Cullen said the club would consider releasing Clinton if they believed it was in the forward's best interests.

"I've spoken to Joel's manager and he asked if Joel got a good deal going forward, would we consider letting him go," Cullen said.

Signed on the recommendation of Broncos legend Shane Webcke for the 2008 season, Clinton has endured a tumultuous stint at Red Hill.

In June, Clinton was fined $50,000 for breaching team rules by bringing a woman back to his hotel room and he played just 24 minutes in the Broncos' season-ending loss to Melbourne Storm.

While Clinton's departure would give the Broncos clout on the open market, Cullen said the club would never try to force him out.

"We'd be a bit light on for front-rowers (if Clinton left) but we've got no plan at all to sign a replacement. Joel is a nice fella and a really good bloke. If he's here next year so be it," Cullen said.

"There are examples of us letting guys go for their benefit.

"David Stagg was supposed to be a part of our plans for 2009 but then Canterbury came up with a better offer for him and we respected that."

www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 66,00.html

FC actively chose to pay Dykes off though and therefore needed to compensate him.

Joel Clinton asked to be released from his contract though. Why would they agree to it and pay him compensation as well? Makes no sense.

Joel Clinton is on the verge of quitting Brisbane Broncos after sounding out the club about the prospect of an immediate release to play overseas.

Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen confirmed the formal offshore interest on Saturday night.

Clinton is off-contract at the end of 2010 but fears he is unwanted for 2011 after two indifferent years at the Broncos.

The 27-year-old is Brisbane's highest-paid forward on $275,000 a season.

Should the Broncos agree to a release, it would free-up room in the salary cap for the club to launch a major recruitment drive for 2011.

Cullen said the club would consider releasing Clinton if they believed it was in the forward's best interests.

"I've spoken to Joel's manager and he asked if Joel got a good deal going forward, would we consider letting him go," Cullen said.

Signed on the recommendation of Broncos legend Shane Webcke for the 2008 season, Clinton has endured a tumultuous stint at Red Hill.

In June, Clinton was fined $50,000 for breaching team rules by bringing a woman back to his hotel room and he played just 24 minutes in the Broncos' season-ending loss to Melbourne Storm.

While Clinton's departure would give the Broncos clout on the open market, Cullen said the club would never try to force him out.

"We'd be a bit light on for front-rowers (if Clinton left) but we've got no plan at all to sign a replacement. Joel is a nice fella and a really good bloke. If he's here next year so be it," Cullen said.

"There are examples of us letting guys go for their benefit.

"David Stagg was supposed to be a part of our plans for 2009 but then Canterbury came up with a better offer for him and we respected that."

www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 66,00.html