The Melbourne Storm look set to enter the race to sign Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin for 2019, according to The Mole.
Melbourne have joined Parramatta in a fight to secure Austin’s signature, as the playmaker is set to walk out of the Raiders at season end.
After losing Cooper Cronk to the Sydney Roosters, the Storm are still on the hunt for a prominent half as considered long-term replacement Brodie Croft hasn’t panned out the way Melbourne would’ve liked.
Austin was in sublime form in the Raiders' 48-12 win over the West Tigers last weekend, including one try and seven tackle bursts.
Despite Ryley Jacks adding a much-needed spark in the halves for Melbourne, Austin’s kicking game and quick thinking could be the perfect halves pairing for Cameron Munster, who’s running game is strong but lacking in the kicking area.
Wanting to move back to his home town of Sydney, the temptation of playing for a team coached by Craig Bellamy, who has just signed a three-year contract extension with the Storm, could bring Austin south of the boarder.