Crossing the great Riverina rugby league divide

Outgoing Tullibigeal Lakes United star Jaden Kelly is at the top of the shopping list of talent-hungry Group Nine clubs.

A dynamic halfback or fullback, Kelly won the Group 20 player-of-the-year award last season on the way to TLU losing to Waratahs in the preliminary final.

Arguably the hottest property in the Riverina, Kelly yesterday confirmed he had been "speaking" to Group Nine clubs, but no deal had been cut.

"There's been a few (Group Nine) clubs," Kelly said yesterday.

"They've more or less just touched base."

Despite the intense interest from Group Nine, Kelly is adamant it will take "the right offer" to prise him away from Lake Cargelligo.

"It would be a bit hard," Kelly said yesterday.

"I've got a young family and there would be a lot of travelling.

"I've also got a business in Lake."

For Kelly, the chance to play in Group Nine still has a strong attraction.

"I'd love to go back for year," he said.

"I do have a lot of support in Lake Cargelligo and that would make it hard."

Kelly played for Group Nine club Kangaroos for three years before heading back to Lake Cargelligo in 2010.

Now a dual Group 20 best and fairest medal winner, Kelly says he has held only brief talks with various Group Nine clubs.

"There's been no full-on connection," he said.

Cootamundra co-coach Luke Berkrey yesterday confirmed the Bulldogs had made an initial approach to Kelly.

Berkrey said Cootamundra would relish signing Kelly, but understood there was considerable opposition.

"We are talking to him as well as other Group Nine clubs," Berkrey said on Twitter.

"Would love to have him."

The Bulldogs are not alone in pursuing Kelly, with rumours rife that as many as five Group Nine clubs want to secure his prized signature.

TLU, meantime, is set to chase a front rower as captain-coach for 2015, but Brent Pike remains in contention to retain the position.