Wayne Bennett's pulling power may take another hit with Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen expressing renewed confidence that State of Origin winger Darius Boyd would shun bigger offers from St George Illawarra and the Bulldogs to stay in Brisbane.

While the Dragons remain favourite to sign Boyd, developments yesterday suggested he was no guarantee to join Bennett at his new home next season. With Melbourne's representative forward Antonio Kaufusi edging towards finalising a deal with North Queensland, Boyd is also expected to make a decision on his future within days.

"If Darius were to stay, we'd be very relaxed with that," Cullen said. "It's not as though we need him to go to get over cap problems. We've done our roster. I still think he might go, but it's probably 60/40 now."

It would be a bitter blow to Bennett, who has struggled to attract big names to the Dragons since it was announced he would take over from Nathan Brown next year.

The club has signed Storm back-rower Jeremy Smith, Raiders duo Michael Weyman and Neville Costigan and Panthers hooker Luke Priddis, while Bennett is attempting to persuade Tonie Carroll to shelve his retirement plans. At the same time, the club has lost Mark Gasnier (French rugby union), Jason Ryles (Catalans) and Josh Morris (Bulldogs), while missing out on the signatures of Wests Tigers back-rowers Chris Heighington and Ben Te'o.

The Bulldogs had expressed late interest in Boyd after the departure of Sonny Bill Williams freed up more money in next year's salary cap, but chief executive Todd Greenberg still conceded the Dogs were "outsiders".

Like Boyd, Kaufusi is contracted with his club until the end of next season. However, Melbourne gave him permission to look elsewhere, and Cowboys officials met the former Queensland and Australian representative's manager David Riolo this week amid interest from Canberra and Parramatta.

"We're as confident as we can be," Cowboys football manager Dean Lance said yesterday. "We're in the race. We're working hard to get him.

"I had five years with him in Melbourne, from when he was a 17-year-old kid. He's a talent - always been a big kid who can play footy, and I think he's got more to give.

"He's 23 years old, he's played for Queensland, had a game for Australia. He's a Queenslander and I think he's pretty keen to come back. We've got our fingers crossed."

The Eels had expressed an interest in Kaufusi, with fellow prop Fuifui Moimoi the target of English club Bradford. However, should the Cowboys be successful in signing Kaufusi, Bradford's attempts to snare Moimoi would be doomed to fail.

The Storm were believed to be trying to offload Kaufusi so they could make a play for Warrington's Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson, however Melbourne officials said yesterday the club was no longer interested in him, especially after re-signing NSW winger Anthony Quinn until the end of 2012.

"There was some interest, but due to salary-cap restrictions we're unable to entertain it," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said.

Gold Coast forward Luke Swain has signed a two-year deal with the newest Super League side Salford, joining Cowboys prop Ray Cashmere and Souths halfback Jeremy Smith.

One Super League player will head back to Australia, halting the traffic heading in the opposing direction, but only to play rugby union - former Canberra playmaker Mark McLinden yesterday signing a two-year deal with Super 14 side Queensland Reds.

"He played Australian Schoolboys [union]," the Harlequins player's manager Steve Gillis said. "He's not one of those kids who's played two games. It's a challenge that's really interested him."