Raiders into the race for Kimmorley...

[aussies1st]

And we can say good bye to the Orford rumour.

Canberra remain keen on a one-year cameo from veteran halfback Brett Kimmorley, but won't chase Matt Orford as they put faith in youngster Josh McCrone.
In what shapes as moving weekend with playmakers across the NRL set to make a decisions on their future, Penrith youngster Wade Graham looks set to head east in 2011 as he chases a permanent starting spot at Cronulla.

The Raiders are desperate to have Kimmorley mentor McCrone in the nation's capital next season, though the lure of a mapped out post-football career in coaching and the media in Sydney are proving an obstacle to Canberra's chances of success.

But a play for Orford is not on the cards, with Raiders chief executive Don Furner adamant that McCrone is Canberra's No.7 of the future.

"He'd (Kimmorley) be an ideal leader for us for a year and teach Josh McCrone and the like, as was Trent Barrett, we tried to get him but he retired," said Furner.

"The reality is if we were going to chase someone like Matt Orford ... then we'd be putting a line through Josh McCrone, whereas getting a Trent Barrett for a year or a Brett Kimmorley for a year gives us the ability to bring confidence out of Josh and bring him along slowly.

"We've got a lot of faith in Josh, but when you've got a rookie seven, a rookie nine and a rookie one, there's a lot of pressure on the seven.'' Orford, one year into a three-year deal with Super League side Bradford, is currently in Australia as he recovers from season-ending shoulder surgery.

Despite Bradford declaring they wanted to see him play out his contract, the 32-year-old is reportedly keen to return to the NRL, where he is believed to be chasing a two-year deal.

His options may become clearer after the weekend, with Barrett having kick-started the decision making process for off-contract playmakers when he announced on Thursday this would be his final season in rugby league.

Barrett's departure has created a vacancy at the Sharks, and it appears the opportunity to assume a leadership role at the club and the proximity to family and friends helped sway 19-year-old Graham to link with Cronulla over an offer from North Queensland.

Manager Mark Stewart said a final decision would be announced after the weekend.

"We were hoping to have it done today but they were travelling to Melbourne at lunchtime and he'll be away with the team in Melbourne this weekend,'' Stewart said.

AAP

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23214,00.html

[Daveyboy]

Orford im calling could end up in either Parra or Sharks. If even does get to come home at all.

[canberra_raiders2k2]

to be honest Don Furner looks to be doing to the right thing here, if mccrone is the future and despite what we think of his roller coaster form the raiders seem to be wanting give every possible step to achieve the goal of having him be the player the club wants.

[aussies1st]

Could try throwing him a 1 year contract with the option to extend if he goes well.

[Timbo]

We lack vision.

Watch McCrone's form nosedive when:

a - Kimmorley says no.

and

b - Every other decent half on the market signs elsewhere.

He's playing well because his backside is on the line, simple.

[Daveyboy]

Seriously..McCrone is not the halfback we need. Sign Noddy for the one year....
Let Finch go to SL and then he will do what they all do now...'I want to come home' 'I'll sign for less money'

Bring back Finch.