Anthony Watmough's family 'gutted' about star being forced out of Manly
Date
October 28, 2014 - 10:00PM
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter
The father of Anthony Watmough says the family is "gutted" that the NSW and Australian international has been forced out of Manly and into the colours of arch rivals Parramatta.
Watmough's shift from the Sea Eagles to the Eels is one of the biggest NRL transfers in recent years and represents a changing of the guard following his departure and that of teammate Glenn Stewart to South Sydney.
Fairfax Media broke the story about Watmough agreeing to join the blue and golds in early September and, despite the 31-year-old's denials at the time, the deal is a formality that will be officially trumpeted in coming days.
Parramatta had initially signed Watmough to a three-year deal but that effectively became a four-year agreement after Manly granted him a release from the final year of his contract. The NSW and Australian back-rower will likely front for the first day of Parramatta's preseason on Friday and join his new teammates on study trip to American sporting franchises, including the Seattle Seahawks, from Monday.
Watmough's father, John, said the family was struggling coming to terms with the fact the man dubbed "Choc" won't be finishing his illustrious career on the northern beaches.
"The family is shell-shocked," John Watmough said.
"We're gutted, we wanted to see our son fulfil his dream of playing out of the one club. Now it's not going to happen."
Asked if it would be surreal seeing his son run out for traditional rivals Parramatta, John said: "Of course it will. I've been brought up in the area. But I want to speak to Choc before I make too many comments."
Watmough was on a heavily back-ended deal at Manly worth almost $1 million for 2015. The Sea Eagles will pay about $300,000 to get him off the books, freeing up cash to re-sign outstanding halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans. While there was speculation a change in Sea Eagles management could result in Watmough making a late backflip, the club was too far down the track in their succession planning.
On Wednesday, the 2013 grand finalists confirmed the signings of Feleti Mateo from the Warriors, former Knight Willie Mason and Cronulla prop Siosaia Vave. While Watmough won't finish out his career as a Sea Eagle, captain Jamie Lyon will after signing a two-year extension to remain at the club until 2016.
The Eels believe they are one quality back and forward short of being a legitimate contender and have now ticked one of the boxes. Despite Watmough's signing, they still have cash to splash after Jarryd Hayne was released to pursue his NFL dream.
As revealed by Fairfax Media, South Sydney's chief financial controller, Joe Kelly, was appointed as the replacement for sacked general manager David Perry. Kelly was Chelsea Football Club's financial controller from 2002 to 2007, balancing the books for Roman Abramovich.
Manly officials confirmed Brett Stewart and Steve Matai would remain at the club next season despite suggestions they could join Watmough and Glenn Stewart in leaving before the start of next season. Chairman Scott Penn also confirmed Nathan Brown had been approached to join the club's coaching staff next year while throwing his support behind Geoff Toovey.
Toovey predicted Mateo and Mason would bolster his side's forward stocks.
"We've lost a couple of quality players, we've lost several thousands of games of NRL experience in the last couple of years," Toovey said. "To replace them with Mason and Mateo with that experience in first grade is a big boost for us.
"Willie had a great year. [He brings] a bit of size and some enthusiasm and experience in the middle.
"Feleti is a mixture of Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart. Great skills, great ability to read the game and gives us another attacking prong on the edges..
"We have quality halves and there will be things we tweak to suit the players around them. Things will be as per usual."
Glenn Stewart's ready-made replacement in the No.13 jersey – Jamie Buhrer – is racing the clock to be fit for the NRL season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in round 25.
"His knee reconstruction puts him behind a bit," Toovey said. "He is already back training. I'm sure he'll bounce back. He is a quality player. We missed him that last game in particularly. He came on in leaps and bounds this season."
