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Noddy won't be seen in green
PETER FITZGERALD RUGBY LEAGUE
04 Aug, 2010 12:00 AM
The lure of a post-football career in the Sydney media is likely to prevent Brett Kimmorley from joining the Canberra Raiders next year.The Canberra Times understands Kimmorley will inform the club this week that he will knock back its offer to play in the national capital in 2011.
The news comes as another contractual distraction for the Raiders, who are in the midst of finalising their player roster for next season.
In the space of a month the club has missed out on experienced halves Kimmorley and Trent Barrett, informed veteran Troy Thompson he would not be required next year as the club closes in on Brett White, and remained in talks with Glen Buttriss about a possible extension.
The contract issues come at a challenging time for the team, which remains in the NRL finals hunt but must win its remaining five matches to qualify for the play-offs.
Thompson reacted badly to his axing, admitting he was ''filthy'' and that it was a ''crap feeling'' to be told you are no longer wanted after a decade of service.
Coach David Furner conceded having to deal with such issues in the lead-up to the finals was far from ideal but he remained confident his players' mindset remained on reaching their on-field goals.
''There's always a time during the year when you have to make decisions on different players,'' Furner said. ''It's a situation that all clubs go through and we're doing that at the moment.
''The job I've undertaken and what I've got at the moment is I have to make some tough decisions.
''Unfortunately there has been some tough decisions made. It's never easy but what I'm looking out for is the squad for next year.
''Our main focus, and I know the squad's is, is Monday night's game [against Penrith].''
Returning skipper Alan Tongue admitted it would be easy to get distracted from football when contract dramas were being played out mid-season. But he said the players should be used to it by now as it's not a new thing.
For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times
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So a rudderless ship we will remain.
With our pack and outside backs we should be a top 4 side. But HOOORRRAAAAYYYY FOR MCCRONE!!!!
PETER FITZGERALD RUGBY LEAGUE
04 Aug, 2010 12:00 AM
The lure of a post-football career in the Sydney media is likely to prevent Brett Kimmorley from joining the Canberra Raiders next year.The Canberra Times understands Kimmorley will inform the club this week that he will knock back its offer to play in the national capital in 2011.
The news comes as another contractual distraction for the Raiders, who are in the midst of finalising their player roster for next season.
In the space of a month the club has missed out on experienced halves Kimmorley and Trent Barrett, informed veteran Troy Thompson he would not be required next year as the club closes in on Brett White, and remained in talks with Glen Buttriss about a possible extension.
The contract issues come at a challenging time for the team, which remains in the NRL finals hunt but must win its remaining five matches to qualify for the play-offs.
Thompson reacted badly to his axing, admitting he was ''filthy'' and that it was a ''crap feeling'' to be told you are no longer wanted after a decade of service.
Coach David Furner conceded having to deal with such issues in the lead-up to the finals was far from ideal but he remained confident his players' mindset remained on reaching their on-field goals.
''There's always a time during the year when you have to make decisions on different players,'' Furner said. ''It's a situation that all clubs go through and we're doing that at the moment.
''The job I've undertaken and what I've got at the moment is I have to make some tough decisions.
''Unfortunately there has been some tough decisions made. It's never easy but what I'm looking out for is the squad for next year.
''Our main focus, and I know the squad's is, is Monday night's game [against Penrith].''
Returning skipper Alan Tongue admitted it would be easy to get distracted from football when contract dramas were being played out mid-season. But he said the players should be used to it by now as it's not a new thing.
For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times
-----------------------------------------
So a rudderless ship we will remain.
With our pack and outside backs we should be a top 4 side. But HOOORRRAAAAYYYY FOR MCCRONE!!!!