At Last!!

[antonius]

At last the Knights have sent the correct message to Johns, they have contacted Matt Orford and indicated they are interested in talking with him about playing with the club next season. All I can say is “about time.” It’s interesting to note that Ben Kennedy is quoted in today’s Newcastle Herald as saying he signed with Manly believing Johns had agreed to terms with the Knights, and therefore the money for him wasn't there. The NRL had confirmed that a sponsorship deal the Knights enquired about some time ago to top up Johns contract would have been exempt from the cap. Radio talkback in town this morning confirms that people in Newcastle are saying either sign or go, stop messing the club around. So lets hope the move on Orford sends the word to Johns that it’s decision time, to be honest I hope he goes, and we sign Orford. What little respect I had for him has disappeared over the past fortnight.

 

[astrogirl]

I also heard on the news this morning that the Knights have given Johns till the end of the week to make a decision. I hope that means they need to have a signature on a contract, not merely an indication.

 

[gaterooze]

Y'know at this stage... I think I'd prefer Orford over Johns, to be honest. Less injury prone, almost as good a player (let's face it, Joey's form wasn't great at the start of this year), has a lot more years left in him...

 

[antonius]

Y'know at this stage... I think I'd prefer Orford over Johns, to be honest. Less injury prone, almost as good a player (let's face it, Joey's form wasn't great at the start of this year), has a lot more years left in him...

I'm with you, cast your mind back to last year, Johns form was way down on what we'd been used to, he was running around with a disinterested look most of the time. I honestly think he's sick of it all.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

orford is what? 25? Sign him up for 5 years and let a 5 year knights dynasty begin!

 

[les norton]

I havent read all the threads yet so this is possibly mentioned elsewhere...but apparently kidley's contract had a clause in it regarding johns. If he doesnt resign it may be opened back up to negotiate

Talk about the ripples in the pond.

 

[astrogirl]

:shock: :shock:

I definitely have not heard anything to that effect les

 

[antonius]

I wonder if that means for more money, (that assumes he would be the halfback), or that he was free to look elsewhere because he wanted to play alongside Johns. If it's the former then I think the fact ythe Knights have contacted Orford indicates they don't see Kidley as the Halfback answer, and to be truthful I don't reckon he is either.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

I wonder if that means for more money, (that assumes he would be the halfback), or that he was free to look elsewhere because he wanted to play alongside Johns. If it's the former then I think the fact ythe Knights have contacted Orford indicates they don't see Kidley as the Halfback answer, and to be truthful I don't reckon he is either.

Not yet anyway.. I am of the belief that kurts playmaking game will increase in leaps and bounds if he spends a few more years playing with a good established half.. He hasnt even played 1 season beside johns.. A few more years next to orford then i believe he will be good enough to lead a team around.

 

[les norton]

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1264&storyid=1519120

Thought i should post a link...sorry

 It emerged Kurt Gidley's contract with Newcastle could be clouded after he signed a new deal under the proviso that Johns would be at the Knights.
NRL chief executive David Gallop admitted Johns' departure would "break some hearts" in rugby league.
Gidley signed a two-year deal last week for lesser money than he could have obtained at other clubs given Johns would have taken a considerable amount of the Knights' salary cap.
Should Johns go, Gidley's contract states he can then re-negotiate his deal. His manager Daryl Mather would not comment last night.

 

[antonius]

So it appears Kurt took a pay cut, so the club could use the money to retain Johns?? This whole saga stinks more by the day.

 

[ironcross]

This is a sorry mess. I was one of the guys dead set on having Johns resign, but not.. I hope we get Orford.

Now with this Kurt Gidley contract, it's just looking pitiful. These guys have no team spirit. It's all money money money.

 

[Earl]

Just remember Orford will only be signing a 1 year deal and you won't be getting much change from 500k

 

[ironcross]

Just remember Orford will only be signing a 1 year deal and you won't be getting much change from 500k

Orford wants 1 year with Melbourne because of the CC team. However Newcastle is as close as he is going to get to his family, so I can't see why it would make a big difference. He may sign for a longer term with Newcastle.

 

[Earl]

Your being niave

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Id sign him for a year with a clause saying... If the central coast dosnt get in then he has to re-sign for 3 more years.

 

[ironcross]

Your being niave

Maybe, maybe not. The odds are he is more likely to sign a longer term deal with Newcastle, more then any other team.

 

[Earl]

Every club he has negiotiated with it has wanted a one year deal from. Newcastle would be no different despite being close to the central coast.

And CH, Melbourne tried that and IMO is the common sense way to do things. Hopefully Orford gets a slap in the face sometime soon, cause he needs a serious reality check.

 

[antonius]

Your being niave

Check the mirror Earl.

 

[Earl]

Whats wrong with my mirror?