Beaver to Bradford

[ozbash]

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

ENGLISH Super League club Bradford is reportedly poised to sign Manly great Steve Menzies.
Menzies, 34, is set to leave the Sea Eagles after 14 seasons and is believed to be considering finishing his career in England.

"The Bulls have more or less convinced him to have a farewell year in Super League," the Daily Express newspaper reported.

"Bulls' fans may question why the club is chasing a player who will be 35 in December, but second-row Menzies is still one of the fittest and most dedicated professionals in Australia, and can also fill in at centre or stand-off."

Menzies has also been linked with Salford and Widnes and his manager Wayne Beavis said another club had made a late expression of interest.

Beavis could not say if the club was an NRL or Super League side and said no decision had been made yet.

"I can't confirm anything at this stage, probably tomorrow I'd say we'd be making a decision," Beavis said.

"I've got another expression of interest so I'm just testing the water here and we'll see what happens.

"There's no decision on anything at this stage."

 

[ozbash]

http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au/news.asp?newsid=3506

17/07/2008 - By Manly Sea Eagles
Sea Eagles legend and arguably our greatest local product Steve Menzies today announced that 2008 will be his final season with the club after agreeing to terms with UK Super League Club Bradford Bulls for 1 year.

 

[roughyedspud]

shocking....he's nearly as old as stanley bloody gene....and he's older than gods dog

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Congratz to Bradford, you have a legend there who is still playing high class footy

Still doesn;t sit well with me he won't finish with Manly though

 

[bulos01]

worth every penny

 

[Billythekid]

Congratz to Bradford, you have a legend there who is still playing high class footy

Still doesn;t sit well with me he won't finish with Manly though

I'm not a Manly fan but i agree with this.

I was also hoping he would pass the record for most games played. Awesome player sad to see him go.

 

[jed]

Gotta be happy with this signing, he's also not a player that can be pidgeon-holed into the one position - the way we've suffered with injuries this year, we could've used someone that plays well in most positions.

I know it's only a 1 year deal, but I'd hope he would consider playing with us again in 2010 if his body holds up.

 

[ozbash]

Manly great Steve Menzies has announced he would finish his illustrious career in England, admitting he couldn't bear to stay in the National Rugby League (NRL) if it meant playing against his beloved club.

The 34-year-old backrower, known as 'Beaver', will join Super League side Bradford on a one-year deal in 2008, bringing to an end a 16-season career in the NRL.
He will finish his career in Australia as arguably rugby league's greatest clubman, with his loyalty to the Sea Eagles a rarity in the modern game.
Although technically listed as playing for two clubs, Menzies is considered a one-club man because of Manly's three-year involvement in the Northern Eagles joint-venture.
His 338 appearances for both clubs puts him well ahead of other leading one-club players – Cronulla's Andrew Ettingshausen (328) and Canberra's Jason Croker (318).
With the Sea Eagles deciding not to offer the veteran a contract extension due to salary cap restraints and Menzies keen to play on, the loyal backrower said he could only see himself continuing overseas.
"That wasn't an option, to play against Manly," Menzies said today.
"Growing up in the area and always supporting Manly and living here, it's the club I love and always will.
"So it wasn't really an option to run around against them."
Menzies said he had no regrets about the circumstances of his departure from the club and said he hoped his loyalty to the Sea Eagles would rub off on some of the club's upcoming stars.
"Even when I was 6 or 7, I always wanted to play for Manly and once I played first grade and played here for a few years, I could never really see myself playing for anyone else," Menzies said.
"You look at some of the local juniors here, the Anthony Watmoughs, the Jason Kings and Brett Stewarts, if those type of guys, if they can take a leaf out of my book then Manly's going to be in good hands for the future."
Menzies is only 12 matches off breaking Canterbury and Wests great Terry Lamb's all-time NRL appearances record of 349 games.
He could make it a fairytale farewell and eclipse the mark in this year's NRL grand final, provided he plays in their remaining eight round games and the Sea Eagles go all the way.
Ironically however, the league-leading Sea Eagles' superb form could threaten to rob him of the milestone.
If they finish the regular season first or second and win their opening finals match, it would mean they earn a week off in the second week of finals.
Menzies said he was unconcerned about the milestone and would look back on his career with pride no matter what happened this season.
"That's never going to come into the equation, having to break the record," Menzies said.
"Even if I fall one short and miss a game, that's the way it goes and I'm proud of what I've done."
Several other English clubs were reportedly interested in Menzies, including Salford and Widnes, but he said after a "tough decision" he chose the Bulls because of their rich rugby league history.
Menzies said playing a further year in England was a possibility and also said he could return to Manly in some other capacity in the future.
In the meantime, he said the fact he was leaving the NRL would take time to sink in.
"I don't think it's really dawned on me," said Menzies, who will release an autobiography next month.
"It's a sad time I suppose having played my whole career here, but obviously it's a new adventure for me and definitely one I'm looking forward to."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4621960a10713.html

 

[Tommax25]

I cant believe this was a management decision, this is unbelievable. I assumed that it was because menzies wanted a bumper pay day before retirement, not that the club ddnt make an offer! I wish that manly hadnt retained williamson last year for two years, his money could have kept a far better player, and a legend of the club. shame on manlys management

 

[JasonE]

At the other end of the scale, 16yo second rower James Donaldson is training full time with the Bulls SL squad. This kid is a gun and working alongside Menzies and Burgess should be great for him.