Bombshell expected from Riddell, Kite

[The Colonel]

Bombshell expected from Riddell, Kite
By Brad Walter and Alex Brown
June 22, 2004


St George Illawarra hooker Mark Riddell is today expected to confirm a $1 million deal with Parramatta, and the Dragons are bracing themselves to lose teammate Brent Kite to Manly for even more money.

Riddell and Kite yesterday said they would decide on their playing futures within the next 48 hours but the Herald was told that both had advised St George Illawarra they were leaving.

Each said they wanted to stay but the Dragons could not match the money rival clubs were prepared to pay, with the Eels understood to have offered Riddell $330,000 per season over three years.

NSW representative Kite joined St George Illawarra on $20,000 three years ago but will now earn more than $350,000 for the next four seasons.

Despite offers from up to 11 clubs, it had always been assumed he would return to Canberra but the Sea Eagles are believed to have weighed in with a late offer worth $1.4 million in total.

It is understood Manly will pay Kite and fellow big-name recruit Ben Kennedy a sign-on fee this season.

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Riddell yesterday confirmed the Parramatta offer was more lucrative but said "many factors", not merely money, were involved in his decision.

Dragons captain Trent Barrett conceded the club would need a miracle to hold onto both Kite and Riddell next season.

"We'd love a miracle to happen and both of them to stay but we're resigned to losing at least one of them," Barrett said.

Centre Mark Gasnier, meanwhile, remained non-committal yesterday when asked his preferred club for 2005. The Dragons centre, who scored four tries against the West Tigers on Sunday, still has over two years remaining on his contract but may opt to leave at season's end.

Meanwhile, Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay last night said he was coming to Australia to watch the third State of Origin match.

When asked whether he would be approaching any players, Lindsay said: "I have got nobody on my list. I haven't spoken to anybody. I'm coming to Australia and I'm coming for the third State of Origin game.

"I will obviously speak to any manager that wants to have a cup of coffee and a spot of lunch."

Elsewhere, Shaun McRae - favourite for the vacant South Sydney coaching job - is today expected to advise British club Hull that he is returning to Australia next season.

McCrae told reporters after Sunday's 42-26 defeat of London that he would be meeting Hull chief executive David Plummer to discuss his future.

"I've not spoken to South Sydney at the moment, although my name has been put forward," he said.

Britain halfback Richard Horne, who plays for Hull, has also been linked to Souths, while teammate Jason Smith - the former Bulldogs and Parramatta international - is expected to sign with Canberra, possibly as early as today.

 

[The Colonel]

The Telegraph reports the deal is for three years and $250,000 per season which would be more realistic unless the above amount includes incentives as well.

 

[Parraren]

Spot on Colonel, the deal includes incentives for rep honours etc..The SMH figure is WAY over the top.

The base figure is $800k over 3 years i'm told ($267k per year).

 

[The Colonel]

$2m threat to Dragons
By Dean Ritchie
June 22, 2004

ST GEORGE Illawarra hooker Mark Riddell will join Parramatta and teammate Brent Kite is poised to sign with Manly as the Dragons continue to be dismantled by a $2 million raid on their playing stocks.

After a day of developments and twists yesterday, Riddell has all but agreed to play the next three years with Parramatta in a deal worth $750,000.

And Kite is close to joining Manly - and not Canberra - on a four-year contract worth an estimated $1.3million.

The departures of Riddell, Kite and Brett Firman - who signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Roosters last week worth $450,000 - will allow the Dragons to remain under the NRL's $3.25million salary cap.

But the side which humiliated Wests Tigers 50-0 on Sunday is being torn apart because of salary cap restraints.

Riddell, 23 and a representative hooker, is understood to be ready to announce he has accepted the Eels' offer but is yet to officially sign a contract.

An announcement could be made tomorrow.

Kite, a NSW State of Origin forward, is certain to leave the Dragons and is considering offers from Manly, Canberra and the Warriors.

The Sea Eagles are favourites although club executive director Paul Cummings stressed last night no deal has been done.

Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said of their negotiations with Riddell: "We're in with a chance and are hopeful." Wigan chief Maurice Lindsay arrives in Sydney next week and is expected to have another shot at centre Mark Gasnier, the four-try hero from Sunday.

Lindsay unsuccessfully chased Gasnier last year.

Although he has a year remaining on his contract, Gasnier is likely to be granted permission to join Wigan by Dragons management if a deal can be secured.

Gasnier is known to be attracted to the anonymity of northern England. He could command an offer of around $750,000 a season from Wigan.

While three key players could leave, the Dragons are close to re-signing representative players Jason Ryles and Ben Hornby.

The only query is whether the pair sign two or three-year contracts.

Dragons prop Ashton Sims will have minor knee surgery this week and miss three to four matches.

NSW player Shaun Timmins will have a strength test on an injured shoulder later this week, but is hopeful of being passed fit to play Souths on Sunday at the SCG.

Winger Nathan Blacklock is expected back from a hamstring injury in round 18.

The Daily Telegraph

 

[strider]

Spot on Colonel, the deal includes incentives for rep honours etc..The SMH figure is WAY over the top.

The base figure is $800k over 3 years i'm told ($267k per year).

Are you Parramatta's accountant or something? - where are you getting all this from

 

[Twizzle]

I cant get excited over the pig

if he was worth this much he would have played rep footy by now

another eating mate for Dean Widders over the off season

 

[Parraren]

Are you Parramatta's accountant or something? - where are you getting all this from

:lol: I wish.

I have very good source(s) at the dragons...not the BBQ variety either ;-)

 

[Jake the snake]

I think that 270K is ok but definately not 330K. Thankgod we did not give him that much.

The Pig and Moriss will be lethal out of dummy half.

 

[The Colonel]

If he was worth this much he would have played rep footy by now

He has played for City Country the last two years and at 23 time is on his side..... ;-)

 

[Parraren]

I think the thing with Riddell that alot of people (other than Dragons fans) don't realise is that he is an INSPIRATIONAL type player. He has the ability (much like Hindy) to lift a side and make the players around him lift and play above themselves. His enthusiasm and positive attitude to the game rubs off on his team mates. He is also a very marketable player, a crowd favourite and an icon of the game. He will bring more to the club than just his football ability. A wise purchase, hopefully there will be more to come...

 

[Dragons Cross]

You're absolutely right parraren, you have to look at the total package that you get from Riddell not just the amout of minutes a game that he plays.

 

[The Colonel]

I think the thing with Riddell that alot of people (other than Dragons fans) don't realise is that he is an INSPIRATIONAL type player. He has the ability (much like Hindy) to lift a side and make the players around him lift and play above themselves. His enthusiasm and positive attitude to the game rubs off on his team mates. He is also a very marketable player, a crowd favourite and an icon of the game. He will bring more to the club than just his football ability. A wise purchase, hopefully there will be more to come...

:iwstupid:

 

[Stagger eel]

I don't think the reported amount of 330K is actually correct! If it was I'd be slightly puzzeled.

 

[Stagger eel]

I think the thing with Riddell that alot of people (other than Dragons fans) don't realise is that he is an INSPIRATIONAL type player. He has the ability (much like Hindy) to lift a side and make the players around him lift and play above themselves. His enthusiasm and positive attitude to the game rubs off on his team mates. He is also a very marketable player, a crowd favourite and an icon of the game. He will bring more to the club than just his football ability. A wise purchase, hopefully there will be more to come...

:iwstupid:

Your kidding Colonel???

that was one of the smartest post ever written, even backed up by dragons fan.

 

[The Godfather]

Hey Jamie !!! Come back, we've signed a pig !!

 

[The Colonel]

I think the thing with Riddell that alot of people (other than Dragons fans) don't realise is that he is an INSPIRATIONAL type player. He has the ability (much like Hindy) to lift a side and make the players around him lift and play above themselves. His enthusiasm and positive attitude to the game rubs off on his team mates. He is also a very marketable player, a crowd favourite and an icon of the game. He will bring more to the club than just his football ability. A wise purchase, hopefully there will be more to come...

:iwstupid:

Your kidding Colonel???

that was one of the smartest post ever written, even backed up by dragons fan.

I'm with Parraren on what he said stupid ;-) .......

 

[Parraren]

Hey Jamie !!! Come back, we've signed a pig !!

:lol: good call

 

[mickdo]

Great signing if it happens. Well done Smithy.

 

[Eels Dude]

If 330 K is being offered then that is a deadset joke, there is no way he worse anywhere near that amount. 270k i can put up with, though if I didn't have the other figure to compare with i'd probably consider that over-priced as well.

 

[The Colonel]

If 330 K is being offered then that is a deadset joke, there is no way he worse anywhere near that amount. 270k i can put up with, though if I didn't have the other figure to compare with i'd probably consider that over-priced as well.

I think you'll find that the money being quoted is based on incentives should he be selected to play Origin etc..... as stated in an earlier thread the base is between $250 - $270