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Woolford crisis talks
October 20, 2004
CANBERRA's Simon Woolford could not be guaranteed the first grade captaincy next season despite a special meeting with Raiders coach Matt Elliott yesterday.
The pair discussed Woolford's ongoing role with the club, but Elliott described the meeting as "direct, amicable and productive".
Woolford's manager Steve Stone called for the meeting amid constant speculation about the captaincy and whether his client would be re-signed after his current contract, which expires after 2005.
Stone was also worried about whether Canberra were poised to sign Dragons hooker Lincoln Withers. There have been suggestions that Woolford may be dumped as captain for Clinton Schifcofske.
Other rumours suggest Woolford, 29, will shift to England.
"Simon was concerned and Steve Stone rang to see if we could have a meeting," Elliott said last night.
"I was prepared to do that as long as Simon was there.
"Simon did come. I didn't want a 'he said, she said' type of situation.
"How do you say this -- there was stuff flying around [about Woolford] from outside the organisation and I don't know what their agendas are."
Elliott could not guarantee Woolford would be captain next season, saying: "Simon and I will discuss the captaincy like we do at the start of every year. I have given it zero consideration.
"The first person I will discuss it with is Simon.
"I will say I am not unhappy with Simon's performance.
"We'll discuss his performance like we discuss everyone's performance in the club, including mine. That will be done between him and I."
Elliott denied suggestions Woolford wants to quit the Raiders.
"That wasn't conveyed to me," Elliott said.
"He spoke to me today and it was productive and we talked about things going forward. The meeting was direct and amicable."
Woolford said the rumours had prompted yesterday's meeting but admitted he wanted to remain a Canberra Raider for life.
"My manager had heard rumours that my future at the club was limited and the captaincy was
supposedly being taken off me," Woolford said.
"We wanted a meeting to discuss this. Matt and I will talk about the captaincy at the start of the season. It's been my goal to be a one-club man but that doesn't always guarantee smooth sailing."
Woolford and Stone were concerned about unsubstantiated talk that the Raiders were willing to offer Withers $890,000 over four years.
Elliott laughed at the figure but did say: "Lincoln can scratch an itch for us if Simon falls over."
The Daily Telegraph
October 20, 2004
CANBERRA's Simon Woolford could not be guaranteed the first grade captaincy next season despite a special meeting with Raiders coach Matt Elliott yesterday.
The pair discussed Woolford's ongoing role with the club, but Elliott described the meeting as "direct, amicable and productive".
Woolford's manager Steve Stone called for the meeting amid constant speculation about the captaincy and whether his client would be re-signed after his current contract, which expires after 2005.
Stone was also worried about whether Canberra were poised to sign Dragons hooker Lincoln Withers. There have been suggestions that Woolford may be dumped as captain for Clinton Schifcofske.
Other rumours suggest Woolford, 29, will shift to England.
"Simon was concerned and Steve Stone rang to see if we could have a meeting," Elliott said last night.
"I was prepared to do that as long as Simon was there.
"Simon did come. I didn't want a 'he said, she said' type of situation.
"How do you say this -- there was stuff flying around [about Woolford] from outside the organisation and I don't know what their agendas are."
Elliott could not guarantee Woolford would be captain next season, saying: "Simon and I will discuss the captaincy like we do at the start of every year. I have given it zero consideration.
"The first person I will discuss it with is Simon.
"I will say I am not unhappy with Simon's performance.
"We'll discuss his performance like we discuss everyone's performance in the club, including mine. That will be done between him and I."
Elliott denied suggestions Woolford wants to quit the Raiders.
"That wasn't conveyed to me," Elliott said.
"He spoke to me today and it was productive and we talked about things going forward. The meeting was direct and amicable."
Woolford said the rumours had prompted yesterday's meeting but admitted he wanted to remain a Canberra Raider for life.
"My manager had heard rumours that my future at the club was limited and the captaincy was
supposedly being taken off me," Woolford said.
"We wanted a meeting to discuss this. Matt and I will talk about the captaincy at the start of the season. It's been my goal to be a one-club man but that doesn't always guarantee smooth sailing."
Woolford and Stone were concerned about unsubstantiated talk that the Raiders were willing to offer Withers $890,000 over four years.
Elliott laughed at the figure but did say: "Lincoln can scratch an itch for us if Simon falls over."
The Daily Telegraph
