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Who will be next?
MICHAEL WESTLAKE
21sep03
STATE of Origin rugby league star Carl Webb has been told his first-grade career at Brisbane is over.
In the first stunning fall-out from Brisbane's disastrous season, coach Wayne Bennett told the powerhouse forward at a Friday meeting that
he would be granted a release if he wanted to play first grade at
another club.
Webb was told he would not get the chance to do that with the Broncos next year.
And there could be further shocks in store for Brisbane's demoralised squad, with at least another two members of this year's first-grade
squad understood to be facing the axe from the Broncos top 25.
A shake-up was inevitable after Brisbane lost seven successive premiership games and was then bundled out by Penrith in the first
week of the finals.
Such a savage reprimand against Webb is clearly a sign from
Bennett that this year's performance was unacceptable and a repeat
performance would not be tolerated.
Webb could not be contacted yesterday but it is understood he told Bennett he was prepared to fight his way back through the Toowoomba Clydesdales and prove he still could be a first-grade forward.
Webb signed a new two-year contract with the Broncos only last
season, rejecting what was believed to be a $300,000-a-season offer from North Queensland because of, his manager said at the time,
loyalty to Bennett. The deal was believed to be about half the Cowboys offer.
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen would not comment yesterday, other than to confirm that the remaining year of Webb's contract
would be honoured, but a release would be granted if requested.
"I am aware that Wayne will be talking to a number of players,
perhaps the whole group, during the off-season to get focused on the year ahead and talk about what has to be done," Cullen said.
The news is a stunning fall from grace for the 22-year-old, who
exploded on to the big stage with his famous bullocking try for Queensland in the first State of Origin game of 2001.
Webb was one of a host of Maroons rookies making his Origin debut
that night, but gained instant celebrity status after running over three NSW defenders to score.
Since then his form has failed to reach the same heights and he has endured long battles against injury, form and fitness.
The writing was on the wall two weeks ago when a frustrated Bennett dumped Webb from the first-grade squad to play St George Illawarra
in the last round of the minor premiership.
"I'm not going to go into details about it," Bennett said at the time.
"But the fact is he is not in the team and I've not been happy with
the way he's been playing for us."
Webb left training immediately after learning of his dumping, saying he was still hopeful he would get a call-up for the finals.
That call-up came in last weekend's elimination quarter final against Penrith, but his performance did not deliver the spark Bennett was seeking.
In 18 minutes, Webb had six hit-ups for 50m gained, six tackles,
three missed tackles and two penalties conceded.
Bennett began to lose patience with Webb after the Broncos loss
to Parramatta the week before the Dragons match.
With the Broncos in a worrying losing streak, Bennett hoped Webb
would stand up to produce his best when most needed.
But Bennett was said to have been disappointed.
Webb's manager Barry Collins did not want to comment yesterday.
Cowboys coach Graham Murray said he felt sorry for Webb and the predicament he faced, but North Queensland had no room under the salary cap to make a bid for him for next season.
"It is a shame for him, because we chased hard for him last season
and we think he would have been a good asset for us," Murray said.
"But we just don't have the room for him any more."
Aside from the Cowboys, Webb was also tempted by offers from the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors last year before he
re-signed with Brisbane.
Webb has a close relationship with former Queensland Origin captain
and coach Arthur Beetson, who is the Roosters development manager.
Beetson scouted Webb as a 15-year-old and tried to lure him to the Roosters, but the former amateur boxing champion elected to sign
with Brisbane.
But like most clubs, the Roosters have spent the majority of their
money available under the salary cap and would struggle to offer
Webb a contract that could lure him away from Brisbane.
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7325230%5E2764,00.html
Brad Meyers & Dane Carlaw should be a bit worried.
MICHAEL WESTLAKE
21sep03
STATE of Origin rugby league star Carl Webb has been told his first-grade career at Brisbane is over.
In the first stunning fall-out from Brisbane's disastrous season, coach Wayne Bennett told the powerhouse forward at a Friday meeting that
he would be granted a release if he wanted to play first grade at
another club.
Webb was told he would not get the chance to do that with the Broncos next year.
And there could be further shocks in store for Brisbane's demoralised squad, with at least another two members of this year's first-grade
squad understood to be facing the axe from the Broncos top 25.
A shake-up was inevitable after Brisbane lost seven successive premiership games and was then bundled out by Penrith in the first
week of the finals.
Such a savage reprimand against Webb is clearly a sign from
Bennett that this year's performance was unacceptable and a repeat
performance would not be tolerated.
Webb could not be contacted yesterday but it is understood he told Bennett he was prepared to fight his way back through the Toowoomba Clydesdales and prove he still could be a first-grade forward.
Webb signed a new two-year contract with the Broncos only last
season, rejecting what was believed to be a $300,000-a-season offer from North Queensland because of, his manager said at the time,
loyalty to Bennett. The deal was believed to be about half the Cowboys offer.
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen would not comment yesterday, other than to confirm that the remaining year of Webb's contract
would be honoured, but a release would be granted if requested.
"I am aware that Wayne will be talking to a number of players,
perhaps the whole group, during the off-season to get focused on the year ahead and talk about what has to be done," Cullen said.
The news is a stunning fall from grace for the 22-year-old, who
exploded on to the big stage with his famous bullocking try for Queensland in the first State of Origin game of 2001.
Webb was one of a host of Maroons rookies making his Origin debut
that night, but gained instant celebrity status after running over three NSW defenders to score.
Since then his form has failed to reach the same heights and he has endured long battles against injury, form and fitness.
The writing was on the wall two weeks ago when a frustrated Bennett dumped Webb from the first-grade squad to play St George Illawarra
in the last round of the minor premiership.
"I'm not going to go into details about it," Bennett said at the time.
"But the fact is he is not in the team and I've not been happy with
the way he's been playing for us."
Webb left training immediately after learning of his dumping, saying he was still hopeful he would get a call-up for the finals.
That call-up came in last weekend's elimination quarter final against Penrith, but his performance did not deliver the spark Bennett was seeking.
In 18 minutes, Webb had six hit-ups for 50m gained, six tackles,
three missed tackles and two penalties conceded.
Bennett began to lose patience with Webb after the Broncos loss
to Parramatta the week before the Dragons match.
With the Broncos in a worrying losing streak, Bennett hoped Webb
would stand up to produce his best when most needed.
But Bennett was said to have been disappointed.
Webb's manager Barry Collins did not want to comment yesterday.
Cowboys coach Graham Murray said he felt sorry for Webb and the predicament he faced, but North Queensland had no room under the salary cap to make a bid for him for next season.
"It is a shame for him, because we chased hard for him last season
and we think he would have been a good asset for us," Murray said.
"But we just don't have the room for him any more."
Aside from the Cowboys, Webb was also tempted by offers from the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors last year before he
re-signed with Brisbane.
Webb has a close relationship with former Queensland Origin captain
and coach Arthur Beetson, who is the Roosters development manager.
Beetson scouted Webb as a 15-year-old and tried to lure him to the Roosters, but the former amateur boxing champion elected to sign
with Brisbane.
But like most clubs, the Roosters have spent the majority of their
money available under the salary cap and would struggle to offer
Webb a contract that could lure him away from Brisbane.
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7325230%5E2764,00.html
Brad Meyers & Dane Carlaw should be a bit worried.
