Club intensifies chase for Orford following news Campese may miss 2011

[Parra Future]

Source - Link :-
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...se-may-miss-2011/story-e6frexnr-1225939606318

Club intesifies chase for Orford following news Campese may miss 2011

• David Riccio
• From: The Sunday Telegraph
• October 17, 2010 12:01AM

Raiders target ... Matt Orford playing for the Bradford Bulls in 2010. Picture: Phil Cole Source: The Sunday Telegraph



CANBERRA'S bid to sign premiership-winning halfback Matt Orford has intensified after shock news that star playmaker Terry Campese is likely to miss the entire 2011 season.

The Raiders are frontrunners, ahead of Parramatta, to lure Orford back to the NRL if he can gain a release from English Super League club Bradford.
The homesick 32-year-old has 14 days to secure an NRL deal, with Bradford officials expecting him back for pre-season training on November 1.
It has been widely reported that Orford's long-standing relationship with newly-appointed Eels coach Stephen Kearney would clinch a deal at Parramatta, who are desperate for an experienced half.
While Orford remains interested in joining the Eels after playing with Kearney at the Melbourne Storm from 2001-2004, the Raiders are confident he can solve their own playmaking dilemma in the absence of Campese.
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The Raiders five-eighth tore the posterior and anterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee during the semi-final loss to the Wests Tigers. The damage is so severe chief executive Don Furner said it would be a "bonus" if he was back before the end of next year.
"Campo will do all the right things, but really ... if he can come back in May it's going to take a couple of months of fitness, firstly, but also it's about getting that confidence in the knee," Furner said.
"We won't be rushing him."
It leaves the Raiders hoping that Orford, whose last NRL appearance was with Manly in 2009, will answer their SOS call.
Furner wouldn't be drawn on the club's interest in Orford, but there's no denying that he is favouring Canberra over the Eels.
If he heads to the nation's capital, it would prove another embarrassing blow for Parramatta.
The Eels' hit-list of targets has rapidly become a miss-list, with Brett Kimmorley, Trent Barrett, Quade Cooper, Craig Gower, Cooper Cronk and Braith Anasta all identified by former coach Daniel Anderson and the current board as solutions to their halves crisis.
And it's the instability at the Eels over the past 18 months that gives Canberra the edge when it comes to Orford. The Raiders are booming with one of the hottest and most exciting squads in the game.
By signing with the Raiders, he would also avoid the pressure placed on anyone who wears the Eels' No. 7 jersey to emulate the great Peter Sterling and deliver a first premiership since 1986.
Orford is holidaying in Bali, but is expected to seek a formal release from Bradford this week. It had been reported Cronulla were eager to sign him, but the Sharks have no interest in his services.

 

[bartman]

Hmmm, interesting.

If Orford gets his release from Bradford, and if Canberra gets his signature leaving us with a unspent money in the bank account - having publicly courted several signings that didn't come off - I wonder how Ossie and Spags will explain it all?

Despite claims in some areas that everything is hunky dory at our club, you can't deny there has been instability there since the upheavals of last election. Players talk, and very few players from elsewhere are choosing to sign up.

Will it again somehow become DA's fault? :lol:

 

[Bigfella]

Who gives a rat's arse about speculating about who to blame before it happens?

Yawn yawn yawn.

Why dont you go and live in the compound with your mate Casper? He will have plenty of tin foil hats to go around.

Or bad mouthing the club in the nrl forum with a whole heap of speculation.

You might as well pick yourself up a raiders jersey at Peter wynn's while you're at it.

 

[strider]

seriously bart - is that the first thing that pops into your head when you read this article?

gettin' a bit obsessive i think

 

[Jake the snake]

Bartman,

It would seem that you would want Parra to fail just to gain a cheap political point.
Piss poor mate.

 

[Twizzle]

personally, I'd rather the Raiders got Orford

we need to raise the bar

 

[Gronk]

personally, I'd rather the Raiders got Orford

we need to raise the bar

I agree but am concerned that we'll come 12th again. Not good for membership and sponsors.

 

[Western_Eel]

Hmmm, interesting.

If Orford gets his release from Bradford, and if Canberra gets his signature leaving us with a unspent money in the bank account - having publicly courted several signings that didn't come off - I wonder how Ossie and Spags will explain it all?

Despite claims in some areas that everything is hunky dory at our club, you can't deny there has been instability there since the upheavals of last election. Players talk, and very few players from elsewhere are choosing to sign up.

Will it again somehow become DA's fault? :lol:

You dont have to spend all of the cap, if we dont end up signing anyone i think we will do just fine!

 

[mrpwnd]

You dont have to spend all of the cap, if we dont end up signing anyone i think we will do just fine!

I wish I had that level of optimism

 

[bartman]

Who gives a rat's arse about speculating about who to blame before it happens?

Yawn yawn yawn.

Why dont you go and live in the compound with your mate Casper? He will have plenty of tin foil hats to go around.

Or bad mouthing the club in the nrl forum with a whole heap of speculation.

You might as well pick yourself up a raiders jersey at Peter wynn's while you're at it.

??? Hmm, that's not the tone that I read my comment/opinion in, but all the best to you too bigfella.

seriously bart - is that the first thing that pops into your head when you read this article?

gettin' a bit obsessive i think

It actually was my first thought - anda fleeting one that left my mind as soon as I typed it. If that's obsession, so be it.

Bartman,

It would seem that you would want Parra to fail just to gain a cheap political point.
Piss poor mate.

Geez, where does wanting Parra to fail come into it at all?

My point is that after publicising every player we're chasing, and with a report that we may actually not have it all our own way on Orford, we may left without any new blood in the halves, which has been identified as our main barrier moving forward. I'll be interested in the explanation by our club - I haven't blamed anyone, just made a joke about it being Ando's fault (I nearly wrote Hagan as well :lol.

 

[bartman]

You dont have to spend all of the cap, if we dont end up signing anyone i think we will do just fine!

I have no confidence about next year, personally.

The players didn't lift last year, and I see no reason why they'd lift for a new coach - logically I'd imagine some/most of them would be pretty pissed off that their boss changed unexpectedly.

The players (well basically the same bunch) DID perform for Ando the year before (or at least enough for a late run to the finals, and then three good wins in the semis), so anything's possible.... Just that I haven't seen anything I can be confident is a solution to fixing whatever is at the core of the inconsistency yet? We need something new in the playing roster badly, imo.

 

[eel01s]

It's no surprise that Canberra are favourite to snare Orford, after all he seems to be our third choice behind Cronk and Thurston (even though I think they are bulls**t rumours).

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I have no confidence about next year, personally.

The players didn't lift last year, and I see no reason why they'd lift for a new coach

Of course they'll lift for a new coach - players always do.

logically I'd imagine some/most of them would be pretty pissed off that their boss changed unexpectedly.

The players don't get obsessive about their 'heroes' the way the fans do. Probably because they have far fewer heroes than the fans. The players understand football is business, and I think they'll be excited about playing under a coach that is so highly respected in the game.

Don't underestimate the credibility Kearney brings for his exploits as a player. I mean, logically, his playing ability should have nothing to do with his ability as a coach but respect is a funny thing. And a coach who's played over 200 first grade games, captained his country and won a premiership will have the respect of everybody.

It's clear that Anderson didn't have the respect of all the players, and his lack of credibility as a player himself would certainly have contributed to that. While we might sit here and say it's childish, and that the players should resepct the coach no matter what he achieved as a player, the fact is it's very difficult to show respect for somebody when you don't feel it.

And they are just footy players after all.

Even with no new signings I think we can make the finals next year. Mortimer will improve, and Murray could be a first grader as early as next year.

 

[parra pete]

personally, I'd rather the Raiders got Orford

we need to raise the bar

Me too....

 

[Snoochies]

Wouldn't blame Orford going to Canberra. It seems we are after someone to fill the gap for next season only and Canberra may be able to offer something longer.

I'm under the impression and correct me if I'm wrong, that 2012 we should be able to sign a long term halfback since there will be more on the market? Please correct me here.

Be happy to try some of the rookies next season, the rookies seem to excel at Parra in their first year so that would be our 1 year fix right there.

 

[fish eel]

Who gives a rat's arse about speculating about who to blame before it happens?

Yawn yawn yawn.

Why dont you go and live in the compound with your mate Casper? He will have plenty of tin foil hats to go around.

Or bad mouthing the club in the nrl forum with a whole heap of speculation.

You might as well pick yourself up a raiders jersey at Peter wynn's while you're at it.

seriously bart - is that the first thing that pops into your head when you read this article?

gettin' a bit obsessive i think

Bartman,

It would seem that you would want Parra to fail just to gain a cheap political point.
Piss poor mate.

Didnt you guys get the memo about trying to link every possible thread to boardroom incompetence? :crazy:

 

[bartman]

And now to respond to a real contribution to the thread discussion... ;-)

Of course they'll lift for a new coach - players always do.



The players don't get obsessive about their 'heroes' the way the fans do. Probably because they have far fewer heroes than the fans. The players understand football is business, and I think they'll be excited about playing under a coach that is so highly respected in the game.

Don't underestimate the credibility Kearney brings for his exploits as a player. I mean, logically, his playing ability should have nothing to do with his ability as a coach but respect is a funny thing. And a coach who's played over 200 first grade games, captained his country and won a premiership will have the respect of everybody.

It's clear that Anderson didn't have the respect of all the players, and his lack of credibility as a player himself would certainly have contributed to that. While we might sit here and say it's childish, and that the players should resepct the coach no matter what he achieved as a player, the fact is it's very difficult to show respect for somebody when you don't feel it.

And they are just footy players after all.

Even with no new signings I think we can make the finals next year. Mortimer will improve, and Murray could be a first grader as early as next year.

You make some good points Poupou.

The first year impress the coach factor will be in our favour. I guess I was just likening the coach sacking to any of our workplaces where our supervisor moves on there is the suspicion of ill-treatment in the air... it can leave a sense of uneasiness and impact on motivation.

I don't think it's clear Anderson didn't have the respect of the players - it's just a rumour. The only player that spoke out was Tahu (and that was after the event) - and he's been outnumbered by players making supportive comments re Ando.

We know what this squad of player can do on their day - the disappointing thing is that they haven't shown the consistency required. I'm not expecting anything better than last year or the year before (eg borderline 8th at best) until they show consistency under Kearney, or we recruit someone in key positions.

But I respect that you have valid opinions, and even though they differ from mine, don't seek to belittle you with a smart arsed personal post in reply :thumn.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Thanks mate.

There certainly is far too much bullsh*t around here, though it's understandable given the natures both of the internet and of sports fans.

I'd like to post more and have in-depth discussions of the game but there's far too much preoccupation with why so-and-so is a f**kwit.

 

[Djay]

Wouldn't blame Orford going to Canberra. It seems we are after someone to fill the gap for next season only and Canberra may be able to offer something longer.

I'm under the impression and correct me if I'm wrong, that 2012 we should be able to sign a long term halfback since there will be more on the market? Please correct me here.

Be happy to try some of the rookies next season, the rookies seem to excel at Parra in their first year so that would be our 1 year fix right there.

TBH I was thinking that to, maybe if a rookie half can have an awesome first year we are covered for next year. Come the end of the season then we should look to buy a good FG halfback.

 

[Redback71]

be good if we could spent some money on players at the club for future season if we fail to sign anyone. But I believe the NRL does not allow that.