Confirmed: OrFord only wants a 1 year deal

[Hurriflatch]

MELBOURNE

Halfback Matt Orford's latest demand is understood to be a massive $500,000 for just one season. "That is private but the supply-and-demand situation for halfbacks is unique right now," said Mimis, who confirmed Orford only wanted a one-year deal. "It is not outrageous to suspect one of the top three or four halfbacks could be paid $500,000."

SMH

also

PARRAMATTA

Five-eighth Michael Witt was yesterday charged with a grade-one dangerous throw, which carries a two-week suspension due to carryover points.

 

[WA Eel]

To quote from The Castle "tell him he's dreamin".

I don't think we should go after him then. We're at the stage where we're building a team for the next few years and signing a 1/2 for 1 year wouldn't really achieve anything.

 

[mickdo]

I think it is outrageous if he only wants a one year deal. See ya later Matty... :roll:

 

[bartman]

500K for one season?!

Forget that for a joke.... Who does he think he is - Sterlo?

 

[Wagonator]

That's pathetic, screw that idea. Witty will get there, hes been back for 2 games. He was rusty in his debut last year, by the end of the year, he was a regular traffic cop. Tim Smith is also a great prospect, maybe the long term plan is Witty at 5/8 and Smith in the 7?

 

[Eelectrica]

If it's a $500k "Take or leave it" deal - leave it.
But if we could sign him up to a a base salary of around $300k, with the rest made up through incentives. Incentives where he hits the $500k jackpot after a grand final win I say take it.

 

[Twizzle]

some one has tickets on himself

get real Orford, your not that good.

 

[Agent Mulder]

500K and only for 1 season?
Cya Buddy,Thanks but no thanks.

 

[The Colonel]

More than tickets one thinks. He is rating himself in the Johnsesque class now and he has not even played rep football aside from City v Country. He is a good halfback CAPABLE of guiding a team to a premiership but if he wants those sort of dollars he needs to go and lead Melbourne to the premiership this year.

Honestly he would be better priced at 300k-350k per season. Admittedly the laws of supply and demand are at work at the moment but realistically to eat up 15% of your salary cap when we already have players being paid in excess of 300k is ridiculous. We would lose more than Tim Smith at that rate. :roll:

 

[Misty Bee]

Yeah, but you see who bites. I reckon he'll get close to that for leaving. Maybe $400k, but as has been said, with incentives etc, it's possible. Watch Souths and Brisbane nibble - maybe even Newy.

I reckon we should do as Eelectrica suggested. Offer @$300 + incenives. Some for origin (he'll get there eventually seeing that Noddy and Joey are ageing).

I can recall also, chillingly, how, a few years back, that Newcastle offered a huge lump of $ for Ben Kennedy - and the Knights supporters howled in protest. Then he played the game of his life in the 2001 GF, and no one even gave the $ a thought.

While half a mil might be too high, if anyone can afford it it's Parra. I'm sick of potential big buys for us going elsewhere. Since Gibson left, I can only think of Lindner and Dykes being big buys for us (apart from the surreal circumstances of 1995 - and even then we missed on a decent halfback).

And, if we DID give him his half a mil, we would still have $350k to spend. And a year at half a mil would mean he would still be playing for a contract in 2005, meaning we would be guaranteed of his best. And it wouldn't be hard to whackan 'option' clause in there somewhere.

As for his rep status, do you employ someone for what they did elsewhere, or what they can do for you? Being a non re half means you keep him for 3 important games midyear. have a look at how Melbourne are travelling ATM!

Don't pull out of negs now Fitzy. Orford could be the biggest hafback buy since Sterlo.

We are a dreggs club. We need to change that. I say go for it.

And I still reckon it would secure Tim Smith's future with us.

 

[The Colonel]

But do you sign a player for $500,000 for ONE season and risk him sitting the back half of it on the sideline as we did with Dykes? If after his season is up and he wants to move on its a lot of cash for half a seasons work. You would have ended up with the likes of Tim Smith or Witt playing in the same role anyways.

If he came at a more realistic price with incentives for representative selection that would be fantastic. I think Orford is a great player and would like to see him in the blue and gold but on a one year deal worth as much as he wants its a HUGE risk.

If he is willing to compromise to a longer term deal over two or three years then I hope Fitzy keeps in there.

 

[Eels Dude]

That's a joke. If any club was offering him 500K just for one season then the coaching officials and excutives should be sacked immediately. What really is the point, from a club's perspective, to pay so much money yet get only such a small service. I really hope Parramatta back out now. If also hope Melbourne tell him to get lost and take a reality check.

There are only two plays in the NRL who should be paid that money and they are Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer. The only way he's going to get anywhere near 500K is if he accepts a long term deal, halfback is a position you build your side around and it cannot be done in one season.

 

[Freak]

Not sure how Joey will react to this.
I dare say he will believe he is worth more being the best player in the world and all. :roll:

I also believe Orford is hanging out for a decision on the possible Central Coast side. They could deffinently afford the so called $500,000

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Orford signed a 1 year deal with Melbourne, maybe if the CC are included in the 2006 competition, he might go to there.

As for Witt I am p*ssed off, the judicary is a joke. :x , if Hodges gets less then Parrramatta is so hard done by. First Cayless, then Peek, now Witt.

 

[Earl]

He wants the 1 year deal in hope of a CC team for 2006.

Cmon Gold Coast :lol:

 

[The Godfather]

Orford wants a 1 year deal.
Smith does not use the same halfback for more than one season.,

Freeman, Simon, Kusto :evil: , Penna, Taylor, McFadden, Drew, Green, Witt, Dykes.

Perfect match.

 

[The Colonel]

Orford wants a 1 year deal.
Smith does not use the same halfback for more than one season.,

Freeman, Simon, Kusto :evil: , Penna, Taylor, McFadden, Drew, Green, Witt, Dykes.

Perfect match.

Touche!

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Not sure how Joey will react to this.
I dare say he will believe he is worth more being the best player in the world and all. :roll:

Joeys current contract is only 475,000 a season. A lot less than what other clubs were offering him.

 

[Adam Spadam]

There's no way we should waste that much money on Orford.

The $500K would be better served investing in players such as Mark Riddell, Brent Kite and a fast outside back...

I'm not sure what Phil Graham's current contractual situation is, but he cant be too happy playing lower grades in Canberra, he's a player I'd like to see in our backline.

 

[Pazza]

Forget about Orford!

I am sure that Witt, Dykes and Smith will be fine for next season.