raidersforme
Juniors
- Messages
- 487
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=rugby%20league&story_id=502679&category=Rugby%20League&m=8&y=2006
Costigan eyes up Raiders Bid to shore up forward stocks
Peter Fitzgerald
Thursday, 17 August 2006
The Canberra Raiders will fly former Brisbane Broncos sacking Neville Costigan to the national capital tomorrow in a bid to sign him on a three-year deal from 2007.
The Canberra Times understands Costigan, who Brisbane sacked last week for drink-driving, will meet Raiders general manager Don Furner and assistant coach David Furner for a tour of the club's Bruce facilities.
Initial plans involved Don Furner meeting incoming coach Neil Henry and Costigan in Brisbane on Friday so the coach could meet the player before deciding on a contract offer.
But because of commitments with his incumbent club, North Queensland, Henry was unable to guarantee his availability for the proposed meeting in Brisbane, hence the late change of plans. Furner confirmed the Raiders' genuine interest in the sacked star and hoped to lure Costigan on "a minimum two-year deal".
"On one front we would obviously like [Costigan] to come here and look at the operations, the facilities and meet a couple of people at the club," Furner said. "On the other front, we would like him to meet the coach.
"Unfortunately, both scenarios are not possible and with it being too tough for Neil to get away for a day, I hope Neville will come here."
The Raiders and Melbourne Storm remain the only two clubs vying for Costigan's signature after the Cowboys yesterday officially withdrew from the race.
Cowboys football manager Kelly Egan held informal talks with Costigan while in Mackay early this week after the 21-year-old revealed the North Queensland club was set to offer him a two-year deal.
But Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr confirmed yesterday the club had had a change of heart about recruiting Costigan, whose contract with Brisbane was terminated last Thursday after a series of off-field indiscretions.
"We won't be pursuing Neville," Parr said. "It was a decision made after a lot of consultation between the coaching staff and our board of directors."
Meanwhile, Furner said Raiders fans could expect at least two, possibly three more player signings for next season.
While content the backline depth for 2007 was adequate, Furner and Henry believed a couple more forwards were required.
From the 2006 forward pack, Canberra has already lost Jason Croker (Les Catalans Dragons), Michael Hodgson (Gold Coast Titans) and Simon Woolford (St George-Illawarra).
Second-rower Tom Learoyd-Lahrs will have a knee reconstruction tomorrow which will rule him out for the first half of the season, prop Andrew Lomu will have neck surgery next week and Terry Martin is still contemplating a move to England.
"You're always going to get injuries up front so there'll be another two or three names added," Furner said.
"Hopefully Neville [Costigan] will fill one of those holes and who knows after that." The Raiders have the bye in the NRL this week before playing host to the top-of-the-table Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium the following Saturday afternoon.
Interesting comments at the end there three more signing's
Costigan eyes up Raiders Bid to shore up forward stocks
Peter Fitzgerald
Thursday, 17 August 2006
The Canberra Raiders will fly former Brisbane Broncos sacking Neville Costigan to the national capital tomorrow in a bid to sign him on a three-year deal from 2007.
The Canberra Times understands Costigan, who Brisbane sacked last week for drink-driving, will meet Raiders general manager Don Furner and assistant coach David Furner for a tour of the club's Bruce facilities.
Initial plans involved Don Furner meeting incoming coach Neil Henry and Costigan in Brisbane on Friday so the coach could meet the player before deciding on a contract offer.
But because of commitments with his incumbent club, North Queensland, Henry was unable to guarantee his availability for the proposed meeting in Brisbane, hence the late change of plans. Furner confirmed the Raiders' genuine interest in the sacked star and hoped to lure Costigan on "a minimum two-year deal".
"On one front we would obviously like [Costigan] to come here and look at the operations, the facilities and meet a couple of people at the club," Furner said. "On the other front, we would like him to meet the coach.
"Unfortunately, both scenarios are not possible and with it being too tough for Neil to get away for a day, I hope Neville will come here."
The Raiders and Melbourne Storm remain the only two clubs vying for Costigan's signature after the Cowboys yesterday officially withdrew from the race.
Cowboys football manager Kelly Egan held informal talks with Costigan while in Mackay early this week after the 21-year-old revealed the North Queensland club was set to offer him a two-year deal.
But Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr confirmed yesterday the club had had a change of heart about recruiting Costigan, whose contract with Brisbane was terminated last Thursday after a series of off-field indiscretions.
"We won't be pursuing Neville," Parr said. "It was a decision made after a lot of consultation between the coaching staff and our board of directors."
Meanwhile, Furner said Raiders fans could expect at least two, possibly three more player signings for next season.
While content the backline depth for 2007 was adequate, Furner and Henry believed a couple more forwards were required.
From the 2006 forward pack, Canberra has already lost Jason Croker (Les Catalans Dragons), Michael Hodgson (Gold Coast Titans) and Simon Woolford (St George-Illawarra).
Second-rower Tom Learoyd-Lahrs will have a knee reconstruction tomorrow which will rule him out for the first half of the season, prop Andrew Lomu will have neck surgery next week and Terry Martin is still contemplating a move to England.
"You're always going to get injuries up front so there'll be another two or three names added," Furner said.
"Hopefully Neville [Costigan] will fill one of those holes and who knows after that." The Raiders have the bye in the NRL this week before playing host to the top-of-the-table Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium the following Saturday afternoon.
Interesting comments at the end there three more signing's
