Graham sticks with Raiders despite coach uncertainty
Peter Fitzgerald
Tuesday, 28 February 2006
Phil Graham will today become the first Canberra Raiders player to re-sign with the club without knowing who the future coach will be. Graham will ink a three-year deal this afternoon, bringing to an end six weeks of negotiations between his manager Jim Banaghan and Canberra.
The utility player was set to re-sign a fortnight ago but held back on his decision when coach Matt Elliott announced he would leave the club at the end of the season.
After discussing the issue with Elliott, Raiders management and Banaghan, Graham verbally agreed to the deal and will make it official today.
Despite contrary reports, Graham had not been in negotiations with the NRL's newest franchise, the Gold Coast Titans, for the 2007 season.
The 24-year-old was born in Tamworth in northern NSW but the Raiders had not given him permission to negotiate with rival clubs prior to the NRL's June 30 anti-tampering deadline.
"I wanted to stay in Canberra all along so this is the ideal result for me," Graham said yesterday.
"I've just bought a unit here in Canberra and have enjoyed my time at the club so far so I was keen to stay.
"I'm glad it's all done before the season starts so I can just concentrate on footy now."
Graham does not have a clause in his new contract for an early release pending the announcement of the club's new coach.
He said yesterday he had faith in club management to make the right decision and didn't feel he needed an escape clause.
Graham admitted he would have preferred to play under Elliott but did not see the coach's departure as reason enough to delay securing his future any further.
"It's bad Matty's leaving but I like it in Canberra," he said.
"I've spoken to a few people about it all so it'll be good when we actually sign everything off."
Canberra general manager Don Furner hoped Graham's decision would encourage fellow Raiders contemplating remaining at the club not to delay their decision.
The Raiders have a further 15 players coming off contract at the conclusion of the season.
Furner said despite Graham opting to delay his decision when Elliott announced his departure, he never thought the centre/winger would leave Canberra.
"And I think it's a good vote of confidence from Phil to do what he's done and that it will give other players that same confidence," Furner said.
"Guys want to know who their coach is but also who they would play alongside if they re-sign and Phil was one of the first players we wanted to seal the deal with."
Michael Weyman and David Howell are the next two players on the Raiders' hit-list.
Peter Fitzgerald
Tuesday, 28 February 2006
Phil Graham will today become the first Canberra Raiders player to re-sign with the club without knowing who the future coach will be. Graham will ink a three-year deal this afternoon, bringing to an end six weeks of negotiations between his manager Jim Banaghan and Canberra.
The utility player was set to re-sign a fortnight ago but held back on his decision when coach Matt Elliott announced he would leave the club at the end of the season.
After discussing the issue with Elliott, Raiders management and Banaghan, Graham verbally agreed to the deal and will make it official today.
Despite contrary reports, Graham had not been in negotiations with the NRL's newest franchise, the Gold Coast Titans, for the 2007 season.
The 24-year-old was born in Tamworth in northern NSW but the Raiders had not given him permission to negotiate with rival clubs prior to the NRL's June 30 anti-tampering deadline.
"I wanted to stay in Canberra all along so this is the ideal result for me," Graham said yesterday.
"I've just bought a unit here in Canberra and have enjoyed my time at the club so far so I was keen to stay.
"I'm glad it's all done before the season starts so I can just concentrate on footy now."
Graham does not have a clause in his new contract for an early release pending the announcement of the club's new coach.
He said yesterday he had faith in club management to make the right decision and didn't feel he needed an escape clause.
Graham admitted he would have preferred to play under Elliott but did not see the coach's departure as reason enough to delay securing his future any further.
"It's bad Matty's leaving but I like it in Canberra," he said.
"I've spoken to a few people about it all so it'll be good when we actually sign everything off."
Canberra general manager Don Furner hoped Graham's decision would encourage fellow Raiders contemplating remaining at the club not to delay their decision.
The Raiders have a further 15 players coming off contract at the conclusion of the season.
Furner said despite Graham opting to delay his decision when Elliott announced his departure, he never thought the centre/winger would leave Canberra.
"And I think it's a good vote of confidence from Phil to do what he's done and that it will give other players that same confidence," Furner said.
"Guys want to know who their coach is but also who they would play alongside if they re-sign and Phil was one of the first players we wanted to seal the deal with."
Michael Weyman and David Howell are the next two players on the Raiders' hit-list.
