parra_jesus
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source www.dailytelegraph.com.au
In demand ... Matt Orford is keen to return to Australia - and several clubs are keen to have him. Source: The Daily Telegraph
PARRAMATTA will rely on the old pairing of Daniel Mortimer and Jeff Robson after negotiations with veteran halfback Matt Orford were terminated last week.
The Eels were considered short-priced favourites to sign Orford, who is eager to return to the NRL despite being contracted to English Super League club Bradford.
However, talks between Parramatta management and Orford were formally closed last Friday.
It would appear Canberra are now in the box seat to snare Orford. The Raiders are desperate to sign the former premiership-winning No. 7 as a replacement for injured skipper Terry Campese.
But in a further twist, The Sunday Telegraph has learned that Orford is considering sitting out the 2011 season and possibly playing with the Central Coast Bears in an expanded competition in 2012.
While the Eels were unwilling to wait any longer for a decision from Orford, as he strives to gain a release from Bradford, it is believed that instability at the Parramatta club over the past 18 months contributed to the 32-year-old's reluctance to sign on the dotted line.
Either way, Orford joins a long miss-list of Eels targets - including retired veterans Trent Barrett and Brett Kimmorley, rugby union stars Quade Cooper and Craig Gower, and representative stars Cooper Cronk and Braith Anasta - to have knocked back the besieged club over the past six months.
New Eels coach Stephen Kearney spoke with Mortimer and Robson recently, telling them that the job of steering the club back to the finals was there next season if they wanted it.
Mortimer's father and former Canterbury legend Peter said it was up to Daniel to make the most of the opportunity offered by Kearney.
"Time will tell," Peter said of his son's ability to shine next season.
"I haven't spoken to Stephen Kearney, but everyone I've spoken to speaks very highly of him.
"So if he's made the decision to go with Daniel and Jeff, then they're going to have to perform up to his expectations.
"The ball is in both the boys' court now.
"I can see Daniel's attitude just in the last four weeks has been a little bit more driven."
link http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/eels-face-the-orford-truth/story-fn6e0tx4-1225961956799
In demand ... Matt Orford is keen to return to Australia - and several clubs are keen to have him. Source: The Daily Telegraph
PARRAMATTA will rely on the old pairing of Daniel Mortimer and Jeff Robson after negotiations with veteran halfback Matt Orford were terminated last week.
The Eels were considered short-priced favourites to sign Orford, who is eager to return to the NRL despite being contracted to English Super League club Bradford.
However, talks between Parramatta management and Orford were formally closed last Friday.
It would appear Canberra are now in the box seat to snare Orford. The Raiders are desperate to sign the former premiership-winning No. 7 as a replacement for injured skipper Terry Campese.
But in a further twist, The Sunday Telegraph has learned that Orford is considering sitting out the 2011 season and possibly playing with the Central Coast Bears in an expanded competition in 2012.
While the Eels were unwilling to wait any longer for a decision from Orford, as he strives to gain a release from Bradford, it is believed that instability at the Parramatta club over the past 18 months contributed to the 32-year-old's reluctance to sign on the dotted line.
Either way, Orford joins a long miss-list of Eels targets - including retired veterans Trent Barrett and Brett Kimmorley, rugby union stars Quade Cooper and Craig Gower, and representative stars Cooper Cronk and Braith Anasta - to have knocked back the besieged club over the past six months.
New Eels coach Stephen Kearney spoke with Mortimer and Robson recently, telling them that the job of steering the club back to the finals was there next season if they wanted it.
Mortimer's father and former Canterbury legend Peter said it was up to Daniel to make the most of the opportunity offered by Kearney.
"Time will tell," Peter said of his son's ability to shine next season.
"I haven't spoken to Stephen Kearney, but everyone I've spoken to speaks very highly of him.
"So if he's made the decision to go with Daniel and Jeff, then they're going to have to perform up to his expectations.
"The ball is in both the boys' court now.
"I can see Daniel's attitude just in the last four weeks has been a little bit more driven."
link http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/eels-face-the-orford-truth/story-fn6e0tx4-1225961956799
