Jason Avedissian
28 May 2008
Tony Williams
MANLY boss Grant Mayer has accused the Eels of ``sour grapes'' after Parramatta coach Michael Hagan questioned the Sea Eagles ability to afford outstanding young prospect Tony Williams.
The Sea Eagles beat off six rival clubs to secure the 19-year-old to a three-year deal yesterday.
The backrower-centre is considered one of the brightest young talents in the game, currently playing for the Eels in the under-20s Toyota Cup.
Williams' switch to the Sea Eagles stunned Parramatta officials, with the club taking the unusual step of issuing a press release to express their extreme disappointment.
But Hagan went further, questioning Manly's financial position to sign the Junior Kangaroo until the end of 2011.
``Do Manly have a different cap to everybody else?'' he asked The Manly Daily last night.
``Didn't they just sign Chris Bailey?
``They must have a very, very good accountant.
``It's always disappointing to lose a quality player who has come through the system, but at the end of the day the offer to go to Manly was nearly double what we offered.
``It was a no-brainer for the player and his manager.''
Mayer bristled when told of Hagan's comments.
``It's a simple case of sour grapes,'' Mayer said.
``Parramatta have for a long time had a depth of players that most NRL clubs have looked on with wonderment.
``To get one away from them is a tremendous coup for us.
``We paid the player what we believe he's worth. If Michael Hagan is intimating we are doing something outside the cap, there's avenues he can go through to make those allegations.''
Chief Sea Eagles recruitment man Noel Cleal said Williams has the potential to establish himself in the game.
``This kid is all power,'' Cleal said. ``He's explosive and can play centre, but is probably going to make his mark as a backrower.''
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2008/05/28/10318_sports.html
28 May 2008
Tony Williams
MANLY boss Grant Mayer has accused the Eels of ``sour grapes'' after Parramatta coach Michael Hagan questioned the Sea Eagles ability to afford outstanding young prospect Tony Williams.
The Sea Eagles beat off six rival clubs to secure the 19-year-old to a three-year deal yesterday.
The backrower-centre is considered one of the brightest young talents in the game, currently playing for the Eels in the under-20s Toyota Cup.
Williams' switch to the Sea Eagles stunned Parramatta officials, with the club taking the unusual step of issuing a press release to express their extreme disappointment.
But Hagan went further, questioning Manly's financial position to sign the Junior Kangaroo until the end of 2011.
``Do Manly have a different cap to everybody else?'' he asked The Manly Daily last night.
``Didn't they just sign Chris Bailey?
``They must have a very, very good accountant.
``It's always disappointing to lose a quality player who has come through the system, but at the end of the day the offer to go to Manly was nearly double what we offered.
``It was a no-brainer for the player and his manager.''
Mayer bristled when told of Hagan's comments.
``It's a simple case of sour grapes,'' Mayer said.
``Parramatta have for a long time had a depth of players that most NRL clubs have looked on with wonderment.
``To get one away from them is a tremendous coup for us.
``We paid the player what we believe he's worth. If Michael Hagan is intimating we are doing something outside the cap, there's avenues he can go through to make those allegations.''
Chief Sea Eagles recruitment man Noel Cleal said Williams has the potential to establish himself in the game.
``This kid is all power,'' Cleal said. ``He's explosive and can play centre, but is probably going to make his mark as a backrower.''
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2008/05/28/10318_sports.html
