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http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/spo...016551,00.html
WENDELL Sailor has been invited to make his long-awaited footballing comeback with the "Betty Ford Clinic of rugby league" - the Newtown Jets.
Sailor's two-year ban for testing positive to cocaine ends on Monday week, May 12, and a road-map for his return has been on the drawing board for some time.
The dual international will sign a two-year deal with St George Illawarra, but is not ready to play NRL straight away after such an extensive lay-off.
Sailor and Dragons coaches agree the best way for the 33-year-old to regain match fitness is via a three-game stint in the lower grades.
However, St George Illawarra do not boast a NSW Cup feeder side - leaving the door open for quick-thinking Newtown officials to provide him an opportunity and themselves a marketing "extravaganza".
Newtown president Terry Rowney last night confirmed the Jets are waiting in the wings for St George Illawarra to accept their approach.
Although Newtown operate as a feeder club for the Roosters, Rowney stressed any deal would respect the fact Sailor was ultimately bound to the Dragons.
"We've made it clear that he is very welcome to play for us," Rowney said.
"He's been out of the game for some time and we think we can provide Wendell with the right training and playing environment to find his feet again.
Newtown backs Tevita Folau and Albert Hopoate both returned to league this year after two-year stints as Mormon missionaries, and Rowney said the experience had given his coaching staff the right tools to ensure Sailor's comeback is handled correctly.
"It takes a lot of time for them to get up to speed after so long out," Rowney said.
"Wendell might be fit, but he is a lot older than those two boys.
"We see ourselves as the Betty Ford Clinic of rugby league.
"There's now 35 blokes in the NRL who have played for us at one time or another."
Rowney agreed Newton would "get plenty in return" if Sailor became a Bluebag.
"We would love to put on an extravaganza at Henson Park - obviously there will be massive interest," he said.
The Daily Telegraph understands Newtown officials have even requested their draw be altered to accommodate more home games during Sailor's anticipated stint later this month and next.
His other comeback avenue is via the Jim Beam Cup with Shellharbour Marlins, who share links with the Dragons.
With his ban ending in just 10 days, sailor has upped his training regimen dramatically. He is running sandhills at Wanda three times a week and doing regular boxing work with Lance Thompson's former trainer Mark Gambin.
When asked about his comeback this week, a tight-lipped Sailor replied: "To be honest I don't have much to say. I'm just looking forward to playing."
WENDELL Sailor has been invited to make his long-awaited footballing comeback with the "Betty Ford Clinic of rugby league" - the Newtown Jets.
Sailor's two-year ban for testing positive to cocaine ends on Monday week, May 12, and a road-map for his return has been on the drawing board for some time.
The dual international will sign a two-year deal with St George Illawarra, but is not ready to play NRL straight away after such an extensive lay-off.
Sailor and Dragons coaches agree the best way for the 33-year-old to regain match fitness is via a three-game stint in the lower grades.
However, St George Illawarra do not boast a NSW Cup feeder side - leaving the door open for quick-thinking Newtown officials to provide him an opportunity and themselves a marketing "extravaganza".
Newtown president Terry Rowney last night confirmed the Jets are waiting in the wings for St George Illawarra to accept their approach.
Although Newtown operate as a feeder club for the Roosters, Rowney stressed any deal would respect the fact Sailor was ultimately bound to the Dragons.
"We've made it clear that he is very welcome to play for us," Rowney said.
"He's been out of the game for some time and we think we can provide Wendell with the right training and playing environment to find his feet again.
Newtown backs Tevita Folau and Albert Hopoate both returned to league this year after two-year stints as Mormon missionaries, and Rowney said the experience had given his coaching staff the right tools to ensure Sailor's comeback is handled correctly.
"It takes a lot of time for them to get up to speed after so long out," Rowney said.
"Wendell might be fit, but he is a lot older than those two boys.
"We see ourselves as the Betty Ford Clinic of rugby league.
"There's now 35 blokes in the NRL who have played for us at one time or another."
Rowney agreed Newton would "get plenty in return" if Sailor became a Bluebag.
"We would love to put on an extravaganza at Henson Park - obviously there will be massive interest," he said.
The Daily Telegraph understands Newtown officials have even requested their draw be altered to accommodate more home games during Sailor's anticipated stint later this month and next.
His other comeback avenue is via the Jim Beam Cup with Shellharbour Marlins, who share links with the Dragons.
With his ban ending in just 10 days, sailor has upped his training regimen dramatically. He is running sandhills at Wanda three times a week and doing regular boxing work with Lance Thompson's former trainer Mark Gambin.
When asked about his comeback this week, a tight-lipped Sailor replied: "To be honest I don't have much to say. I'm just looking forward to playing."
