From today's Illawarra Mercury:
It's between Raiders, you guys and Broncos.
Frustrated Withers in limbo
By PAUL SUTTOR
October 19, 2004
WITH the start of pre-season training just a few weeks away, frustration is building for Dragons hooker Lincoln Withers as he attempts to finalise his playing future.
Even though he has been told his services won't be required at St George Illawarra next year, Withers said he still hadn't been granted a release.
The Raiders have offered him a four-year deal with a view to eventually taking over from captain Simon Woolford who is expected to leave at the end of next season to play out his career in England.
But the delay in gaining a clearance has meant the 23-year-old rake has been unable to accept Canberra's contract or give a final answer to the Wests Tigers or Brisbane.
"Once I get the release then I can decide which way I want to go, especially seeing as though it's only a couple of weeks left until training at wherever I go so I'd like to get it settled quickly. Hopefully it'll be sorted out in the next couple of days," he said.
With two children aged under four, Withers said the lure of returning to his home town Canberra on a lengthy deal was very enticing.
"I don't know what the plans are for me in the first year - half, hooker, five-eighth. We've chatted about long term and I think I'm probably a hooker," he said.
"I just want to go somewhere where I can plan my future. I don't want to be going from club to club, position to position."
This story was found at: http://illawarramercury.com.au/articles/2004/10/19/1097951658627.html
It's between Raiders, you guys and Broncos.
Frustrated Withers in limbo
By PAUL SUTTOR
October 19, 2004
WITH the start of pre-season training just a few weeks away, frustration is building for Dragons hooker Lincoln Withers as he attempts to finalise his playing future.
Even though he has been told his services won't be required at St George Illawarra next year, Withers said he still hadn't been granted a release.
The Raiders have offered him a four-year deal with a view to eventually taking over from captain Simon Woolford who is expected to leave at the end of next season to play out his career in England.
But the delay in gaining a clearance has meant the 23-year-old rake has been unable to accept Canberra's contract or give a final answer to the Wests Tigers or Brisbane.
"Once I get the release then I can decide which way I want to go, especially seeing as though it's only a couple of weeks left until training at wherever I go so I'd like to get it settled quickly. Hopefully it'll be sorted out in the next couple of days," he said.
With two children aged under four, Withers said the lure of returning to his home town Canberra on a lengthy deal was very enticing.
"I don't know what the plans are for me in the first year - half, hooker, five-eighth. We've chatted about long term and I think I'm probably a hooker," he said.
"I just want to go somewhere where I can plan my future. I don't want to be going from club to club, position to position."
This story was found at: http://illawarramercury.com.au/articles/2004/10/19/1097951658627.html
