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Bulldogs deny raid on Eels' ranks
Ben Blaschke NRL.com Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:35:00
Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg says rumours that his club is embarking on a dramatic raid of Parramatta’s playing ranks are “simply not true”.
The Bulldogs ensured their premiership campaign stayed on track with a come-from-behind win over South Sydney at ANZ Stadium yesterday to move to outright second spot on the ladder, but much of the off-field talk continues to centre around suggestions that the club have quietly been making moves for Eels trio Feleti Mateo, Krisnan Inu and Kris Keating.
Greenberg today admitted to having made enquiries about the availability of Inu last month but said his club was no longer in any position to recruit such big-name players and wouldn’t be making any moves for the Parramatta trio.
“All of these guys are on contract at Parramatta,” Greenberg told NRL.com today.
“Somehow they have all been linked with us and there is talk that they will be released from the final year of their contract but the fact is that our salary cap is everything bar full for next year.
“The rumours are simply not true.
“There are no deals going on and no discussions have taken place – it’s as simple as that.”
The Eels have been among the most active in the player market ahead of 2010 with State of Origin prop Justin Poore and Sydney Roosters forward Shane Shackleton headed west next season.
Timana Tahu is also likely to return from a two-year stint in rugby union – prompting questions over the future of Inu who has struggled to find his best form over the past 18 months.
But Greenberg said earlier enquiries about the possibility of obtaining the Kiwi international had been met with a resounding no.
“There was a brief discussion, with all of the signings they had going on over there, whether they were interested in releasing Krisnan from the final year of his deal,” Greenberg admitted.
“If that had been the case, like probably a dozen other clubs we would have been interested.
“But it doesn’t look like they are going to let him go and we’ve moved on anyway.”
Despite their enquiries, the Bulldogs are expected to be quiet on the player market for next season as they look to shore up their current squad.
Having claimed the wooden spoon in a disastrous 2008 season, the club spent big last year in luring Brett Kimmorley, Michael Ennis, Ben Hannant, Josh Morris, Michael Hodgson, Yileen Gordon and Bryson Goodwin to Homebush – their arrival sparking a dramatic turnaround that has the Bulldogs set for another premiership challenge through the finals next month.
Melbourne winger Steve Turner will join the club in 2010 but Greenberg said their main priority this season has been securing their current roster.
“We’ve upgraded a number of contracts,” he said.
“Obviously Steve Turner has been brought in to replace Hazem and we think he will add some real credibility to the backline.
“He will play on the same side as Jamal [Idris] and will really help him out.
“He comes with a great deal of experience which is why he was such a priority but other than that we’ve just upgraded Bryson Goodwin, Gary Warburton and Chris Armit.
“We’ve been looking to add some small pieces to the squad but other than that we’re right.”
The Bulldogs expect to make a final decision on the futures of five-eighth Daniel Holdsworth and centre Daryl Millard in the coming weeks, with both having been used sparingly this season.
