Manlys battle to keep Jared signed
05 May 09 @ 04:47pm by JOHN GRECO
Manly's Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is keen to stay at the club beyond 2009. Picture: BRADEN FASTIER
ONE of the Sea Eagless most promising young talents is being heavily pursued by the Roosters.
Manly Toyota Cup (under-20) star Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is off-contract at seasons end with a number of clubs believed to be circling the boom backrower.
The 20-year-old, who has been a standout in the clubs rise to the top of the Toyota Cup table, is firmly on the Roosters radar.
Should Manly re-sign Jared Waerea-Hargreaves? Have your say below
Its understood the Bondi Junction club is eager to add some youth to their ageing forward pack and have earmarked the Rotorua-born forward as a potential recruit.
Hes off contract and a quality young player so were definitely looking at him, Roosters recruitment manager Peter OSullivan told The Manly Daily on Tuesday.
We wouldnt be alone though, Im sure plenty of clubs will be, hes got a lot of talent.
Hes probably the pick of the litter in their 20s at the moment. Hes a big boy with good aggression and is pretty tough ... hes plays the game the right way.
Given (Manlys) predicament with the salary cap at the moment they might struggle to keep someone like him.
The Sea Eagles are keen to re-sign the damaging ball-runner but also have another five key players off-contract.
Skipper Matt Orford, wingers Michael Robertson and David Williams and forwards Glenn Hall and Heath LEstrange are also up for new deals for 2010.
Waerea-Hargreaves yesterday said he wanted to stay at Brookvale beyond 2009.
I want to repay the faith (Manly) showed in me, they gave me an opportunity when I came over from rugby, he said.
Im just focusing on playing good footy at the moment but Im definitely keen to stay.
Waerea-Hargreaves has been named on an extended five-man bench to make his first grade debut against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/manly-s-battle-to-keep-jared-signed/
I would hope that the Roosters are not the only team chasing this kid. He'll make Dave Taylor look like Steve Crouch. ;-)