Marsh returns to Eels
September 1, 2004 - 2:09PM
Uncertainty over PJ Marsh's fitness has not stopped Parramatta welcoming back the former Queensland Origin hooker.
The class utility has not received a final medical clearance and has not played an NRL game in 14 months due to a serious neck injury.
However, Marsh, 24, was reportedly the subject of a four club tug-of-war after being released by the New Zealand Warriors last week.
Marsh on Wednesday decided to choose a Parramatta return, agreeing to a two year contract with the Eels which are assembling an arsenal of stars for 2005.
Besides Marsh, the Eels have also recruited the likes of Test winger Timana Tahu from Newcastle, Dragons hooker Mark Riddell and North Queensland backrower Glenn Morrison.
Marsh hasn't played since round 14 last year after dislocating vertebrae - coincidentally against his former club Parramatta - and has since gone under the knife twice to rectify the problem.
But Eels football manager Tony Zappia said Marsh was expected to receive a full medical clearance next week.
"All our offers are subject to medical clearances. He's got one more clearance to get through but so far everything has been positive and he's three quarters of the way through it," he said.
"Probably next week (he'll receive a clearance)."
Asked if the Eels were anxious over Marsh's fitness, Zappia said "I'm not a medical person but everything looks okay, he's got one more set of tests but everything seems to be positive."
Zappia said Marsh's return would be a homecoming of sorts for the ex-Eels rake.
"It's been a long road hasn't it?," he said.
Marsh turned heads at Parramatta in his first two years of first grade (2000-01) before relocating to the New Zealand Warriors in 2002 and earning Origin selection.
However, the serious neck injury kept Marsh out of action at the Warriors for the best of the past two seasons and at one stage threatened his career.
While Marsh shone at hooker when last at Parramatta, Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald said Marsh would be considered for "halfback, five-eighth or hooker", with his eye on the No.7 role currently held by youngster Michael Witt.
"This is great news for the club. PJ has established himself as one of the best halfbacks in the game, and adds to the tremendous depth in our playing roster for 2005," Fitzgerald said.
"PJ will play a vital role in the Parramatta resurgence.
"He left us at the end of the 2001 season as a player with great potential, and he has certainly fulfilled that. He will be a tremendous asset to our club in 2005."
© 2004 AAP
