Diesel
Referee
- Messages
- 20,126
Lets chalk this one up as a win for the Warriors over Penrith
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/spor...for-feleti-mateo/story-e6frexnr-1226599102638
PHIL Gould has closed the door on trying to lure New Zealand Warriors star Feleti Mateo back to Australia.
Off contract at the end of this season, Mateo has long been linked to a move back to Sydney, with the Panthers one of several clubs believed to be eyeing his signature.
However, despite Penrith coach Ivan Cleary's penchant for signing players from his former club, Gould claimed Mateo wouldn't be joining the list of ex-Warriors which includes Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor and Isaac John.
"I wouldn't think so, not at this stage," said Gould, when asked if the Panthers will sign more Warriors.
"We are pretty much done with our recruitment - we will focus on retention now.
"We have put a lot of time into our junior representative teams and our NYC teams are improving and we need to lock up those players. We have 9000 junior players here - it's a massive pool.
"There hasn't been a concerted effort (to sign New Zealanders).
"They just happened to be players that were available and fitted in with what we were doing. However, we were also mindful that nearly 50 per cent of our junior league registrations in Western Sydney now were of Polynesian heritage and it is important for the club to reflect that."
Meanwhile, the Panthers will head to Campbelltown today full of confidence after their first-up victory over the Canberra Raiders. Cleary's men were outstanding in attack with the coach confident his side will improve on the performance.
Centre Wes Naiqama is in doubt with an ankle injury with Penrith medical staff prepared to give him up until kick-off to prove his fitness. Adam Docker is on stand-by. The Tigers completed their preparation with a final hit-out at Campbelltown yesterday.
Jacob Miller will partner Benji Marshall in the halves.
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/spor...for-feleti-mateo/story-e6frexnr-1226599102638
PHIL Gould has closed the door on trying to lure New Zealand Warriors star Feleti Mateo back to Australia.
Off contract at the end of this season, Mateo has long been linked to a move back to Sydney, with the Panthers one of several clubs believed to be eyeing his signature.
However, despite Penrith coach Ivan Cleary's penchant for signing players from his former club, Gould claimed Mateo wouldn't be joining the list of ex-Warriors which includes Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor and Isaac John.
"I wouldn't think so, not at this stage," said Gould, when asked if the Panthers will sign more Warriors.
"We are pretty much done with our recruitment - we will focus on retention now.
"We have put a lot of time into our junior representative teams and our NYC teams are improving and we need to lock up those players. We have 9000 junior players here - it's a massive pool.
"There hasn't been a concerted effort (to sign New Zealanders).
"They just happened to be players that were available and fitted in with what we were doing. However, we were also mindful that nearly 50 per cent of our junior league registrations in Western Sydney now were of Polynesian heritage and it is important for the club to reflect that."
Meanwhile, the Panthers will head to Campbelltown today full of confidence after their first-up victory over the Canberra Raiders. Cleary's men were outstanding in attack with the coach confident his side will improve on the performance.
Centre Wes Naiqama is in doubt with an ankle injury with Penrith medical staff prepared to give him up until kick-off to prove his fitness. Adam Docker is on stand-by. The Tigers completed their preparation with a final hit-out at Campbelltown yesterday.
Jacob Miller will partner Benji Marshall in the halves.
