Peachey re-signs for one year
July 20, 2004
THE news Sharks fans have been sweating on was announced today with star fullback David Peachey re-signing for another NRL season.
And Sharks CEO Steve Rogers has not ruled out extending Peachey's tenure.
"We believe David still has a lot to offer the club and are very happy that he has decided to remain at the Sharks for at least another year," Rogers said.
"And although we have agreed to a one year deal, Peach and I will be sitting down again at this time next year to discuss whether or not he may have another year in him after that.
"I guess that will be up to him and will depend on how he performs between now and then.
"We have no doubt he has plenty of good football left in him."
During the negotiations there was speculation Cronulla's favourite son was unhappy with the one-year deal offered by the Sharks and had been linked to other NRL clubs including the New Zealand Warriors.
In a statement today, the Sharks admitted there had been "a great deal of conjecture surrounding his contract negotiations".
But in a dramatic turnaround, Peachey, 30, agreed to stay for a 12th year with the NRL club with a possible extension beyond 2005.
"I'm very pleased that we've been able to come to an agreement and that I'll be staying at the Sharks next season," Peachey said.
"This is where it all started for me and I've never really wanted to play anywhere else. "This secures my future for next year and lets me get on with playing some good football for the Sharks."
The playmaker arrived at the Sharks from hometown Dubbo in 1993 at the age of 21 and quickly enjoyed cult status while securing NSW Origin (2000) and NSW Country (2003) honours as well as one Super League Test in 1997.
Peachey also enjoyed a high profile off the field, working with Aboriginal and under privileged youth and conducting clinics throughout NSW country regions.
Peachey was today named on the bench for the Sharks' NRL clash with St George Illawarra at Oki Jubilee Stadium on Sunday but is still in doubt with an on-going quadriceps injury.
He will undergo scans tomorrow.
"At this stage he has been named on a five-man bench but if fit is almost certain to take his place in the side at fullback," a team spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Rogers said the club was still talking with Parramatta and former Sharks pivot Adam Dykes who was waiting on a release from the Eels.
ROGERS WAS HOPEFUL Of MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON DYKES - who played for Cronulla from 1995-2001 before linking with the Eels - as early as this week.
And the Sharks are also negotiating with suspended half Greg Bird who comes off contract at the end of the season.
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