Penrith plan to axe six players to ake way for Terry Campese
By Dean Ritchie
April 17, 2009
Penrith are poised to axe six first-grade players to make a full-blown tilt at Canberra star Terry Campese.
The Daily Telegraph reports the Panthers are preparing to offer $350,000 a year for Campese, who comes off contract at Canberra at the end of next season.
The news comes as Penrith prepare to play Brisbane in front of an expected 18,000 fans at CUA Stadium, where they will come up against a player they let leave in NSW Origin half Peter Wallace.
It is understood the players under pressure at Penrith are Keith Peters, Matthew Bell, Maurice Blair, Junior Moors, Joel Romelo and Andrew Emelio. They have played a combined 142 NRL games.
It is understood cutting the six players would save Penrith between $500,000 and $600,000, with a large portion of that money to be directed at Campese.
Panthers chief executive Mick Leary was reluctant to discuss player movement but did confirm an interest in Campese.
"We'll certainly be looking at Terry," Leary said. "He is a very good player. He has great vision, he runs and he's a tryscorer. He's the complete footballer."
Penrith officials are also keen to watch the development of young Wade Graham, chosen at five-eighth to mark Broncos champion Darren Lockyer on Friday night.
A source close to Campese described Canberra's initial offer as "insulting" for a playmaker who last year won World Cup selection and is the NRL's in-form player.
However, Raiders chairman John McIntyre said Canberra were hell-bent on retaining Campese.
"We're confident we will keep him," McIntyre said. "Terry is a Queanbeyan boy. He is a rare talent you develop and you don't want to lose. He's our No.1 priority."
Campese and his manager Jim Banaghan were unavailable for comment.
Penrith's plans developed further with news that prop Petero Civoniceva, who turns 33 next week, will remain at the club in 2010. The Panthers took up the third-year option on his contract.
Civoniceva will line up against his former side Brisbane and will have a huge bearing on the result.
"He is someone who has had a massive influence on the club, both on and off the field," Penrith coach Matt Elliott said.
"He has certainly showed that he can contribute to the club in a lot of ways. I have run out of accolades for him."
Leary said Friday night's match will be a defining moment in his club's season.
"I think this match will determine how we go in 2009," he said. "It will give us a good benchmark as to where we stand."
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