Today's CT confirms that Kidwell will remain at the Storm, and "for a bit less money" according to his manager Sam Ayoub. Ayoub said that Canberra was certainly a viable option, was impressed with the professionalism of the club, but could not bring himself to move from Melbourne.
Meanwhile, the meeting late last week between Joel Monaghan, his manager Jim Banaghan, and Canberra CEO Simon Hawkins and general manager Don Furner is understood to have started in "a frosty manner". Banaghan was upset the club revealed the value of offers to Monaghan and Wiki last week. "We had an open and frank discussion about how events have unfolded to date" Banaghan said. "Everyone was candid. I expressed my disappointment to the club about confidential information being revealed in the newspapers. I have received an assurance that that won't happen again."
Furner defended the club's actions in correcting the record on reports of the offer to Wiki. "Unless we come out and refute the claims it becomes accepted fact. All we were doing was stating the correct position. We have a responsibility to our fans and our sponsors to let them know that we are in there trying as hard as we can to keep these two players" Furner said.
Banaghan also said that offers to Wiki have been "astronomical".
So far the Raiders have signed up Robertson and Gafa to two year contracts and extended the contract of Carney to end 2008. In coming days, the Raiders are aiming to tie up Rothery and Kahler and other key prospects in Premier League.
Coach Elliott spent time in Sydney last week talking to player managers with the aim of signing the best available elite young players who are looking for a shot at playing full time football. "At this stage the balls are in the air and we are hoping to catch as many as we can" Elliott said. "One of the reasons we are not looking for the elite established player is because they tend to want to have the package and the lifestyle. The young elite players want the opportunity and that is what we are looking to provide."
Meanwhile, the CT also reports the Raiders have made a two year offer to Souths half Joe Williams. He is also being sought by Manly.
