Priddis wants long-term contract
By Peter Badel
March 5, 2006
PENRITH's hopes of retaining Luke Priddis have soared with the former Test hooker revealing his desire to finish his career with the club.
Off-contract at season's end, Priddis has an option in his favour for 2007 and has until the end of April to tell Penrith whether he intends being on board next year.
He is keen to remain at the Panthers, particularly if they offer a long-term deal. The 2003 Clive Churchill medal winner would be satisfied with a two-year extension, which would tie him to Penrith until the end of 2009.
"I do have an option in my favour for next year but I would like my contract to be a bit longer," Priddis said.
"I've indicated to the club that I want to finish my career here so it would be great to do that.
"Ideally, I'd like another two years on top of next year. By then I would be 32 and that would probably be enough to pull up stumps on my career."
But Priddis has not ruled out a switch of clubs.
It is understood the Gold Coast are keen to lure the former Broncos rake, although they cannot approach him until the anti-tampering ban ends on July 1.
"The whole thing with John Lang (Penrith coach, who was told a fortnight ago he would not be at the club next year) shows rugby league is a business these days," said Priddis, a veteran of 222 first-grade games.
"There are still some one-club men but at the end of the day you have to look after yourself and your family.
"There are a few goals I still want to achieve. I have an ambition to get back into rep football and I'd also like to get to 300 career games.
"If I can't look to achieve those goals at Penrith, then I may have to do that somewhere else."
Penrith operations manager Mick Leary said the club wants to retain Priddis and will assess him on a year-by-year basis should he take up the option in 2007.
"I really hope Luke takes the option up because he is the most professional footballer I've come across. His value to the club is enormous," Leary said.
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