Robson's Thoughts on Sandow Pursuit

[boxhead]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...al-despite-sandow-pursuit-20110424-1dt1c.html

'I know it's a business': Robson philosophical despite Sandow pursuit

Glenn Jackson

April 25, 2011

''I KNOW it's a business,'' Parramatta halfback Jeff Robson muttered yesterday, backing up his point by looking very much the businessman in a gleaming black suit with white tie.
''The club's entitled to chase whoever they want. I've just got to try and play the best I can.
''Hopefully they'll look at re-signing me instead of him.''
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Robson was talking of Chris Sandow, the South Sydney halfback who is the subject of a big-money offer to join the Eels and wear the No.7 jumper Robson plays in.
''The first I heard about it was a couple of days ago … if that's who they want to sign, good for them.''
Ever since he was the halfback who helped guide the Eels to the 2009 grand final, Robson has seemed perennially under pressure.
But in the past few days the hyphen that every footballer craves - the difference between re-signing and resigning - has looked more out of reach than usual.
Sandow will find it hard to knock back the money the Eels are offering and Robson will find it hard to secure another contract - his current one expires at the end of this season - as a result.
''To be honest, I try not to buy into that stuff,'' Robson said. ''I just try and play the best I can and try and do my part in the team. Hopefully we can turn it around next week and play a lot better.''
Yesterday was a strange day for the two halves. Robson and five-eighth Daniel Mortimer have both been under pressure in the early rounds of this year.
The Eels won yesterday, giving this tale of two halves a happy ending. But their performances until Mortimer kicked high to set up the winning try will do little to ease the strain on them.
It is amazing to think that these are the two players who connived their way to a title decider not so long ago. But Mortimer, for one, is still young, and learning. He said yesterday he had learnt more through his more difficult times than he did in 2009, when everything came relatively easily.
''The first year was a dream run and I was very fortunate to be a part of that,'' Mortimer said. ''I've definitely learnt since then that footy's much more of a grind. It's not all roses like that first year. In saying that, I've probably learnt more since '09, doing it tough last year.
''I'll just keep striving to better my performances.''
Both players made errors yesterday. They both came up with poor options. But they won the game and also came up with some key plays. For now, they have the support of their coach, who is vowing to persevere.
''They know that they've got improvement in them, and they know that they will have to improve to be competitive in this competition,'' Stephen Kearney said. ''I'm going to give them every opportunity.''
As Robson's battle to secure a new contract would suggest, some opportunities only go so far.


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Good on Jeff for saying the right things. I know none of us rate him, but gee, he has never let us down and he always has been a gentleman and professional at the club. The articles about Sandow to the Eels keep getting stronger, so I severely doubt Gus' tip on Sandow to the Broncos has much weight to it.​

 

[ParraSteve]

if he was a couple inches taller he'd be the perfect 2nd rower with his defence, if we do offer him a contract i suspect it will be a wenty one at that

 

[boxhead]

I would still keep Robson to be perfectly honest. If we recruit a host of much better players to fill out the squad, then sure I won't complain, but I really like the guy and I feel so sorry for him that he gets so much criticism.

 

[Parra Pride]

Thank god they got Morts' opinion, it just wouldn't seem right to have a Jeff Robson article without quotes from Morts.

 

[Eels Dude]

He and Morts both HAVE let us down on many an occasion. But it's not their fault that they're reserve grade players who keep getting selcted in first grade. Robson especially.

 

[natheel]

If we offer him another contract it's because McGuire will retire and he will b the bench hooker. Good defence and can b a decent dummy half if needed. He has always tried hard and deserves a contract somewhere if it's not with us I'd prefer him go to England. I wouldn't want to see him in another clubs jersey...strange to say coz he's nowhere near legendstatus but a solid servant!

 

[boxhead]

What I meant to say Eels Dude, is that as far as putting in and effort goes, he has never let us down. Of course though, to play in the halves that just sadly isn't enough. If he and Mortimer had a decent amount of talent, I think none of us could be happier.

 

[Eels Dude]

I agree Boxy. They both give 100% committment. But that's far from good enough at first grade level. Heart will only take you so far. They're both dedicated footballers but at this stage neither are up to the standard required of a first grader and while i'll praise them on their effort sometimes just trying hard isn't good enough.

 

[Angry_eel]

If Mortimer has learnt alot from the hard times then he should use that on the field.

 

[hineyrulz]

Robbo has done well to play as much first grade football as he has, not bagging him he has plenty of ticker and never gives in he just doesn't have the talent or the vision to play 7 in the NRL. Morts is lucky his last name is Mortimer.

 

[Bazal]

Offer Robbo a Wenty deal....he's a good bloke and probably won't get anything more elsewhere. He'd be a good player for Wenty

 

[Angry_eel]

I thought I'd laugh at our situation. At one time we thought Finch was horrible. Alteast he used to try :lol:

 

[Chipmunk]

Offer Robbo a Wenty deal....he's a good bloke and probably won't get anything more elsewhere. He'd be a good player for Wenty

Probably have to agree with this one, possibly even a two year deal as the Captain of Wenty wouldnt go astray. He'd have a fair bit to offer in that comp

 

[Chipmunk]

I thought I'd laugh at our situation. At one time we thought Finch was horrible. Alteast he used to try :lol:

To be truthful........

I dont think Brett Finch as a 6 is the worst buy we could make.....

 

[bartman]

We're a mile under the salary cap, surely we can afford to keep Robson for another year even if we announce the signing of Sandow.

Robson's much better value than Mortimer, and Sandow will need someone solid and reliable outside him wearing the 6 (which Robson can do for 2012, until we sign someone in place of Mortimer).

 

[Parra Pride]

We're a mile under the salary cap, surely we can afford to keep Robson for another year even if we announce the signing of Sandow.

Robson's much better value than Mortimer, and Sandow will need someone solid and reliable outside him wearing the 6 (which Robson can do for 2012, until we sign someone in place of Mortimer).

If Morts isn't playing first grade who will talk to the media?

 

[caylo]

I thought I'd laugh at our situation. At one time we thought Finch was horrible. Alteast he used to try :lol:

Finch was actually a very good 5-8, his short passing game was among the best in the game tbh. His main problem is that at halfback he is useless, cant direct a team and his long kicking game is just as bad as Robson. It was no surprise that he did very well beside Smith and struggled once Smith lost the plot and he moved to the #7.

The main problem was that Finch signed a 350K deal and he was not worth that, had he been on 200K Anderson may well have kept him but he was stopping us from signing a halfback (not that we did mind you).

 

[Glen]

If Morts isn't playing first grade who will talk to the media?

I think you just answered your own question - our new MEDIA MANAGER Daniel Mortimer! Overpaid for that role but at least his salary will transfer out of the salary cap

 

[bartman]

If Mortimer has learnt alot from the hard times then he should use that on the field.

True.

Though I thought Morts just meant that he learnt more during the hard times about writing his articles and doing his media appearances than anything about his footy?

 

[Gronk]

I think Robbo deserves an ESL contract. Hope he gets 2 or 3 years deal so he can take his young family over and earn some dosh before he hangs up the boots.