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Roosters bid for O'Meley
By David Riccio
February 25, 2007
MARK O'Meley has been offered $450,000 a season to join the Roosters and $280,000 to stay with the Bulldogs.
This equation - and the $170,000 shortfall - is currently turning over in his head as the Test prop weighs up his future.
O'Meley and his manager Wayne Beavis met Roosters supremo Nick Politis last Saturday morning.
Although no formal offer was extended, it is believed Politis said he is prepared to hand O'Meley $1.35million over three years.
The Bulldogs hardman is understood to have left the meeting impressed by not only Politis but his plans for the Roosters.
Beavis admitted the meeting took place.
"I had a lovely breakfast meeting. Mark wasn't the only topic of discussion," Beavis said.
"The Roosters is one of many options for Mark. But it's not only about money either. It's about the style of football, playing strength, the long-term situation of the club and so many more other facets aside from just signing off on cheques."
It's understood Politis has the backing of new Roosters coach Chris Anderson to lure O'Meley to Bondi.
Anderson's pre-season signing of veteran forwards Danny Nutley (whose contract expires at the end of the 2008 season) and Chris Beattie (2007) were always stop-gap solutions for a pack devoid of hardened experience.
After rejecting the Bulldogs' first contract proposal of $280,000 several weeks ago, O'Meley spoke of his latest dilemma.
"It's hard. I'm turning 26 in May and I think I've still got some fairly good footy in me and I've got to look at where I think I can play my best footy," O'Meley said.
"I've also got to consider if Canterbury can help me out and keep me. I haven't sat down with my wife and really looked ahead at where I'm going to be.
"I'd like to think I'm a loyal person. That's why I've only been focused on getting fit and preparing myself for the season ahead with the Bulldogs. As far as I'm concerned I'm in the blue and white of Canterbury and that's what matters right now.
"There's a lot of stuff to weigh up so I just want to let my footy do all the talking."
The Sharks and St George-Illawarra also remain in the hunt for O'Meley.
O'Meley missed last night's trial against the Dragons with a quadriceps tear.
He will also miss next week's trial against the Warriors in an effort to be fit for the opening round clash with Newcastle.
<A class=image href="http://www.sundaytelegraph.news.com.au/?from=ni_story"">
By David Riccio
February 25, 2007
MARK O'Meley has been offered $450,000 a season to join the Roosters and $280,000 to stay with the Bulldogs.
This equation - and the $170,000 shortfall - is currently turning over in his head as the Test prop weighs up his future.
O'Meley and his manager Wayne Beavis met Roosters supremo Nick Politis last Saturday morning.
Although no formal offer was extended, it is believed Politis said he is prepared to hand O'Meley $1.35million over three years.
The Bulldogs hardman is understood to have left the meeting impressed by not only Politis but his plans for the Roosters.
Beavis admitted the meeting took place.
"I had a lovely breakfast meeting. Mark wasn't the only topic of discussion," Beavis said.
"The Roosters is one of many options for Mark. But it's not only about money either. It's about the style of football, playing strength, the long-term situation of the club and so many more other facets aside from just signing off on cheques."
It's understood Politis has the backing of new Roosters coach Chris Anderson to lure O'Meley to Bondi.
Anderson's pre-season signing of veteran forwards Danny Nutley (whose contract expires at the end of the 2008 season) and Chris Beattie (2007) were always stop-gap solutions for a pack devoid of hardened experience.
After rejecting the Bulldogs' first contract proposal of $280,000 several weeks ago, O'Meley spoke of his latest dilemma.
"It's hard. I'm turning 26 in May and I think I've still got some fairly good footy in me and I've got to look at where I think I can play my best footy," O'Meley said.
"I've also got to consider if Canterbury can help me out and keep me. I haven't sat down with my wife and really looked ahead at where I'm going to be.
"I'd like to think I'm a loyal person. That's why I've only been focused on getting fit and preparing myself for the season ahead with the Bulldogs. As far as I'm concerned I'm in the blue and white of Canterbury and that's what matters right now.
"There's a lot of stuff to weigh up so I just want to let my footy do all the talking."
The Sharks and St George-Illawarra also remain in the hunt for O'Meley.
O'Meley missed last night's trial against the Dragons with a quadriceps tear.
He will also miss next week's trial against the Warriors in an effort to be fit for the opening round clash with Newcastle.
<A class=image href="http://www.sundaytelegraph.news.com.au/?from=ni_story"">
![h14_sundaytelegraph.gif](http://network.news.com.au/images/h14_sundaytelegraph.gif)