Rovelli Signed Up With Vodafone Warriors Until 2010

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

You all have probably already read this but here you go anyway!

NRL rookie Grant Rovelli has extended his stay with the Vodafone Warriors to the end of the 2010 NRL season.
The 22-year-old arrived in Auckland last October on a two-year deal aiming to break into first grade football after three seasons playing in the Sydney Roosters’ premier league side.
He achieved his goal immediately by making his first-grade debut off the interchange bench in the Vodafone Warriors’ opening match of the 2006 season against Melbourne in March.
Since then he has gone on to feature in all nine of the club’s matches so far, seven times off the bench as well as having starts at standoff against Canberra and in his preferred position of halfback against the St George Illawarra Dragons just last Saturday night.
Head coach Ivan Cleary, who was Rovelli’s coach at the Roosters in 2003 and 2004, says the signing is important for the club’s future.
“Grant has taken every chance offered since arriving in Auckland,” he said.
“It’s vital we do all we can to secure players of his ability and character on a long-term basis. This is a great signing for the club and it will help us to build a team around the established players we have and the local ones we’re developing.”
Rovelli becomes the fourth player in recent weeks to agree terms for extended or new contracts with the Vodafone Warriors. Also secured are wingers Manu Vatuvei and Misi Taulapapa plus 2005 rookie of the year Simon Mannering.
Born in Mackay in North Queensland, Rovelli is capable of playing in the halves or at hooker.
“But halfback is his natural position,” said Cleary.
“We wanted to see what he could offer in the No 7’s role against the Dragons last week. While he still has a fair way to go he’s certainly a long-term proposition in that job.”
Rovelli has again been named at halfback for the Vodafone Warriors’ 11th-round encounter with Wests Tigers at Ericsson Stadium on Saturday night.
GRANT ROVELLI
Born: September 3, 1983
Birthplace: Mackay, Queensland
Position: Halfback/standoff/hooker
Height: 176cm
Weight: 82kg
Junior Club: Souths (Mackay)
NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Melbourne, Ericsson
Stadium, March 12, 2006 (Round 1)
NRL Career: Vodafone Warriors – 9 games
NRL Points: 4 (1 try)

 

[MKEB...]

Does that make you happy spinny?

 

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

Does that make you happy spinny?

Yes it does! hehe :crazy:

 

[freeridermx]

does anyone think this seems a bit over the top? 4 yrs on top of this year seem a long time for some one that hasn`t done a get deal.
i have liked the look of him but till 2010 seem a bit long for me and when he signed a two year deal anyway. good to see them locking the players up but this one seemed a bit long ? what does everyone else think?

 

[NIGHTMARE-HITTER]

Yeah I did, but I think that perhaps Jon akland gave cleary the nod on this one. his picking of amazing talent we all know of. I guess he would know if Rovelli was going to turn into a great player or not !!! they must see him as a future matt Orford

 

[NIGHTMARE-HITTER]

Perhaps this kids confidence must be sky high as well, the warriors may have actually suckered him a little into this deal. Knowing how long he spent at the roosters without cracking firstgrade and how much it ment to him to play at NRL level. Wouldnt be suprised if the warriors really got the better side of the deal !!

 

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

There's probably alot to it then we might know. But I've mentioned on nzwarriors.com with the players the Warriors have resigned it's just some kinda of signal (I guess) of where they see the team going at some point in the future.

 

[NZ Warrior]

Yes, it's certainly a good sign. I think the Warriors have done the right thing here. A good halfback commands a bigger salary. With the Warriors signing up Rovelli, they don't need to worry about it. Yes, they are taking a gamble on Rovelli coming through, but it's a good gamble.

I think we are really going to see Rovelli shine, now he has the #7 jersey. But he is always going to be under great pressure if we don't get a decent stand off in the #6 jersey.

 

[BatiFan]

Will this signing of Rovelli see the end of Hohaia in a Warriors jersey, or do the Warriors now see him as a specialist hooker or even five eighth?

 

[MKEB...]

Will this signing of Rovelli see the end of Hohaia in a Warriors jersey, or do the Warriors now see him as a specialist hooker or even five eighth?

If he can get in the team and then prove himself......again

Hohaia has talent but i can see him as no more than a journey man. I love his talent but he's not it...

 

[Humphrey]

WTF no one should get a four year contract based on a shaky first half season even if the blokes only 22. Havent seen two consectutive great games in a row from him yet even

 

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

The thing is Humphrey, we're not the experts on the guy. Only the people that know him well are so they obviously know something that we don't.
I don't think it's totally the end of Hohaia just yet. Rememer that Nath and George aren't going to be here long either so if they are gone (which is probably likely I don't know) and if Ropo doesn't do himself justice as a 5.8 then no doubt Hohaia should be bouncing back again.

 

[ozbash]

The thing is Humphrey, we're not the experts on the guy. Only the people that know him well are so they obviously know something that we don't.

hmmm, this could be interesting :whistle :whistle

 

[Skinner]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

:sarcasm: