Manly have their Witt about them in deal of two halves
By Brad Walter
October 7, 2004
Manly are today expected to announce the signing of boom Parramatta playmaker Michael Witt after the Eels released him in the hope of luring New Zealand Test halfback Thomas Leuluai.
Witt, 20, who has three years to run on his contract, was advised by Parramatta officials he would be free to leave if a better opportunity arose.
He is understood to have agreed terms with the Sea Eagles, who are reeling after five-eighth Andrew Walker retired, having testing positive for cocaine. Witt also would be a goalkicking replacement for Walker.
A disappointed Witt said yesterday that he was in discussions with the Eels about his playing future but declined to comment further, except to say that the move was instigated by the club.
"Obviously I didn't expect it, it just came out of the blue, so it was a bit of a surprise, but that's the way it goes," Witt said.
"I'm signed at Parramatta for three more years, so I can stay if I want to but at this stage I am talking with them about my future ... that's all I can really say."
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Witt, who made his NRL debut in round eight of the 2003 competition, played for the remainder of the season in the Eels' first-grade side and was named alongside Scott Prince, Rhys Wesser, Matthew Bowen and Cameron Smith in an Emerging Queensland Origin squad at the beginning of this year.
But he could not get a start in first grade until round 12 and shared the halfback duties with Englishman Chris Thorman, who has since returned home to Huddersfield.
With St George Illawarra hooker Mark Riddell joining the club next season, Eels coach Brian Smith plans to use utility John Morris in the halves, and he has also signed PJ Marsh and teenage five-eighth Marcus Perenara from the Warriors.
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald yesterday confirmed the club had also made a formal offer for Leuluai, who is seeking a release from the Warriors.
The son of former Kiwis great James Leuluai, who played for Manly in 1983, the 19-year-old halfback was this week named to make his third Test appearance for New Zealand, against Australia at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium.
But at the Warriors, he is considered backup to Stacey Jones and spent most of the season playing for Otahuhu-Ellerslie in New Zealand's domestic Bartercard Cup competition.
The Warriors, who have signed North Queensland playmaker Nathan Fien, whose form was a revelation in the finals series, are well covered if Jones fails to recapture his form next season or becomes injured. They also have halves Jerome Ropati and Lance Hohaia on their roster.
"We've had a chat to him and we're just awaiting word back from him," Fitzgerald said of Leuluai, who looked over the facilities at Parramatta Stadium during a visit to Sydney last week.
Warriors chief executive Mick Watson said Leuluai was keen for a regular NRL berth but felt that his path was blocked at the club because of the presence of Jones and the arrival of Fien, expected to start next season at hooker.
Leuluai is also considering offers to play in England and has been linked to Widnes - should former Warriors and Kiwis coach Frank Endacott agree to take charge of the battling Super League club next season. Endacott said he would decide by the end of this week.
The Warriors yesterday finalised a three-year deal with Sydney Roosters winger Todd Byrne, a member of the club's grand final-winning premier league team last Sunday under the coaching of Ivan Cleary.
Byrne, who made 18 NRL appearances this year, will join Cleary in Auckland, the former Manly, Roosters and Warriors fullback having been appointed assistant coach to Tony Kemp.
Manly have snared Cronulla's Jersey Flegg grand-final halfback Travis Burns.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/06/1096949589451.html
