Rumoured and Confirmed Signings and Crap IX

[muznik]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...d-adds-bite-to-dogs-clash-20130313-2g0vz.html

Parramatta have made a play for Canterbury forward Frank Pritchard in a move that will add further spice to Thursday night's clash between the arch rivals.
Pritchard, one of the biggest-name forwards off contract at the end of the season, is also considering interest from St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers.
However, the Eels are the club most likely to lure him away from Belmore as they attempt to bolster their pack. They thought they had nabbed their first big name under new coach Ricky Stuart when Josh Papalii signed a three-year deal worth $1.3 million. However, Canberra got underneath their guard, benefiting from a rule that allows the holding club up until round 13 to lodge a counter offer.
Pritchard has returned to his devastating best under the coaching of Des Hasler and the Bulldogs are keen to retain him. However, they are unlikely to be able to compete with Parramatta's offer. The 29-year-old has a family connection at the Eels, with younger brother Kaysa a hooker on the club's books.
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A leg injury will prevent the New Zealand international from taking on the Eels at ANZ Stadium and he could be out for up to another month.
The Dragons are also looking to add starch to their pack and are keen to add the man dubbed ''Frank the Tank'' to their books.
The Eels remain cashed up after missing out on several of their signing targets including Papalii and Cowboys props Matt Scott and James Tamou. They are also after off-contract Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah but the NSW hooker is expected to re-sign on a deal that will make him a Tiger for life.
It is understood Brisbane utility Corey Norman is close to agreeing to join the Eels. Norman's preferred position is pivot but he has been shifted to fullback after the arrival of Scott Prince.
Norman has told those close to him that he is poised to accept the $400,000-a-year deal.

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For some reason, I'm not hopeful...

The scariest part of all that is they are still talking these ridiculous numbers for Norman !

I'd take Frank for a reasonable amount. He is a BIG unit and would strengthen our pack.

 

[Eels Dude]

Benny debuted in 2004 I think, and he hits his 10 years this season, so I'd say the long serving player allowance would mean that none of his salary is counted under the cap next year. IF thats the case, I hope the club were smart enough to back end Bennys deal.

I don't know if your understanding of the long service rule is on the money. Firstly, I believe it's only 8 years not 10, therefore Ben Smith is already eligible, and it's 300k allowance, but no more than 100k discount per player.

 

[The Elephant In The room]

I don't know if your understanding of the long service rule is on the money. Firstly, I believe it's only 8 years not 10, therefore Ben Smith is already eligible, and it's 300k allowance, but no more than 100k discount per player.

You're right about the 8 years, but I thought the $300k was a total, which could be split anyway between any player eligible.

 

[hybrideel]

Fui is also eligible for us

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

Interweb chatter is that Graham Murray has had a heart attack. Get well soon Muz !

I hope not. Muz was my old Maths teacher and footy coach back at Cambo. Still run into him every now and then so I hope he's alright.

 

[Stagger eel]

Little Artie ...

Get well buddy... Talkin sport also reported it

 

[emjaycee]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Muzza

 

[whall15]

Just caught the end of it because it dropped out for a bit but Brent Read seems to think that Broncos may give Norman an early release to be replaced by Josh Dugan.

 

[Avenger]

Farah close to signing a new deal with Tigers.





Wests Tigers officials are close to re-signing their captain and hooker Robbie Farah, and may do so as early as next week.
In a boost for the Tigers as they look to turn around their first-up loss to Newcastle, Fairfax Media has been told officials hope they can announce a new deal next week, before their round-three clash with Parramatta at Leichhardt Oval.


The Eels were one club believed to be keen to sign the NSW hooker, who starred as a State of Origin player last year under the guidance of now Parramatta coach Ricky Stuart. However, Parramatta chief executive Ken Edwards made it clear on Thursday that the Eels were no longer in discussions with Farah.


The Tigers, meanwhile, have ramped up negotiations in recent days. The club's chief executive Stephen Humphreys met Farah's agent Sam Ayoub twice this week and was confident a deal was close.


Farah is a Leichhardt junior and has played his entire NRL career at the Tigers.


''The re-signing of Robbie continues to be our number one priority,'' Humphreys said. ''We've had a couple of meetings this week with his manager, and we feel we're very close to a satisfactory outcome for everyone.''


A confirmation next week would give the Tigers a lift ahead of their first match of the season at Leichhardt, not to mention giving them some certainty for the rest of the season.



However, the Eels may be about to announce their own major re-signing. There is some chance that the club will be in a position to announce the retention of fullback and co-captain Jarryd Hayne before the clash with the Tigers next Friday night. Edwards described talks with Hayne's manager Wayne Beavis so far as ''constructive''.


The club is expected to sign Brisbane's Corey Norman, but the Broncos are still fighting to retain their player. So highly do they rate Norman, the Broncos see the 21-year-old as a priority even with Canberra's sacked fullback Josh Dugan on the market.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...with-tigers-20130315-2g61n.html#ixzz2Nesm41Y4
​

 

[natheel]

Who gives a fug about Norman lets re-sign hayne!

 

[IFR33K]

Heard we are a real chance of frank the tank.

Between us and dragons, and he won't be at dogs next year.

Apparently had a massive fall out with their number 1 player

 

[Utey]

You'd have heard about it if that was the case, surely?

 

[Jake the snake]

Some of the things that Barba has done would make your draw drop. Would not want a person like that at our club. Absolute disgrace!!! Not even rehab can help him.

 

[Avenger]

The best player still unsigned for 2014 is Matt Gillett. Could We be in stealth mode and trying to sign both Norman and Gillett? I hope so. Gillett is the best young running backrower in the game. I'd give $500k a season.

 

[pedge]

The best player still unsigned for 2014 is Matt Gillett. Could We be in stealth mode and trying to sign both Norman and Gillett? I hope so. Gillett is the best young running backrower in the game. I'd give $500k a season.

This whole time we have been chasing Norman I have been hoping that we have been merely pushing up his price to go after Gillett. I cant believe the Broncos have not resigned him yet

 

[mickdo]

My feeling as well. Hope its true and not just wishful thinking.

 

[Avenger]

He would give perfect balance to our up and coming second row. We must give him an offer he can't refuse.

 

[Jake the snake]

I'd throw everything at Gillet, forget about Pritchard.

 

[Avenger]

Brisbane Broncos backrower Matt Gillett playing for a new deal with the club



BRISBANE backrower Matt Gillett is playing to clinch a new NRL contract at the Broncos as well as retain his coveted starting position.


Gillett is off contract this year and certain to attract plenty of interest among NRL rivals given his rise to the Maroons and being on the cusp of Test selection last season.


But the 24-year-old Queensland Origin forward is not yet entertaining thoughts of leaving the Broncos and is doing all he can to convince Brisbane to make him an offer he can't refuse, a mission he will continue on Saturday night when the Broncos play away against Sydney Roosters.


"I will be happy to stay up here at the Broncos. I love the place and love everything about it," Gillett said.
"But to do that you've got to play good footy and keep taking one step at a time. Hopefully I get to stay up here.
"I don't want to worry about (other offers coming in).
"I will let my manager do that and I will concentrate on playing good footy for the Broncos and I really want to do that this year and play consistent footy for them and stick together as a team."


Complicating Gillett's negotiations is the fact his manager, Issac Moses, is suspended until the end of the month as a result of the Storm salary cap scandal.


Gillett won't be cheap for the Broncos to retain given his age and rising status in the team.One NRL football manager said young forwards were now expecting to sign $1 million three-year deals after the rise in salary cap. But for Gillett his focus is as much on opportunity and certainly securing a starting position this year has clarified where he stands in the club's future plans. While Ben Te'o left the Broncos last year to seek a starting role at South Sydney, Gillett is prepared to fight to retain his position in the long term.


"It made me feel a lot better about where I stand sort of thing," Gillett said of his starting gig."But as it is, it's always going to be a contest up here for spots and you're not guaranteed anything."If you want that spot you've got to earn it and you've got to keep it."


Gillett said one of the biggest challenges coach Anthony Griffin had set him this year was to "take ownership" of the Broncos right-side defence, where he is joined by Justin Hodges and recruit Scott Prince.The right side has been under siege both games this year, but after being disappointing in the loss to Manly they held firm against St George Illawarra in the 22-6 win last Friday."Definitely, we were a bit indecisive (against Manly)," Gillett said.
"It was a good feeling (to turn it around against the Dragons) and we will take a bit of confidence out of that as a whole team and a bit of trust with each other which is good."


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/n...al-with-the-club/story-e6frfgbo-1226599282696




Like I said, give him $500K and he should be tempted.

 

[Eelementary]

But what if that $500,000 deal makes it harder to hold onto Tanginoa or Masinamua?