Parramatta Eels offer Orford chance to slip out of Bradford Bulls contract
7:40am Thursday 14th October 2010
* By Connor Murphy »
Wantaway scrum half Matt Orford is edging ever closer to the Odsal exit.
It is believed the 32-year-old Aussie has requested a release from the remaining two years of his Bulls contract in order to finish his career Down Under.
Currently at home recovering from a shoulder operation, Orford has failed to settle in England after making the switch from Manly Sea Eagles less than a year ago.
Publicly Bradford have maintained a firm stance in the saga, insisting Orford is due back for pre-season training next month, but the former Dally M Medal-winner has been actively seeking a return to the NRL and a conclusion to the saga could be reached by the end of next week.
Parramatta Eels have emerged as the most likely suitors following their appointment of Stephen Kearney as head coach last week.
The pair have been friends since playing together at Melbourne Storm, and Kearney appears confident of attracting his former colleague as a solution to the Eels’ long-running problems in the halves, having made contact with him earlier this week.
The major stumbling block to any potential move remains the Bulls’ desire for a transfer fee. Loathe to lose one of their most high-profile signings of recent years, they are unlikely to agree to an early termination of Orford’s contract without receiving compensation to cushion the blow.
But the Eels appear to be softening to that possibility, with reports in the Australian press suggesting chief executive Paul Osborne could now be willing to negotiate.
Despite their reluctance to let Orford depart, Bradford have already begun to explore contingency plans should a deal be done.
Up to four more signings could make their way to West Yorkshire before the start of next season, with the two half-back positions emerging as main priority.
The lack of out-and-out halves cost the club dear last season, proving to be a major factor in their dramatic slump to tenth in the final Super League standings.
The Bulls won only one of their remaining 13 games last season after Orford suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and were forced to mix and match at pivot, with Paul Sykes, Brett Kearney, Heath L’Estrange, Danny Addy and Steve Menzies all filling in at various points.
