That article with the Cowboys publicly giving him the option to look elsewhere is all but confirmation of the deal in my eyes.
A re-cap of events;
FRIDAY - Sterlo announces on live television that Paul Osbourne told him the Eels have signed a quality centre.
SATURDAY - the rumour pops up all over the sports media, as well as insiders here such as Staggs and others revealing it, that Willie Tonga is the player.
SUNDAY - the Cowboys publicly express that Willie Tonga has been given leeway to seek out options for next year, citing personal issues (he hasn't settled in at Townsville).
To me it also means that Ossie's outburst has merely made the Cowboys go public about Tonga potentially leaving, although I would imagine all three parties; the Eels, the Cowboys, and Tonga's management, would have still kept it under tabs until it was fully worked out.
Also, has anyone noticed the subtle similarity here; Ossie said to Sterlo that the signing would be announced in a couple of weeks (presumably 2), whereas the Cowboys have given Tonga two weeks to sort his future out? Coincidence?
Hopefully it means the parties can work out the transfer agreement.
This is all just speculation on my part and should in no way be taken as fact. But to me the signs point to the fact that the deal is done and hopefully it will indeed pull through.
