www.sports-force.net.au
David Stagg to tour Bulldogs HQ
by Matthew Attard
Broncos and QLD State of Origin representative back rower David Stagg is closer to signing a 2 year deal, rumoured to be worth around $250,000 a season, with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Sports Force understands that Stagg, who is contracted to Brisbane for the 2009 season, has asked for a release to join the Bulldogs for '09 and beyond and the Broncos are unlikely to deny him a release. Stagg has been invited by Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg and coach Kevin Moore to tour facilities at Olympic Park, the facility the Bulldogs now train at.
Speaking about Stagg, Bulldogs recruitment manager Peter Mulholland said "We looked at David Stagg earlier in the year, but it didn't fit with Reni and Sonny Bill. In six months, it's all turned around. He fits the bill in a lot of ways. For what Todd (Greenberg) and Kevin Moore (Bulldogs coach) want to do at the club, he'd fit right in. Character-wise, football-wise, he ticks all the boxes."
As well as a guaranteed starting spot in the #13 jersey, Stagg has been looked at as a mentor for young back rowers such as Gary Warburton and Daniel Harrison, who is tipped to make his mark on the NRL in 2009.
"Kev (Coach Kevin Moore) has spoken to Stagg on the phone, which is great." Mulholland said. "That was a great conversation and they hit it off well. Kev gave him his ideas on how he would use David. David wants to play 13 and we feel we can provide that.''
While Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen has stated that the Broncos won't deny Stagg a longer deal, the Origin rep has plenty of reasons to stay in Brisbane with his wife Temika recently giving birth to first child Paige Olivia, who is now 4 months old. To further entice Stagg to stay is the loss of representative back rowers Greg Eastwood and Toni Caroll, paving the way for Stagg to cement a permanent spot in the 17.
A decision is expected from Stagg in the coming weeks.
