Signing Orford, will it cost us Tim Smith?

[Jake the snake]

Positives is that he (Orford) is a class player a true half back that has an idea of how to lead the side around.

Negatives is that he is injury prone, he has really bad knees. But the Biggest negatives of all is that if we do sign Orford is that we may lose Tim Smith. Now I can see this turning to another Willie Tonga episode where the young player goes out and seeks a better go somewhere else. Tim Smith is the next big thing in halfs to come along. He will be the next dominator of the No.7 jersey in the competition but in 1-2 year time.

I believe that if this deal with Orford is going to cost us Tim Smith then Im willing to wait 1-2 years of team rebuilding to see the best of our Juniors come through. It shatters me to see Tonga playing for another club but if we lose Tim SMith aswell then...........................................Lets hope Brian Smith is smart and it doesn't come to that.

I've heard that Manly are already sniffing around Tim Smith as Tim used to live with the Cleals, if this happens we will be the biggest laughing stock of the NRL if not already.Does anybody know how long Tim SMith is contracted for and if not how do we find out??

 

[Eelectrica]

I like Orford coming for the short term, but love the idea of Tim Smith long term.

Matt Orford is going to want at least a 3 yr contract, probably 4. With Tim Smith now in prems, he's got to be thinking that a run in 1sts isn't far off.
If we sign up Orford, is there another position that TS could play (when ready) in 1sts so as we could have the best of both worlds?

If given a choice I'd take the long term option in Tim Smith though.

 

[Eels Dude]

I'd take Tim Smith. The other factor to consider is that Orford would cost very big bucks, we could probably retain 6 young players for the price of bringing him to the club, i'd rather Smith and some other youngsters than another big buy.

 

[eels_fan]

Parra has offered Orford $400k a year, unless Melbourne let go of a few more players, they wont keep him. No other club has offered anywhere near as much as Parra has (most have offered around the 300k-350k)

 

[strider]

I also just read a SMH article by Roy Masters http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/04/1086203632029.html . This isn't about possible signings or anything and I think the following quote is in reference to Orford's request put to Melbourne, but maybe there could be something in it.


"...The Storm's Matt Orford has demanded a massive one-year deal and Melbourne officials suspect the former Central Coast-based halfback is keeping his options open should there be a team based at Gosford in 2006..."


Is it possible that Orford might come to Parra on a big contract for just 1yr....that way he keeps his options open to go to the Central Coast (if they have any chance of getting in), we get a year with him to do something and Tim Smith keeps developing and can still see an opportunity in the not so distant future.

 

[Hurriflatch]

If that is the case then I'd like to see him signed.

That way Parra can have a stable experienced half for 1 year then bring in Witt/Smith combination full time a la JT in 2001 and what should have happened with PJ Marsh.

 

[Redback71]

the other good thing id like about having orford there is that it will give someone like witt and smith invaluable experience something they can only learn by playing along side someone like orford who is experience and most importanly in form

 

[Hurriflatch]

REdback: My point excatly only with Witt signed for 4 years (by the time Orford leaves 2 more) and hopefully Smith signed for long term it will this time benefit Parramatta not another club *cough*Warriors*cough*

 

[thedux]

Orford is only 26 so he has at least 6-7 years left which means he is a LONG-TERM option. As good as Tim Smith might EVENTUALLY be he is not a patch on Orford and probably won't be for 3-4 years at least, if ever! Don't forget that Hindy and Cayless are off contract at the end of next year so whilst YOU may be willing to waitr another 2-3 years, I'm not sure that those guys will be. Tim Smith is an unknown quantity at NRL level, Orford is not.

 

[Earl]

Orford would be best secured on a long term deal but the fact is he wants to play for the CC. So a 1 year deal is realsitic for now.

 

[Parraren]

It's a hell of alot of pressure and expectation to put on a kid who has not even played a single game of first grade yet. Are we all automatically assuming he's going to be the next Sterling and win us 3 or 4 premierships? He may well do but I'd like to see Smith & Witt develop along side a truely talented half like Orford.

One thing is for sure, we should only be chasing Orford if we are releasing Dykes. This way the deal is effectively only going to cost us $100K (Orford's $400K - Dykes $300K). If both Witt & Smith (and possibly Thorman) are still stuck behind Dykes next year then I'll give up.

The best scenario is to let Witt, Smith (& possibly Thorman) fight it out for 5/8th along side Orford at Halfback. Dykes must go.

 

[Phillips]

we dont need tim smith, less juniors and more "class" players is what we need

 

[AlexTheEel]

Although some young players like to go to clubs where they can have a starting position and more money not all do. There are alot of them that think more about which club will give them the best chance to show their talent.

Having Smith as out halfback next year may get him a little nervous. The presure on him would be enormous especailly at a club with an unforgivng and impatient fan base. Having Orford may help him to relax knowing he has a quality player to work with. I'm sure he could learn alot about from Orford and I think it would make him a better player.

Rushing youngsters into grade isn't something I always agree with becase it can have disastrous effects. Confidemce is fragile espcailly at the age of 17 and 18.

And remember 12 or 13 clubs wanted Smith a few years ago and he choose Parra because he is a parra supporter.

 

[Phillips]

is everyone forgetting about michael witt #-o ...i beleive he is our future half....

 

[Y2Eel]

is everyone forgetting about michael witt #-o ...i beleive he is our future half....

more like our future 5/8

 

[Phillips]

is everyone forgetting about michael witt #-o ...i beleive he is our future half....

more like our future 5/8

Chris Thorman....

 

[Y2Eel]

is everyone forgetting about michael witt #-o ...i beleive he is our future half....

more like our future 5/8

Chris Thorman....

plays half and if we sign orford wont be an eel in 05

 

[Jake the snake]

Lets face it guys Chris Thormann is shit, he is no good please forget about him he will back to england in no time.

 

[Phillips]

he's better then dykes #-o

 

[Suitman]

You have got to be kidding Jake. :roll:

Suity