Signings: Orford and Riddell possible EELS!!

[eels_fan]

It is reported today that Parramatta have offered Matt Orford a $400,000 a year contract. Melbourne originally offered him just $300,000, so unless they can free up another 100k, Orford WILL be in the blue and gold next season. 5 others teams have shown interest in Orford, but non have offered a contract in the vicinity of that which Parramatta has offered.

Mark Riddell also met with Parramatta officials yesterday, and was quoted as saying "i love the set up here, the coaching staff are all great and i had a great chat with Brian Smith, Nathan Cayless and Nathan Hindmarsh"......."i'll make my decision by the end of next week, but at the moment theres Parramatta, Cronulla and the Dragons who im looking at"

 

[Eels Dude]

Already a thread on this mate.....

http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/viewtopic.php?t=25370

 

[Redback71]

far out looking exciting can you imagin having these two, but who will we have to let go in order to snare them for the money there asking.


Dykes for starters hell free up around 300,000

 

[Hurriflatch]

depends on the excates of Lyon's release I doubt that the full 250K will be taken off the cap but threre is a chance that say only 1/2 will count under the cap.

There are a number of players off contract while none are big money earners eg Pearson, Muspratt, Kaufusi, Langi and Thorman it does all add up in the end.

 

[Eels Dude]

far out looking exciting can you imagin having these two, but who will we have to let go in order to snare them for the money there asking.

That's the problem I have. It's ok now if we have money under the cap, but what about in 12 months time when Vaealiki, Hindmarsh, Cayless, Morris and others come off contract. This seems very similar to 2001 and Adam Dykes, at the time we could fit him under the cap, but a year later we lost Ian Hindmarsh, Ryan, Drew etc because of it.

 

[Redback71]

do u think we should keep thorman

 

[Hurriflatch]

Eels Dude: Orford will only be signed for 1 year so he can join the Central Coast Bears in 2006 if they get in, unlike the 4 year deal given to Dykes.

Redback: If they sign Orford then Thorman is gone if Parra don't get Orofrd then it depends on how he goes for the rest of the year.

 

[eels_fan]

I believe Orford will be looking for a MINIMUM three year contact, possibly four...he was quoted saying "this will my first major signing and it will be an important move, if in fact i leave melbourne" so i dont think he's going to move to Parramatta just for a season..

 

[Hurriflatch]

Orford wants to play for VCentral Coast in their 1st year if he signs a 3-4 year deal that won't happen if the CC are in from 2006.

The only way he'll sign a 3-4 year deal is if there is a clause stateing he can get out if CC get in.

 

[Eels Dude]

Eels Dude: Orford will only be signed for 1 year so he can join the Central Coast Bears in 2006 if they get in, unlike the 4 year deal given to Dykes.

That is just speculation i'm sure, we don't know what kind of offer the club have put forward but it seems unlikely they'd just be after a one year deal, Orford's desire to play for the Central Coast also may take a backwards step if he is offered a deal worth 400k per season.

 

[eels_fan]

The Herald today states that Orford has been offered $400k by Parra, which is much more than what other clubs have laid down..

 

[Eels Dude]

And that's my point. If the Eels are offering him a 3 or 4 year deal worth 400k then he is surely going to reconsider his dedication to play for a Central Coast side.

 

[Hurriflatch]

It said nothing about the length of the deal and Roy Masters quoted as saying Orford is after a BIG 1 year deal before going to the CC if they happen.

 

[Twizzle]

Here we go again

Spend a fortune on one player, and Witt, Smith, Green, Mateo ect stay in Premmy league, like Tonga did.

Then they get released.

We dont need Orford. If he is so good, why is he looking for his third club.

 

[Hurriflatch]

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.

 

[Eels Dude]

I don't think clubs would be offering big money for just a single year, keep in mind the fact that he could get a season ending injury early on and they've blown all that money. Part of the reasoning for a club signing a player to that amount of money is that they get his services long term. I highly doubt any club would part with 400k for just a one season deal.

 

[eels_fan]

Parra are looking for a long term successful halves prospect. They wouldnt be stupid enough to give him $400k just to be with us for a year and then leave, what good would that do. And i dont think Orford is dumb enough to risk a good contract and a career on the basis that the central coast 'might' have a team in 2006.

 

[Hurriflatch]

If you read things 1st

it mentor Witt and Smith.

JT would have helped PJ Marsh out a lot during 2001, Marsh then unfourtunatly left to the Warriors.

BTW have you and Eelsdude ever been seen at the same time in a room that doesn't have a mirror :?:

 

[Phillips]

not Riddell #-o

 

[Y2Eel]

they should only get orford if they are going to get rid of dykes and thorman and sign him for max of 2 years and groom tim smith for half when he leaves and witt for 5/8... i would scream if we signed him and didnt re sign some of our talented juniors.......

riddell would be a good player to come of the bench as an impact player and still use morris at starting hooker...