Penelope Pittstop
Bench
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the Club have come out and stated publically what there intentions are regarding Freddy's Retirement.
Roosters prefer to grow their own than buy expensive brands
By Brad Walter
May 6, 2004
Lote Tuqiri will not be joining the Sydney Roosters next season. Nor will Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer or Matt Orford.
Sydney Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said yesterday the club had held one brief meeting with Tuqiri's management two months ago to ascertain whether the Wallabies winger was interested in returning to the NRL.
But even with Brad Fittler announcing this week that he was retiring at the end of the season, Canavan said the Roosters could not accommodate Tuqiri.
"The only meeting we had was initiated by Lote's manager, not by us, and no figures were ever discussed," Canavan said.
"We haven't had any contact since but we are not in the market for a winger anyway and certainly not for the sort of money he can command."
Canavan said the Roosters had already committed most of the $3.25 million clubs are allowed to spend under the salary cap on long-term contracts, and were expecting a number of players in their lower grades and junior ranks to become future NRL stars.
He said coach Ricky Stuart planned for either Craig Wing or Chris Flannery, touted as Lockyer's likely replacement as Queensland five-eighth in the first Origin match, to assume Fittler's No.6 jersey next season.
"Ricky is really excited about Craig Wing as a five-eighth because he believes Craig has learnt the game as a hooker, and the other name he has mentioned is Chris Flannery, who has played five-eighth and slotted into five-eighth last weekend when Freddy was given an early mark," Canavan said.
"We see Chris Flannery as a strong chance to play five-eighth for Queensland, so I'm sure a lot of clubs would be pretty comfortable with Chris Flannery and/or Craig Wing as five-eighth options."
Eventually it is envisaged that Flannery will take over the lock role when Luke Ricketson retires in another year or two.
Ricketson has confirmed that he intends playing again next season and Canavan said the club was finalising a new deal for the 31-year-old international.
"We do have two hookers surfacing now in the club, namely Stuart Webb and Heath Le Strange, and there's also Ian Henderson, who has played about 10 first-grade games and he's only 20 years old," Canavan said.
"But if you come back to Craig Wing and Chris Flannery, they're signed at our club for the next couple of years, as is Justin Hodges, Nathan Cayless, Craig Fitzgibbon, Adrian Morley and a number of others.
"The other thing is that our under-20s are undefeated, our under-18s were minor premiers in the SG Ball and are playing in the major semi-final of that competition this weekend, and in my opinion we've got the best junior talent base in my 11 seasons at the club.
"There are a number of first-graders coming through. Indeed, we've got a 17-year-old centre, Iosia Soliola, playing second grade already, so if you go and look too far afield you shut down opportunities for your current crop of players.
"That's what we've been working on for years. We knew this [Fittler's retirement] was happening and we've been doing our succession planning.
"That why I was absolutely amazed today to hear us linked to Timana Tahu and Luke Priddis. We're happy to fill from within, so I would like to distance us from all of these rumours."
Meanwhile, the Broncos have issued a statement denying reports that one of their players was involved in an incident at Brisbane's Treasury Casino while in camp with the Queensland Origin squad last Sunday night.
The club said it had telephoned the accused player as well as contacting the casino, which had said it had no complaints about a player or official.
In other news, the NRL partnership committee yesterday deferred a decision on whether to expand the 2006 premiershipuntil it obtains more information on the viability of bids from the Gold Coast, Central Coast and Wellington to become the 16th team.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/05/1083635207239.html
I don't know what you guys think about Wing or Hitman, personally I think they will both do the job admirably. I think the 'popular' opinion would be Wing to 5/8 and replace him with one of our young blokes. HOWEVER, I think that Flannery may very well get the nod. He is one of the most underated players. One of the best to ever lace up a boot. I can't praise him highly enough.
Trolls be warned, don't piss me off today, I'm not in the mood.
Roosters prefer to grow their own than buy expensive brands
By Brad Walter
May 6, 2004
Lote Tuqiri will not be joining the Sydney Roosters next season. Nor will Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer or Matt Orford.
Sydney Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said yesterday the club had held one brief meeting with Tuqiri's management two months ago to ascertain whether the Wallabies winger was interested in returning to the NRL.
But even with Brad Fittler announcing this week that he was retiring at the end of the season, Canavan said the Roosters could not accommodate Tuqiri.
"The only meeting we had was initiated by Lote's manager, not by us, and no figures were ever discussed," Canavan said.
"We haven't had any contact since but we are not in the market for a winger anyway and certainly not for the sort of money he can command."
Canavan said the Roosters had already committed most of the $3.25 million clubs are allowed to spend under the salary cap on long-term contracts, and were expecting a number of players in their lower grades and junior ranks to become future NRL stars.
He said coach Ricky Stuart planned for either Craig Wing or Chris Flannery, touted as Lockyer's likely replacement as Queensland five-eighth in the first Origin match, to assume Fittler's No.6 jersey next season.
"Ricky is really excited about Craig Wing as a five-eighth because he believes Craig has learnt the game as a hooker, and the other name he has mentioned is Chris Flannery, who has played five-eighth and slotted into five-eighth last weekend when Freddy was given an early mark," Canavan said.
"We see Chris Flannery as a strong chance to play five-eighth for Queensland, so I'm sure a lot of clubs would be pretty comfortable with Chris Flannery and/or Craig Wing as five-eighth options."
Eventually it is envisaged that Flannery will take over the lock role when Luke Ricketson retires in another year or two.
Ricketson has confirmed that he intends playing again next season and Canavan said the club was finalising a new deal for the 31-year-old international.
"We do have two hookers surfacing now in the club, namely Stuart Webb and Heath Le Strange, and there's also Ian Henderson, who has played about 10 first-grade games and he's only 20 years old," Canavan said.
"But if you come back to Craig Wing and Chris Flannery, they're signed at our club for the next couple of years, as is Justin Hodges, Nathan Cayless, Craig Fitzgibbon, Adrian Morley and a number of others.
"The other thing is that our under-20s are undefeated, our under-18s were minor premiers in the SG Ball and are playing in the major semi-final of that competition this weekend, and in my opinion we've got the best junior talent base in my 11 seasons at the club.
"There are a number of first-graders coming through. Indeed, we've got a 17-year-old centre, Iosia Soliola, playing second grade already, so if you go and look too far afield you shut down opportunities for your current crop of players.
"That's what we've been working on for years. We knew this [Fittler's retirement] was happening and we've been doing our succession planning.
"That why I was absolutely amazed today to hear us linked to Timana Tahu and Luke Priddis. We're happy to fill from within, so I would like to distance us from all of these rumours."
Meanwhile, the Broncos have issued a statement denying reports that one of their players was involved in an incident at Brisbane's Treasury Casino while in camp with the Queensland Origin squad last Sunday night.
The club said it had telephoned the accused player as well as contacting the casino, which had said it had no complaints about a player or official.
In other news, the NRL partnership committee yesterday deferred a decision on whether to expand the 2006 premiershipuntil it obtains more information on the viability of bids from the Gold Coast, Central Coast and Wellington to become the 16th team.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/05/1083635207239.html
I don't know what you guys think about Wing or Hitman, personally I think they will both do the job admirably. I think the 'popular' opinion would be Wing to 5/8 and replace him with one of our young blokes. HOWEVER, I think that Flannery may very well get the nod. He is one of the most underated players. One of the best to ever lace up a boot. I can't praise him highly enough.
Trolls be warned, don't piss me off today, I'm not in the mood.
I didn't want to sign any more big name players...we have the perfect replacements already within the Club.
