Morrison tip of Eels big spend
By PETER BADEL
July 11, 2004
PARRAMATTA supremo Denis Fitzgerald warned the club had yet to complete their spending spree after Cowboys back-rower Glenn Morrison became the latest addition to the cashed-up Eels.
But Fitzgerald admitted one of the most aggressive recruitment drives in the club's 57-year history would not be enough to entice Jamie Lyon back to the fold.
The 28-year-old Morrison last night inked a three-year deal, rejecting a desperate last-ditch bid from English side Bradford.
The acquisition of the Country Origin lock is the latest coup for the embattled Eels, who announced the signing of Timana Tahu, Paul Stringer and Chad Robinson on Friday.
Parramatta have also snared Dragons rake Mark Riddell and taken up an option on blockbusting winger Eric Grothe.
Fans have vented their fury at the underperforming Eels this season but the new faces give them their most ominous look since winning the minor premiership in 2001.
And Fitzgerald indicated yesterday the club had not closed the chequebook in their quest to break an 18-year title drought.
"We're not necessarily finished we could get more," he said.
"We're very happy with the players we've contracted for next year and beyond. I'd like to think we're going to be strong across the paddock.
"We've had some awful luck with injuries in recent years, but we thought we needed more firepower and the new guys certainly provide that."
Despite the impressive list of recruits, Lyon's manager Allan Gainey quashed hopes of the NSW and Test star making a return to the Eels in 2005.
Currently playing for Wee Waa, Lyon cannot turn out for a rival NRL club until his Parramatta contract expires at the end of 2006.
"Jamie was given until June 30 to tell Parramatta if he was going to return. He hasn't done that, so he won't be at Parramatta next season," said Gainey.
Currently sidelined with a serious neck injury, Morrison insists he will be fit for pre-season training.
The Eels plan to use him as a foil for Nathan Hindmarsh in what shapes as one of the most dynamic back-rows in the code.
"I'm rapt to join Parramatta," said Morrison, a veteran of 173 first- grade games. "Bradford were very keen but there's a lot keeping me here.
"Apart from my family, I want to play 200 first-grade games and I still want to play Origin football, so hopefully Parra can give me more exposure.
"Brian (Smith) wants me on one side of the ruck and Nathan on the other, with both of us going for 80 minutes."
Fitzgerald denied the mass buying campaign was an admission coach Brian Smith's off-season decision to recruit bulk had failed.
"That is a furphy," he said.
"I don't think the players we signed were all that big, it's not as though our players are any bigger than any other team's players.
"We needed to strengthen our line-up. Brian pinpointed players he wanted and we've gone out and secured them.
"It's an exciting time."
