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TIGERS IN WAGON WHEEL AND DEAL
LES MUIR
17/06/2009 12:00:00 AM
GROUP NINE
By Les Muir
lmuir@dailyadvertiser.com.au
FORMER Queensland State of Origin star Daniel Wagon is poised to become the highest-profile Group Nine recruit for at least 30 years.
In a massive coup, Gundagai is on the verge of securing Wagon to play out the rest of the Group Nine season with the Tigers.
The 33-year-old ex-Eels and Dragons playmaker has shown an interest in joining Gundagai as a marquee player before taking up a lucrative contract with an overseas club later in the year.
Gundagai secretary Mick Wheeler yesterday confirmed the Tigers had held preliminary talks with Wagon and was waiting on a firm decision about his plans.
Fuelling the fire, Wheeler yesterday would not completely rule out the prospect of Wagon bursting onto the Group Nine scene with Gundagai as early as Sunday.
"I don't want to make a big fanfare, but I can't say it won't happen," Wheeler said yesterday.
"Right now I haven't even sent him (Wagon) the clearance."
Wheeler said the process of gaining a release for Wagon would involve contacting the French club for which he played this year.
"The clearance would have to go to France, but that's not such a big deal," Wheeler said.
"I can tell you if we was going to play for us on Sunday we'd want to publicise it.
"We'll have to wait and see if anything develops."
Gundagai will play Kangaroos in a Group Nine blockbuster at Anzac Park on Sunday and the appearance of Wagon would guarantee a packed house.
News that Gundagai is close to securing Wagon for the remaining three months of the season will rock Group Nine to its foundations.
No player with such impeccable credentials has played in Group Nine for decades, especially as he only played the last of his 195 games for Parramatta last year.
Born in Brisbane, Wagon played junior football in northern NSW before signing with St George in 1997.
After two years with the Dragons, the centre or five-eighth headed to Parramatta to launch the start of his 10-year and 195-game NRL stint with the Eels.
During the decade at Parramatta, Wagon reached the pinnacle of rugby league by playing three games for the Maroons in the State of Origin series in 2001 and gaining selection to tour England with the Kangaroos.
Wheeler said there was a strong connection between Gundagai and Wagon.
"We've known about it since the start of the year," Wheeler said.
"Someone close to him (Wagon) has ties with someone at Gundagai.
"It's all come about because of that."
Although ex-NRL players, including Craig Field, Brett Gale, Scott Gale, Billy Noke, Wayne Portlock, Mal Cochrane, Jason Ferris and Steve Funnell, have played in Group Nine in the last 20 years, there has not been a player with the same pedigree as Wagon.
Ferris, who is Gundagai captain-coach, said yesterday he would be thrilled if Wagon linked with the Tigers.
"I don't know much about it, but if it comes off it will be great for us," Ferris said.
http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/n...wagon-wheel-and-deal/1543040.aspx?storypage=0
LES MUIR
17/06/2009 12:00:00 AM
GROUP NINE
By Les Muir
lmuir@dailyadvertiser.com.au
FORMER Queensland State of Origin star Daniel Wagon is poised to become the highest-profile Group Nine recruit for at least 30 years.
In a massive coup, Gundagai is on the verge of securing Wagon to play out the rest of the Group Nine season with the Tigers.
The 33-year-old ex-Eels and Dragons playmaker has shown an interest in joining Gundagai as a marquee player before taking up a lucrative contract with an overseas club later in the year.
Gundagai secretary Mick Wheeler yesterday confirmed the Tigers had held preliminary talks with Wagon and was waiting on a firm decision about his plans.
Fuelling the fire, Wheeler yesterday would not completely rule out the prospect of Wagon bursting onto the Group Nine scene with Gundagai as early as Sunday.
"I don't want to make a big fanfare, but I can't say it won't happen," Wheeler said yesterday.
"Right now I haven't even sent him (Wagon) the clearance."
Wheeler said the process of gaining a release for Wagon would involve contacting the French club for which he played this year.
"The clearance would have to go to France, but that's not such a big deal," Wheeler said.
"I can tell you if we was going to play for us on Sunday we'd want to publicise it.
"We'll have to wait and see if anything develops."
Gundagai will play Kangaroos in a Group Nine blockbuster at Anzac Park on Sunday and the appearance of Wagon would guarantee a packed house.
News that Gundagai is close to securing Wagon for the remaining three months of the season will rock Group Nine to its foundations.
No player with such impeccable credentials has played in Group Nine for decades, especially as he only played the last of his 195 games for Parramatta last year.
Born in Brisbane, Wagon played junior football in northern NSW before signing with St George in 1997.
After two years with the Dragons, the centre or five-eighth headed to Parramatta to launch the start of his 10-year and 195-game NRL stint with the Eels.
During the decade at Parramatta, Wagon reached the pinnacle of rugby league by playing three games for the Maroons in the State of Origin series in 2001 and gaining selection to tour England with the Kangaroos.
Wheeler said there was a strong connection between Gundagai and Wagon.
"We've known about it since the start of the year," Wheeler said.
"Someone close to him (Wagon) has ties with someone at Gundagai.
"It's all come about because of that."
Although ex-NRL players, including Craig Field, Brett Gale, Scott Gale, Billy Noke, Wayne Portlock, Mal Cochrane, Jason Ferris and Steve Funnell, have played in Group Nine in the last 20 years, there has not been a player with the same pedigree as Wagon.
Ferris, who is Gundagai captain-coach, said yesterday he would be thrilled if Wagon linked with the Tigers.
"I don't know much about it, but if it comes off it will be great for us," Ferris said.
http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/n...wagon-wheel-and-deal/1543040.aspx?storypage=0
