Vella Happy To Remain An Eel

[eels_fan]

Vella happy to remain at home
By James Hooper
February 3, 2005

FORMER Australian prop Michael Vella has dismissed the possibility of joining English Super League giants Wigan in favour of staying at Parramatta.

Wigan originally approached Vella last season about moving to the UK in 2005, but the Eels prop is adamant he has unfinished business in the NRL.

Once a regular in the NSW Origin squad, Vella has admitted the quality of his football has suffered over the past two seasons.

But rather than taking the easy option of a big-money offer in England, the Eels prop wants to attempt to return to peak form in the NRL.

"[Wigan] are talking about going over straight away from what I've heard but I'm contracted to Parramatta for the rest of this year," Vella said.

"If I can improve my football this season and get back to where I was a couple of years ago then I would like to stay at Parramatta.

"I signed a contract with the Eels a couple of seasons ago, where I am a local junior, and I intend to see it out. pity lyon didnt do this

"I'm very happy where I am, we've bought well, we look like having a strong side and I believe we're a real chance at a premiership."

Wigan must now continue what has developed into a desperate search for an Australian import prop after former Canberra front-rower Luke Davico tore his pectoral muscle last week. South Sydney rejected an offer to release captain Bryan Fletcher to Wigan on Tuesday, prompting the Vella link to arise again.

While Vella has not completely ruled out playing in England before his career finishes, for the time being the Eels prop wants to concentrate on remaining a one-club player with the Eels.

Off-contract at the end of this season, Vella has set himself to recapture his best form after the Eels recruited props Chad Robinson and Paul Stringer for this season.

"To be honest I'm not really looking to go anywhere, I'd really like to remain a one-club man in the NRL with Parramatta," Vella said.

"Nathan Hindmarsh and Nathan Cayless recently extended their deals and look like being one-club men and that's something I would also like to do. But if that doesn't happen then I will have to look at all the options.

"Further down the track I might look at going overseas to England and travelling to see what their competition is like."

Vella's manager David Riolo, from Titan management group, said the Wigan approach had initially come last season but Vella had chosen to reject it.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

He should be in the Eels hall of fame, what a player.

 

[Stagger eel]

He should be in the Eels hall of fame, what a player.

do I detect a little sarcasm on that post?? ;-)

 

[fish eel]

at least he is acknowldgeing this:

Vella has admitted the quality of his football has suffered over the past two seasons

and

If I can improve my football this season and get back to where I was a couple of years ago then I would like to stay at Parramatta

 

[Mzilikazi]

Gee I bet you're all soooooooooooooo relieved about that. Where would you be without him? :roll:

The softest prop to play Origin football IMO.

 

[Jake the snake]

Gee I bet you're all soooooooooooooo relieved about that. Where would you be without him? :roll:

The softest prop to play Origin football IMO.

Can't argue with ya. But Manly forwards arn't that far off either.

 

[Stagger eel]

Gee I bet you're all soooooooooooooo relieved about that. Where would you be without him? :roll:

The softest prop to play Origin football IMO.

a Manly mate of mine would argue with you and say Phil Daley was!!!

 

[Eelementary]

There was a discussion on what makes a forward soft in a different thread.

Why was he soft? When he played Origin, he got SMASHED, but got right back up and kept playing.

I don't think that's soft.

Anyway, I hope for our sake he can regain his best form. And also for mine - I have a soft spot for Micky V. I like our juniors and want them to stay at Parra.

 

[The Engineers Room]

He is still a great player but his brain explosion tendencies worry me. I think he goes forward alright but he could be better.

 

[Utey]

:lol: :lol: Soft. He aint anywhere near it. His not one to lie down after a big hit. He will do us proud next year.

 

[True EEL]

sounds like his heart might be back into it and maybe his ego has deflated a little and he realises he has to perform to be given wraps these days

good to see

 

[Stagger eel]

as mentioned previously by Colonel, he could of taken the easy option and pocket the money and play for one of the richest rugby league clubs in the world, but he seems to have decided to throw down the gauntlet and re capture that old form, with the depth we have up front he's gonna need to knuckle down.

godd on him and good luck to him.

 

[Hellsy]

Now lets see what he does this year....

 

[cureme]

I don't think there are that many loyal players these days, like true clubmen, who choose club over $$$, so to hear him say he would like to be a 'one club player' is great. I know his form over the past 2 years has been ordinary, but we all know how damaging he can be on his day and judging by the interview he is looking to capture his form of a few years ago.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

8)

 

[bradeel]

no matter what you think of Vella's past form (and i agree its been fairly ordinary when we've needed him over the past 2 or 3 seasons) one thing is for sure. Its a contract renegotiation year and just like Mark Viduka in the round ball game, the promise of a new contract either at Parra or at an English club is sure to get Vella firing up to play some of his best footy again. And to be honest i don't care - that makes it win-win in 2005.