we should secure T Smith and palm the cows off Witty

[GAME FIRST]

NOW THAT THE ORFORD SAGA HAS FINISHED AND HE HAS MADE AN EXTRA 100K IN 2 WEEKS- WE SHOULD STICK WITH OUR OWN TALENT AS THERE ARE NOW AVAILABLE HALFBACK STANDOUTS

M Witt has been contacted by third parties to see if he wants to return to queensland and play with the Cowboys of all teams - they would love to have him but we have to be careful in that if Smithy thinks he is good enough then he must remain in firsts otherwise release him and get someone who can play firsts

I think he has great poise,calmness and class to develop nicely so Smithy should let it be and stop making him learn in premier league and accelerate his learning curve in firsts where he will improve faster

Short term pain for long term gain- Smithy get it right and give him confidence so he will like to stay with us and enjoy it!

 

[Pazza]

I would like to keep Witt for depth.

 

[Phillips]

Witt is the best half we have at the moment...he is our future, cant beleive when he was not playing first grade everyone was crying saying he should be in firsts...but now that he is its seems people want to piss him off and have a jersey flegg/premier league half playing first grade #-o

 

[Eels Dude]

I think he has great poise,calmness and class to develop nicely so Smithy should let it be and stop making him learn in premier league and accelerate his learning curve in firsts where he will improve faster

Short term pain for long term gain- Smithy get it right and give him confidence so he will like to stay with us and enjoy it!

He's in first grade at the moment, what more do you want?

 

[GAME FIRST]

To stay there Eels Dude- PERMANENTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Eels Dude]

Well if he keeps performing he's gonna stay there, it's up to him, and I hope he does so.

 

[GAME FIRST]

In case you didnt notice he also performed last year -about 10 games in fact- and yet is overlooked for this years start!

 

[WA Eel]

OK, I don't live in Sydney anymore so am not privy to a lot of the rumours. However, I don't understand where all the rumours about Michael Witt wanting to leave / being released by the club are coming from. To me, it doesn't seem logical to sign a player up for 4 years, then release him 1 year into the contract.

I'd appreciate any enlightenment which anyone can offer on the matter.

 

[Eels Dude]

It's a long time between the end of last year and the start of this year. There's no point in being critical of that fact, what's done is done. He's in first grade now, that's what matters.

 

[Hurriflatch]

I think it'll come down to what Dykes does or for that matter what Parra do with Dykes.

I can't see Parra keeping Dykes, Witt, Smith and Thorman next year, especially now that Riddell has been signed and that has promoted a shift by Morris to the #6.

Two of those players (Witt & Dykes) are under contract
THere is an option on Thorman's deal
and T.Smith is unsigned.

Unless there is a disaster with T.Smith, Dykes & Witt then honestly Thorman being an Eel in 2005 will surprise me.

I'm really hoping Tim Smith gets signed quickly.

Dykes leaving makes more sense to me he would free up more room under the cap then Witt would.

 

[Eels Dude]

Witt is also a player for the future, who Parramatta signed long term last year. I think Smith knows deep down that buying Dykes was a mistake, however if he were to be released then a significant payout would be necessary, I cannot see any club offering him anyway near 300k.

 

[Hurriflatch]

Well this year Dykes payout will be for 2005 only.

Whereas if they had tried to pay him out in 2003 they would have had to pay out 2 years.

 

[Hurriflatch]

Or is Dykes signed till the end of 2006

either way it is one year less of a payout

 

[strider]

nah - i'm pretty sure dykes is only contracted till the end of 2005....he signed a 4 yr deal for 02,03,04,05.....i'm pretty damn sure it wasn't a 5 yr deal

 

[Hurriflatch]

yeah, it was a 4 year deal

I just can't count

 

[Hurriflatch]

That really makes you think Dykes has already been here for 3 years, don't think he has played 25 top grade ganes for Parra yet tho