Widders to leave Eels
June 18, 2006
PARRAMATTA super sub Dean Widders has revealed he has been squeezed out of the NRL club, with South Sydney firming as his most likely destination for next season.
Widders, off contract at the end of this year, said he would have liked to extend his five-year stay with the Eels but the parties couldn't agree to financial terms. "It's been made pretty clear they won't be able to keep me," Widders said.
"It's disappointing but I'll be forced to look around.
"We relayed the figure we were trying to get but the club just couldn't come up with it.
"It's understandable, but it's disappointing.
"I've been here for five years and I was trying to squeeze out another two or three to finish off here but it wasn't to be.
"There's a lot of good young footballers at this club, like Jarryd Hayne and Brett Delaney, and they are probably looking at them more than me.
"They haven't (given permission to negotiate with other clubs) yet but that would be the next step."
Widders has been targeted by the Rabbitohs, although no official approach has yet been made. The 26-year-old said the prospect of joining good friend David Peachey there next year as well as being a mentor to the promising Aboriginal players coming through their ranks was an appealing one.
"Definitely, there are a lot of people that play there that I know," he said.
"David Peachey has made a big impact since he got there as well.
"I don't know if he's playing there next year but if he's there and I go there there's a lot we can do.
"We're really good mates, we're all good mates with the Aboriginal players playing the game.
"I hear they are interested in me and I reckon it would be an exciting time to go there, with the changes that have been made."
Meanwhile, Parramatta five-eighth John Morris said he was also keen to remain at the club but feared he was unwanted for next season.
Morris, who has been targeted as a replacement for departing Wests Tigers halfback Scott Prince, has been given permission to negotiate with other clubs.
"I'm really keen to stay but they obviously have some other things up their sleeve they are looking at," Morris said.
"I'm willing to sign a deal if there was one on the table but there isn't one, so I need to look around.
"It's been a bit difficult with the new coach coming in. The communication hasn't been great with the players and coaches as far as retention is going, it's been difficult.
"I've been left out in the cold at this stage and it's a bit disappointing."
The Eels are still hopeful of signing Jamie Lyon, although the move appears unlikely after the former Kangaroo opted to test his value on the open market.
