Berkeley_Eagle
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Cap won't fit Manly's wingers
Exclusive by Dean Ritchie | November 18, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24667155-5006066,00.html
Tough decision...Manly say wingers David Williams and Michael Robertson won't both fit under the salary cap. / The Daily Telegraph
PREMIERS Manly are preparing to make the gut-wrenching decision to sack one of their Grand Final wing heroes -David Williams or three-try standout Michael Robertson.
Salary cap restrictions will prevent the Sea Eagles from paying Williams and Robertson the $200,000 a season they are asking when their contracts expire.
"Wolfman" Williams - one of the great characters of Manly's run to the title - is on the verge of a call-up to Australia's World Cup final side and Robertson scored three tries in Manly's historic Grand Final win last month.
Yet in a decision that will come as a shock to the Sea Eagles faithful, it seems only one of the pair will be in maroon and white by 2010.
World Cup final: Williams on standby for injured Tate
Both wingers are off contract after next season and are asking for about $200,000 a season - a huge increase for Williams, now on a modest base salary of $50,000 plus bonuses.
Sources close to Manly say the club simply cannot afford to pay $400,000 for two wingers.
Williams and Robertson join Matt Orford, Heath L'Estrange and Glenn Hall as players coming off contract after 2009.
Player managers Steve Gillis, for Robertson, and David Riolo, for Williams, have already met Manly coach Des Hasler.
Gillis said the club had indicated they wanted to keep Robertson, who they see as a senior player.
"He can play fullback or wing and was close to winning the Clive Churchill Medal. I don't think he was too far away from selection in the Australian side. Michael is a marquee player."
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer was reluctant to discuss the chance that one of his star wingers could be lost to the club.
"No doubt we have some challenges ahead of us with the sal- ary cap," Mayer said. "We have had preliminary discussions with both managers.
"I'm sure in the next few weeks things will become a lot clearer. At this stage there is no firm offer on the table.
"Success on the field certainly complicates things for clubs.
"That is why it is very difficult for any club to win back-to-back premierships these days."
Williams was playing down his chances of replacing the injured Brent Tate against the Kiwis in Saturday's World Cup final.
"It's not the way you want to get a spot in the squad but that's football these days, it's probably the only way you usually get a spot," Williams said. "It's how I got a spot at the start of the season and if it happens, it happens."
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Exclusive by Dean Ritchie | November 18, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24667155-5006066,00.html
Tough decision...Manly say wingers David Williams and Michael Robertson won't both fit under the salary cap. / The Daily Telegraph
PREMIERS Manly are preparing to make the gut-wrenching decision to sack one of their Grand Final wing heroes -David Williams or three-try standout Michael Robertson.
Salary cap restrictions will prevent the Sea Eagles from paying Williams and Robertson the $200,000 a season they are asking when their contracts expire.
"Wolfman" Williams - one of the great characters of Manly's run to the title - is on the verge of a call-up to Australia's World Cup final side and Robertson scored three tries in Manly's historic Grand Final win last month.
Yet in a decision that will come as a shock to the Sea Eagles faithful, it seems only one of the pair will be in maroon and white by 2010.
World Cup final: Williams on standby for injured Tate
Both wingers are off contract after next season and are asking for about $200,000 a season - a huge increase for Williams, now on a modest base salary of $50,000 plus bonuses.
Sources close to Manly say the club simply cannot afford to pay $400,000 for two wingers.
Williams and Robertson join Matt Orford, Heath L'Estrange and Glenn Hall as players coming off contract after 2009.
Player managers Steve Gillis, for Robertson, and David Riolo, for Williams, have already met Manly coach Des Hasler.
Gillis said the club had indicated they wanted to keep Robertson, who they see as a senior player.
"He can play fullback or wing and was close to winning the Clive Churchill Medal. I don't think he was too far away from selection in the Australian side. Michael is a marquee player."
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer was reluctant to discuss the chance that one of his star wingers could be lost to the club.
"No doubt we have some challenges ahead of us with the sal- ary cap," Mayer said. "We have had preliminary discussions with both managers.
"I'm sure in the next few weeks things will become a lot clearer. At this stage there is no firm offer on the table.
"Success on the field certainly complicates things for clubs.
"That is why it is very difficult for any club to win back-to-back premierships these days."
Williams was playing down his chances of replacing the injured Brent Tate against the Kiwis in Saturday's World Cup final.
"It's not the way you want to get a spot in the squad but that's football these days, it's probably the only way you usually get a spot," Williams said. "It's how I got a spot at the start of the season and if it happens, it happens."
Source: The Daily Telegraph