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Berkeley_Eagle

Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
Finch set to spread wings

Andrew Webster and Brad Walter | April 14, 2008

PARRAMATTA playmaker Brett Finch will open negotiations with rival NRL clubs by the end of the week, with the Eels yet to make an offer to keep him beyond this season.

Until now, Finch has refused to speak with interested clubs because of his preference to remain under coach Michael Hagan at Parramatta.

But the chances of him staying are fast evaporating, with Eels football manager Andrew Hill confirming last night that the 25-year-old should not expect an offer this week.

"We can't afford to wait any longer," said Finch's manager, Steve Gillis, when told of Hill's remarks. "We have made a concerted effort to negotiate first and foremost with Parramatta, and we haven't spoken to any clubs who have approached Brett for that reason.

"We would expect to see an offer within a fortnight - but we are going to have to start talking to other clubs by the end of the week. Time's running out."

Parramatta are struggling to find enough room under their salary cap for Finch, who was the players' player in the Eels' loss to the Gold Coast on Friday night and one of the favourites to play halfback for NSW in the State of Origin series. He could command as much as $350,000 per season on the open market because of the dearth of off-contract playmakers.

One solution is releasing hooker Mark Riddell from the final year of his contract so he can play in the UK Super League after this season.

Riddell has already had discussions with Wigan, while Celtic Crusaders, who are hopeful of inclusion in next year's Super League, have expressed an interest.

But with no firm offer on the table, Riddell hasn't asked Parramatta for a release.

"It's a matter of what Brett wants to do. It's up to him whether he stays," Hill said. "There's no doubt that there is going to be interest in him from other clubs. If there's an offer too good to refuse and he wants to take it, that's his decision. A few things have to happen before we can put an offer on the table."

Gillis refused to disclose which NRL clubs are interested in Finch, although it is understood Manly are not one of them - despite their desperate need for a five-eighth to partner Matt Orford.

The Sea Eagles are also expected to sign Roosters lock Anthony Tupou to a $1.62 million deal, possibly as soon as this week.

The Bulldogs have room to move under their salary cap and are believed to be eyeing other halfbacks, with Daniel Holdsworth out of favour with some at the club because of a belief he doesn't run the ball frequently enough.

The Panthers are also on the lookout for a playmaker after missing out on Raiders halfback Todd Carney.

Whether the Dragons pursue Finch will depend on whether international centre Matt Cooper decides to stay and play under Wayne Bennett next season. The Dragons' hopes of retaining Cooper are likely to depend on talks this week with Bennett.

Cooper, who is considering lucrative offers from the Bulldogs and Wigan, is building a house in Wollongong and recently opened a cafe at Dapto with teammate Simon Woolford.

With Bennett last week meeting Dragons recruitment manager Craig Young for the first time since being appointed, Cooper said discussions about his role under the six-times premiership mentor would help decide his future. "I'm going to have to have a chat to him before I make any decision - it's something I'm going to have to do in the next few days." Cooper told AAP. "Hopefully it works out and I get to stay. I'd love to stay, I'm comfortable here."

After finally confirming the promotion of assistant coach Kevin Moore to the top job at a press conference today, the Bulldogs will begin focusing on signing new players, with Cooper and Storm prop Jeff Lima heading their list of targets.

Should Cooper leave, the Dragons seem to have a readymade replacement in 18-year-old Arncliffe junior Dean Whare, who scored three tries in the NYC team's 20-18 win over North Queensland on Saturday.
 
I'd take him.

To be completly honest, I don't think theirs any better potential 5/8th on the market at the moment and its clear as day that we need a very quick fix to our halves problem.
 
"The Sea Eagles are also expected to sign Roosters lock Anthony Tupou to a $1.62 million deal, possibly as soon as this week."

I thought he was staying at Easts ?
 
That was just Mata saying he was staying. It is still being negotiating.

I'd take Finch but looks like we aren't interested. I'd pay 500k a year to get Monoghan back.
 
I wouldn't pay a dollar for Monaghan. I would look for a five-eighth. A player like Mateo or Sutton is what I would be looking for, someone who complements Orford but is a running ball-player.
 
Canteen Worker link said:
I wouldn't pay a dollar for Monaghan. I would look for a five-eighth. A player like Mateo or Sutton is what I would be looking for, someone who complements Orford but is a running ball-player.

What about Wells Canteen?
Would be cheap as?
Maybe Des could take a shot.
 
What are peoples thoughts on Chris Bailey ?

Every time i have seen him over the past 2-3 years when he gets a go for Newcastle, he always offers up a play that has a bit of class attached to it. Doesn't seem to ever get a good run with the knights
 
How about Lance Hohaia, once Wade McKinnon gets back for the warriors he will pretty much become a spare part.  Seem to remember last year, Ivan refusing to pick Lance for a while, so dont know that they really see eye to eye either??
 
Lance won't go anywhere, if he was going too he would have last year, but signed a new contract

Unbeleivable, Storm and Dragons have been linked to Finch. How the Storm could get im i will never know
 
I don't see why we cant go for decent 5/8 like Jamie Soward who is off contract other than go all out for a top off the line one, Finch would be good but he would cost to much money for value i would pay $250k not $350k+.

I thought Toupo stated that he wasn't leaving Easts in a few news reports i read, but you cant really trust the media so i do not get my hoped up about much these days unless its official.
 
Finch is crap, as is Sutton.  Look at ESL for a ball playing 5/8 or develop one within our own camp.  Soward maybe, but on a limited contract.  Funny how St George players always seem to blossom once leaving. 
 
Players that might be available and I wouldn't mind giving a shot outside Ox would be: Josh Lewis, Jamie Soward, Richie Williams (if he shuts his mouth) or Chris Bailey.

They are all young and apart from Soward are struggling to cement a spot in their teams. Travis Burns is out of favour up North...........
 
Of those four I'd only really been keen to look at Lewis.

What has happened to him anyway? He's completely off the radar...

I've never been a fan of Soward since he came into first grade. He looked amazing in Flegg, but I've never been convinced that he'll be a genuine first grader.
 
I would love to have Soward in our team
 
Nutzcraw link said:
Have you been watching the dragons, will??

He has been their best.

I have been watching the Dragons, yes. They have been diabolical this year, and Soward has been erratic at best for them.

He tries hard but I'm no longer sold on his talent. He's quite quick, has the potential to pull out a good individual play and posseses a decent kicking game (actually quite a good long kicking game) but that is it - look at how disorganised the Dragons attack is. It's woeful. That rests on the shoulders of Soward and Chase (who is actually worse than Soward in that he has absolutely no idea what is going on during the game...he just does his own thing and doesn't care if it suits the team or not).

If he played for Manly Soward would be absolutely hammered every week on here for his inconsistencies and inadequacies.
 
Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
4 3 1 28 6
3 2 1 10 6
4 2 2 39 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
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