Canteen Worker
First Grader
July 11, 2005 - 4:35PM
Souths captain Ashley Harrison agreed to terms with the Sydney Roosters for a three-year NRL deal.
The Queensland Origin back-rower rejected offers from the Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers to play under NSW coach Ricky Stuart from next year.
Harrison's manager Chris Orr said the 24-year-old believed his football would best develop under the guidance of Stuart.
It's a bitter blow for the Rabbitohs, who are likely to miss out on the signatures of Bulldogs five-eighth Braith Anasta and Melbourne halfback Matt Orford.
"It basically came down to a personal decision relating to the future of his development," Orr said.
"He said all along to Souths he wanted to see what sort of players they attracted.
"He said it was sad to leave Souths but the Roosters offered him a chance to better develop his game overall, especially the representative side of it.
"He's taken less to go to the Roosters, as you'd expect, and he's happy with his decision."
Harrison is the ideal replacement for Roosters skipper and lock Luke Ricketson, who will retire at the end of this season.
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Bulldogs five-eighth Braith Anasta is expected to join Harrison at the Roosters but won't be making an announcement until later this week.
Souths captain Ashley Harrison agreed to terms with the Sydney Roosters for a three-year NRL deal.
The Queensland Origin back-rower rejected offers from the Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers to play under NSW coach Ricky Stuart from next year.
Harrison's manager Chris Orr said the 24-year-old believed his football would best develop under the guidance of Stuart.
It's a bitter blow for the Rabbitohs, who are likely to miss out on the signatures of Bulldogs five-eighth Braith Anasta and Melbourne halfback Matt Orford.
"It basically came down to a personal decision relating to the future of his development," Orr said.
"He said all along to Souths he wanted to see what sort of players they attracted.
"He said it was sad to leave Souths but the Roosters offered him a chance to better develop his game overall, especially the representative side of it.
"He's taken less to go to the Roosters, as you'd expect, and he's happy with his decision."
Harrison is the ideal replacement for Roosters skipper and lock Luke Ricketson, who will retire at the end of this season.
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Bulldogs five-eighth Braith Anasta is expected to join Harrison at the Roosters but won't be making an announcement until later this week.
