By James Hooper
July 6, 2005
MANLY has launched an audacious last ditch raid on halfback dynamo Matt Orford - attempting to lure the star playmaker away from a $2 million offer from South Sydney.
In a move that means recently re-signed captain Michael Monaghan may have to move to the hooking role, Manly highlighted Orford as there No.1 target in a bid to smash a 10-season premiership drought.
Newly appointed Sea Eagles chief executive Pat Wilson last night confirmed the northern peninsula outfit have approached former City halfback Orford - in a deal The Daily Telegraph understands is over three years.
The move contradicts a major offer from South Sydney - who are also looking to attract star Melbourne centre Steve Bell.
Current captain and Manly halfback Monaghan has expressed surprise at the development - a move that may mean a positional switch to hooker - just four weeks after an on-going saga over his new contract.
"People are talking about me asking for a release but that is certainly not the case, I've only just signed a new contract," Monaghan said.
"What it may mean is a change of position for me if they sign Matt (Orford) but I'm not sure if that is what Des (Hasler) is looking at me as.
"It's certainly not what I am thinking.
"Last time I spoke to the club they said they weren't chasing a halfback.
"It is a surprise for me because they weren't chasing a halfback but obviously they aren't happy with the hookers at the club at the moment.
"I can understand the sponsors and the club board wanting to win a premiership so maybe they want to re-asses what they want in a halfback and a hooker.
"That might give them a better chance to win a premiership so I can't be critical of the club and the sponsors."
Manly chief executive Pat Wilson last night confirmed the Sea Eagles had offered Orford a contract - with The Daily Telegraph understanding it is a three-year deal.
"We have made an offer to Matt (Orford) but we're waiting for his manger to come back to us," Wilson said. "We hope it will be sooner rather than later - we have been having discussions in relation to a number of players."
In other signing news yesterday, Wests Tigers secured rising Sharks forward Keith Galloway for a three-year deal worth $650,000.
The Sharks forward rejected an offer from South Sydney to link with the Tigers as a back-rower, with the joint venture also recently signing former New South Wales Origin forward Ryan O'Hara.
Canberra have also signed promising Brisbane Broncos forward Tom Learyod-Lahrs - on a massive deal worth $880,000 over four years.
The Daily Telegraph
July 6, 2005
MANLY has launched an audacious last ditch raid on halfback dynamo Matt Orford - attempting to lure the star playmaker away from a $2 million offer from South Sydney.
In a move that means recently re-signed captain Michael Monaghan may have to move to the hooking role, Manly highlighted Orford as there No.1 target in a bid to smash a 10-season premiership drought.
Newly appointed Sea Eagles chief executive Pat Wilson last night confirmed the northern peninsula outfit have approached former City halfback Orford - in a deal The Daily Telegraph understands is over three years.
The move contradicts a major offer from South Sydney - who are also looking to attract star Melbourne centre Steve Bell.
Current captain and Manly halfback Monaghan has expressed surprise at the development - a move that may mean a positional switch to hooker - just four weeks after an on-going saga over his new contract.
"People are talking about me asking for a release but that is certainly not the case, I've only just signed a new contract," Monaghan said.
"What it may mean is a change of position for me if they sign Matt (Orford) but I'm not sure if that is what Des (Hasler) is looking at me as.
"It's certainly not what I am thinking.
"Last time I spoke to the club they said they weren't chasing a halfback.
"It is a surprise for me because they weren't chasing a halfback but obviously they aren't happy with the hookers at the club at the moment.
"I can understand the sponsors and the club board wanting to win a premiership so maybe they want to re-asses what they want in a halfback and a hooker.
"That might give them a better chance to win a premiership so I can't be critical of the club and the sponsors."
Manly chief executive Pat Wilson last night confirmed the Sea Eagles had offered Orford a contract - with The Daily Telegraph understanding it is a three-year deal.
"We have made an offer to Matt (Orford) but we're waiting for his manger to come back to us," Wilson said. "We hope it will be sooner rather than later - we have been having discussions in relation to a number of players."
In other signing news yesterday, Wests Tigers secured rising Sharks forward Keith Galloway for a three-year deal worth $650,000.
The Sharks forward rejected an offer from South Sydney to link with the Tigers as a back-rower, with the joint venture also recently signing former New South Wales Origin forward Ryan O'Hara.
Canberra have also signed promising Brisbane Broncos forward Tom Learyod-Lahrs - on a massive deal worth $880,000 over four years.
The Daily Telegraph
