Ttminute ago
Parramatta star Corey Norman rejected a huge $3 million offer to switch to the UK Super League to stay and fight for his place at the struggling Parramatta Eels.
Norman knocked back a four-year contract worth around $615,000 a season to play for Huddersfield, who wanted him to fill a marquee spot.
Add to that a negotiated settlement from Parramatta worth a possible $600,000 and Norman could have pocketed a cool $3 million.
But despite being off contract after next season and remaining unsigned for 2020, Norman elected to stay with the wooden-spooners.
Corey Norman is showing some fight. Picture: AAPIt was a massive gamble for Norman, who just last year was being shopped around by Parramatta.
The star halfback had been heavily criticised for performances many believe don’t fit the money the Eels are paying him, which is thought to be between $800,000 and $900,000 a season.
“All the indications are that he has taken up the fight and the challenge,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said.
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“It’s not so much about proving the doubters wrong, he wants to make sure he gets it right for his teammates.
“Corey still has plenty to offer this competition — that’s the attitude he’s got.
“He wants to get it right, he knows he’s a footballer.”
Reminded that Norman had knocked back big money from Huddersfield, Arthur said: “He did, especially when he was at the crossroads.
“I can only see that as positive, that he still backs himself.
Corey Norman is unsigned for the 2020 season. Picture: Getty“It’s a known fact Corey likes playing for our club and he has expressed his desire to want to stay.
“All the evidence at the moment is that he’s committed to having a big season for his teammates.”
Norman also wanted to stay in Australia because his family is based in Brisbane and he is involved in shirt business YKTR with fellow NRL players Issac John and James Segeyaro.
But he will have a battle on his hands to win another contract at Parramatta.
The club has two young emerging halves in Jaeman Salmon and Dylan Brown, with the latter being linked with the Warriors as a replacement for Shaun Johnson.
Norman’s halves partner Mitchell Moses is also off contract after next season.
Whether one or both are re-signed will depend on their early form next year.
Parramatta have 16 players off contract after next season.
“It’s a big year for everyone involved, for all of us,” Arthur said. “We all have to prove ourselves.
The spotlight will be on Mitchell Moses and Norman in 2019. Picture: AAP“We need to bite down on the bit and work hard. We worked hard last season but we’ve got to work hard together.
“There’s not one person that can solve it and do it on their own. We’ve got to come together. We didn’t get it right last season but we need to get it right next season. It’s that simple.”
Arthur has been delighted with Norman’s efforts in off-season training.
Replies
This shows clearly Norman is on drugs.....silly boy
Props to Corey here, good to see he is backing himself to fight for his spot and prove his value to the club, he’s settled in Sydney and he’s got a lot of his mates at our club, I am sure if he gets a choice Parramatta will be the place for him. The comments from BA can only mean positives things. If Corey knuckles down and gets the combo going with Mitch again and of course we win games I’ve got no issues with both staying beyond 2019.
Corey’s decision here can only mean good things.
Norman has had his opportunity to fight for the Eels for years, and has frequently been found wanting. This, to me, is more about Norman playing for his NRL future. Most players know going to the UK often means saying "goodbye" to the NRL for good. It's incredibly hard to break back into the NRL.
Norman has had years to show his maturity and professionalism. I'd love to believe this is a turning point, but I think it's more Norman attempting to do what's best for Norman. I don't care how we go next season, Normans ship has sailed. He may not be ready to give up on the NRL, but as an Eels fan my patience for Norman expired a long time ago.
I'm not typically negative, I've tried hard to give Norman the benefit of the doubt, but watching how he goes missing so often in games that matter is too frustrating to continue.
^ THIS ^
I might agree with you if the money he's leaving on the table wasn't significant, but if he was really only looking after Corey he'd take the guaranteed money from Huddersfield.
I'm willing to give him to round 5 to show some attitude / involvement improvement.
Maybe I'm a sucker, but would like to see him play well. At his best, he creates opportunities for the wide men and his kicking game close to the tryline is very accurate.
Good if showed as much fight playing for the Eels
Hopefully his show of commitment translate onto the field. If not he should have just taken the money and run.
He has been asked to leave the club, he has been told to leave the club, he has been offered 2.5million plus severance pay to leave and for god sake we still can't get rid of him. I really really hope he is past his white line fever days and his silly brooding moods and his decision to stay is the considered opinion of a grown up and not the petulant child that was too scared to move away. One can only hope we see the boy become a man next year for all our sakes as supporters.
Because he doesn’t want to leave. He wants to fight for his spot, not just walk away and give up.
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