Hard to get hold of … Sonny Bill Williams at his bustling best for former NRL club the Bulldogs against potential new side Parramatta. Photo: Tim Clayton
PARRAMATTA have made an audacious bid to sign Sonny Bill Williams to ensure there's a fitting replacement to fill Nathan Hindmarsh's No.11 jersey.
And in another stunning development at the embattled club, Ray Price has emerged as a key player in the decision not to appoint Jason Taylor as assistant coach.
Williams has been strongly linked to the Sydney Roosters and his signing with the Bondi Junction club has been considered by many to be a fait accompli. However, The Sun-Herald can reveal the Eels are preparing a late and lucrative offer in the hope of getting under the guard of the Roosters and other potential suitors. In a further hint that a deal with the Roosters isn't done, the Tricolours have recently re-signed forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Aidan Guerra and Tinirau Arona.
Williams's manager, Khoder Nasser, has assured Eels officials no deal has been struck elsewhere.
Parramatta powerbrokers initially baulked at the All Blacks star's exorbitant asking price, believed to be about $1 million, when they made inquiries about his services. However, they believe the money they had put aside to recruit Manly and Australian forward Tony Williams could be better spent on his code-crossing namesake. As revealed by the Herald two weeks ago, SBW has a massive offer from Japanese rugby union powerhouse Panasonic Wild Knights, believed to be $1.5m a season.
If he were to return to the NRL with the Eels, it would create unprecedented hype next year when they take on their traditional rivals Canterbury, the club where Williams made his name before controversially leaving the club in 2008. Parra are also in the hunt for Manly forward Darcy Lussick but their position at the foot of the ladder isn't aiding their recruitment ambitions.
The Eels have money to spend, with Luke Burt expected to follow Nathan Hindmarsh into retirement. Other off-contract players including Justin Poore, Ben Smith and Shane Shackleton are highly unlikely to be offered another deal.
Kearney, also the Kiwis coach, has a good relationship with Sonny Bill Williams and the pair have kept in contact regarding an NRL return.
While the former Bulldog would provide the strike power the side has been missing, the Eels believe his signature would also be a marketing coup. Officials believe that memberships and crowd figures would rise as fans flock to see his return to league.
One of the potential sticking points is that Nasser is not an accredited NRL agent and the next manager intake won't happen until later in the year. Meanwhile, the deal to bring Taylor to the club was aborted at the last minute after Price rang several directors last weekend. Kearney has said from the outset he wanted autonomy over football operations and Price suggested that officials shouldn't impose assistance Kearney didn't want. However, it means that Kearney will have no excuses - and can't accuse directors of meddling - if he can't turn the season around.
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Hard to get hold of … Sonny Bill Williams at his bustling best for former NRL club the Bulldogs against potential new side Parramatta. Photo: Tim Clayton
PARRAMATTA have made an audacious bid to sign Sonny Bill Williams to ensure there's a fitting replacement to fill Nathan Hindmarsh's No.11 jersey.And in another stunning development at the embattled club, Ray Price has emerged as a key player in the decision not to appoint Jason Taylor as assistant coach.Williams has been strongly linked to the Sydney Roosters and his signing with the Bondi Junction club has been considered by many to be a fait accompli. However, The Sun-Herald can reveal the Eels are preparing a late and lucrative offer in the hope of getting under the guard of the Roosters and other potential suitors. In a further hint that a deal with the Roosters isn't done, the Tricolours have recently re-signed forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Aidan Guerra and Tinirau Arona.Advertisement
Williams's manager, Khoder Nasser, has assured Eels officials no deal has been struck elsewhere.Parramatta powerbrokers initially baulked at the All Blacks star's exorbitant asking price, believed to be about $1 million, when they made inquiries about his services. However, they believe the money they had put aside to recruit Manly and Australian forward Tony Williams could be better spent on his code-crossing namesake. As revealed by the Herald two weeks ago, SBW has a massive offer from Japanese rugby union powerhouse Panasonic Wild Knights, believed to be $1.5m a season.If he were to return to the NRL with the Eels, it would create unprecedented hype next year when they take on their traditional rivals Canterbury, the club where Williams made his name before controversially leaving the club in 2008. Parra are also in the hunt for Manly forward Darcy Lussick but their position at the foot of the ladder isn't aiding their recruitment ambitions.The Eels have money to spend, with Luke Burt expected to follow Nathan Hindmarsh into retirement. Other off-contract players including Justin Poore, Ben Smith and Shane Shackleton are highly unlikely to be offered another deal.Kearney, also the Kiwis coach, has a good relationship with Sonny Bill Williams and the pair have kept in contact regarding an NRL return.While the former Bulldog would provide the strike power the side has been missing, the Eels believe his signature would also be a marketing coup. Officials believe that memberships and crowd figures would rise as fans flock to see his return to league.One of the potential sticking points is that Nasser is not an accredited NRL agent and the next manager intake won't happen until later in the year. Meanwhile, the deal to bring Taylor to the club was aborted at the last minute after Price rang several directors last weekend. Kearney has said from the outset he wanted autonomy over football operations and Price suggested that officials shouldn't impose assistance Kearney didn't want. However, it means that Kearney will have no excuses - and can't accuse directors of meddling - if he can't turn the season around.
thanx coco !!
are they selling 2013 memberhips early?
One being SBW and other hinchliffe ? Or maybe another
And we all know that sbw won't sign, so in the end, they will end up with their dicks in their hands
stiffler you are spot on the money
What Dick's.....?
Aren't They Impotent in the Recruitment and Retention Area ?
We don't even know if he going to be up to a come back after so long at union.
Don't get me wrong I think he was/probably still is a good player but for that money you could get 2-3 really good younger guys.
He would be good for marketing, but he chews up a lot of cap in the meantime.
PLEASE NO SBW!! If we already have a suspected 'culture' problem at the club, why sign a player who has a chip on their shoulder the size of Texas? With Mundine and Nasser as his advisors, I don't want him anywhere near our club. He's poison in my opinion.
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