Bulldogs make a play for Mateo

Typical Bulldogs....PARRAMATTA star Feleti Mateo has held secret talks with Bulldogs powerbrokers about walking away from the Eels with one year remaining on his contract.In a move that has ignited a war of words between two of the NRL's fiercest rivals, new Eels chief executive Paul Osbourne has accused the Bulldogs of trying to poach Parramatta's best talent.The Sunday Telegraph has learned the Bulldogs have made discreet inquiries about Mateo, centre Krisnan Inu and halfback Kris Keating, who are all under contract until October next year.It's understood Mateo, who is expected to return from a torn biceps in round 23, has met Bulldogs officials on three occasions in the past three months."The Bulldogs seem to be having a little bit of trouble in obviously developing their own juniors so they're eyeing off some of ours,'' Osbourne said.Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar..End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar."I've heard they were interested in Inu, I know they'd like Daniel Mortimer and I've heard the Feleti Mateo rumour. Maybe they should spend abit more time looking at theirown kids.''Sidelined since round 11, Mateo played under Bulldogs assistant coach Jim Dymock for Tonga during the World Cup last year.The Sunday Telegraph understands Mateo and coach Daniel Anderson do not see eye to eye, with the ball-playing lock interested in looking at a release.But the sticking point is Mateo's $275,000 contract.The Bulldogs would only be prepared to pay up to $225,000 for Mateo, meaning the Eels would have to stump up the other $50,000.Told the Bulldogs would want Parramatta to pay part of Mateo's contract if he was released, Osbourne said: "What a great idea. We pay the Bulldogs to take Feleti Mateo. I like Todd Greenberg, he's a great bloke, but I certainly look forward to having that conversation with him.''Bulldogs chief executive Greenberg said he was unaware of any meetings between Mateo and any Bulldogs officials, and stressed the Bulldogs were more interested in Krisnan Inu."I had a chat to Ossie about Krisnan but it was only on the basis that they were keen to put their hand in their pocket,'' Greenberg said. "The two names that have been floating around about us at Parramatta are Feleti and Krisnan but the one that's closer to the mark is Krisnan."I'm not aware of any meetings with Feleti but that's not to say that a board member might not have done something.''Mateo's agent, David Riolo, said he was unaware of any meetings between his client and the Bulldogs. "Maybe, but he's done it without my consent,'' Riolo said."I can honestly tell you I haven't had any discussions with anyone officially or unofficially. He might have met them as in someone was with someone doing something and he was introduced, but I would be amazed if it was an organised meeting.''Riolo then rang Mateo, who said someone had approached him at Parramatta's Albion Hotel on behalf of the Bulldogs.

Lets not be fooled by any of this. There is only one player the bulldogs want and it isn't Mateo, Inu or Keating. Imagine what it would be like for us watching a 2nd gen Sterling, Kenny or Price carve up for the dogs. Last week's match hurt that club from top to bottom and I dont think they rest til they have him at Belmore.
Unfortunately, this speculation will go on until the end of the year when our young 5/8th makes his decision. To me this is just blind-siding from the bulldogs so we are cornered into offering Mateo, Inu and Keating etc a little more than we thought we'd have to, which in turn gives the dogs a better shot at Mortimer. Parra management needs to play this chess match very carefully so we keep this squad intact.

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Replies

Adz Denden August 2, 2009 at 12:51am

The part i would be concerned with most if true is this :

The Sunday Telegraph understands Mateo and coach Daniel Anderson do not see eye to eye, with the ball-playing lock interested in looking at a release
cgee221 August 2, 2009 at 1:57am

Mateo isn't going anywhere at this stage....as Ozzy said, do the Bulldogs honestly think that we will pay them to have Mateo?? Btw...how much of a legend is Ozzy? :D Love the bloke!
anthony August 2, 2009 at 5:57am

this is a message to da dogs rack off
Andy August 2, 2009 at 7:27am

Dont belive the papers, I know for a fact that Feleti and Ando get on like a house on fire, and Feleti does not want to go anywhere, The only frustration from Feleti is that he feels he is ready to play and the Staff are saying no you have to wait.
Michael G August 2, 2009 at 8:23am

Ozzy is my fav player ever since his come in his done nothing wrong
I LOVE U OZZY
MaxZ/3iaGGiZ August 2, 2009 at 8:33am

Mateo once said he die for the parra jersey. Lets see him prove it.
Eelheart August 2, 2009 at 9:34am

shouldn't the bloody dogs pay the 250g to take Mateo???? they really got a good sense of humour
Jackso August 2, 2009 at 9:43am

The person that approached Mateo will no doubt be Jim Dymock - Mateo idolises him. It would cut me if he leaves. All my doggies fans mates would let me have it for a long time...

Also 1 eyedeel would need to change his banner...lol
Michael G August 2, 2009 at 9:57am

if Mateo goes i would be gutted i love Mateo and he would fit right in with the way the team is playing heaps of offloads
on the footy show a while back he said he grew up in the area and supported parra all his life and dreamed to play for only them and Mateo is a man of his word... i hope he is
SP August 2, 2009 at 10:35am

Lets not be fooled by any of this. There is only one player the bulldogs want and it isn't Mateo, Inu or Keating. Imagine what it would be like for us watching a 2nd gen Sterling, Kenny or Price carve up for the dogs. Last week's match hurt that club from top to bottom and I dont think they rest til they have him at Belmore.
Unfortunately, this speculation will go on until the end of the year when our young 5/8th makes his decision. To me this is just blind-siding from the bulldogs so we are cornered into offering Mateo, Inu and Keating etc a little more than we thought we'd have to, which in turn gives the dogs a better shot at Mortimer. Parra management needs to play this chess match very carefully so we keep this squad intact.

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