Few Q&A from Ozzie's Blog

Hi Guys, i have got few questions and answers from Paul Osborne's Daily Telegraph blog, I thought you guys would be interested if incase you didn't read it.http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/nrlexperts/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/paul_osborne_talks_footy_finals/P0/Hey Ozzie!With Timana Tahu coming to the club, Justin Poore and Shakleton also coming in and Hayne ready to have his contract upgraded, the salary cap maybe stretched out a bit.What are you doing to keep players like Mortimer, Mateo and Inu from heading over the to the Bullcheats?Mike Smith of Preston (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (01:04am)Pretty close on Jarryd. Been talking to Daniel Mortimer’s manager about extending him and we’ll do our best on Feleti and Kris.They love playing here at the moment so I’m sure they’d prefer to live and train out here in God’s country than move anywhere else.HeyWhat’s the deal with signing Hayne? I hope he stays an eel!Seaney03 of Sydney (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (06:56am)I’m pretty sure we’ll be fine on that one buddy. Watch this space…Ozzy,Firstly thank the heavens you have come to the Eels club - people have crediting players form to the success of late but clearly you behind the wheel has got the club going in the right direction finally - Thankyou!Can i ask - Where will Grothe be there next year? And are you confident of keeping Mortimer?Sonny of Lawson (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (07:42am)Pretty good bloke steering the onfield bus I reckon. Very confident on Morts but not sure what Guru’s long term plans are although he’s signed for next year. He’s been great this year though and let’s hope he keeps it up.just wondering whether the club is looking to offload anyone for 2010, the rumours that Burt is off to the UK keep repeating?chris of pennant hills (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (08:54am)An offer was made to him but he wanted to stay. Hasn’t he been in great form lately.Hey Paul,I was wondering whether you’d consider bringing Tim Smith to the club as a back up half, he said he will play for 50k and that is a very good proce for talent like that. Everyone deserves a second chance?Also, you guys should sign up Karl Filiga to a part time contract at least, I have watched him play and the kid is unstoppable, only a matter of time before another club snaps him up.Go The eelsJohn of Parramatta (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (08:49am)We looked at Tim Smith but with the form of Daniel Mortimer, Jeff Robson and the return next year of Kris Keating we decided not to offer him anything. I hope he gets a chance and can turn his life around.Hi Ozzy,Any chance we could bring JT home to parra in some sort of role?Paul of Sydney (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (09:27am)Mate, I like JT but our Coaching ranks are full next year. He’s a good guy and he has one of the best Managers in Wayne Beavis looking after him, so I’m sure he’ll get another gig somewhere soon.G’day Paul,As a 28yr supporter of The Eels, I must say you are a refreshing change for the better. Just wondering if you (& Daniel Anderson) have decided if you will make J Thurston an offer to come to Parramatta.Cheers!Jigme of Robina (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (10:37am)More interested in keeping Hayne and Mortimer to be honest.Hi PaulFirstly I want to say welcome to the Parramatta club and conragts on doing a great job so far. Can I ask you about the persistent Feleti Mateo rumours to the dogs? this is really annoying me, we cant afford to lose him, let alone to the arch enemy which is the doggies.Is he going or staying? thanksCarlito (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (11:16am)He’s here next year for sure.Hi Paul,Firstly congratulations on the fantastic job that you have done since you were appointed as CEO, My questions are 1. Are you close to re-signing Daniel Mortimer? and 2. Will Parra have a new jersey design in 2010?turvey83 of sydney (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (12:03pm)We’ll have a great Heritage strip which we’ll play in a few times and will be changing both our logo and jumper for 2011Nathan Cayless has been copping some flack for hogging a large slice of the eels salary cap at the expense of younger players but in the last month or so he has been fantastic, from what I have seen it is something like career best form. He is leading from the front, his performances have played a big part in the Eels resurgence.Ralph Wiggum of Brisbane (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (12:13pm)Not paid as much as reported and playing much better than reported. A great leader and a great bloke.What’s happening with our backline next year? With Tahu coming back, which one of our current starting first grade backs do you think will be dropped to reserve grade? All of them are playing well, resulting in Ben Smith being shuffled into the 2nd row.It just seems like Parra has an abundance to top class backs in the squad, and as much as I like Tahu, is his $250K a year well spent given that you have not yet locked up Mortimer, Meteo and Hayne with long term contracts?Mick of Gold Coast (Reply)Fri 18 Sep 09 (12:33pm)I spoke to Timana today and asked him how he’d look in a Wentworthville Jersey!

"Luai inked what could ultimately be a $6 million, five-year deal but it's since emerged he has an option to leave the club after just two seasons. “He's got a clause next year that if he chooses he can pull out the following year, but he's shown no…"

"I think thats the problem. He is too good for NSW cup so we are trying to jut fit him into the NRL team somehow . But in reality he is not a 6 or a 9. Just a fullback right now. During the recent pre-season Papalii only spent time training with…"

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