Jimmy Brings: Panthers turn up heat on Sterphen Crichton in contract twist; Foxx flip exposes Wests Tigers mess
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d88cad6d1a49137f18fe8b56ba3219dd?width=400 400w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d88cad6d1a49137f18fe8b56ba3219dd?width=480 480w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d88cad6d1a49137f18fe8b56ba3219dd?width=650 650w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d88cad6d1a49137f18fe8b56ba3219dd?width=700 700w" alt="The Panthers are turning up the heat on Stephen Crichton." />The Panthers are turning up the heat on Stephen Crichton.Source: Getty ImagesThe Stephen Crichton situation at grand finalists Penrith is getting more intriguing by the day.
The Panthers have been heaping the pressure on for Crichton to sign a new deal, including inside the NSW Origin camp.
Crichton has recently left his agent and is believed to be positioning to sign with a UFC agent who is also a relative.
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The Panthers keep trying to reference a “handshake agreement” between Crichton and coach Ivan Cleary from midway through this year.
The Wests Tigers had a good laugh at that one.
Where it gets even more interesting is Crichton is currently in the NSW Blues 27-man squad in camp on the Central Coast.
The Panthers have offered the 20-year-old an upgraded deal for next year, 2022, 2023 and 2024 worth around the $1.9 million mark.
But now the November 1 deadline has passed some at the club are getting nervous.
By rights, rival clubs can now sign Crichton for 2022 and beyond.
The Panthers remain confident of retaining Crichton but have ramped things up in the last week.
The other element in the equation is Crichton’s left edge wing partner Josh Mansour.
These two are very close and plenty of players at the Panthers have been surprised by the way the club tapped the popular winger on the shoulder.
KNIGHTS LATEST TO TAP INTO ALL BLACKS AURA
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/986bb3bc83449caaef8e09ab173575ac?width=400 400w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/986bb3bc83449caaef8e09ab173575ac?width=480 480w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/986bb3bc83449caaef8e09ab173575ac?width=650 650w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/986bb3bc83449caaef8e09ab173575ac?width=700 700w" alt="Dan Carter (right), addressed the Knights playing group." />Dan Carter (right), addressed the Knights playing group.Source: Getty ImagesThe Newcastle Knights are the latest NRL club to tap into one of the world’s premier sporting brands by utilising the expertise of All Blacks champion Dan Carter.
Coach Adam O’Brien is a huge fan of Carter and arranged for the All Blacks legend to speak to the entire Knights playing group via Zoom earlier this year.
The Bulldogs have also raided the All Blacks ranks recently by signing two-time World Cup winning coach Steve Hansen.
Given the All Blacks are one of the world’s most successful sporting teams, it’s a smart play.
The Knights are also believed to be close to signing the teenage nephew of Canberra Raiders captain Josh Hodgson.
Bailey Hodgson is a young gun fullback in the UK who is currently signed with Castleford Tigers in the Super League.
LIONHEARTED BOYD HAS EARNED THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE CALL
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/551c021355a2175fddf4ccab9b3b4b96?width=400 400w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/551c021355a2175fddf4ccab9b3b4b96?width=480 480w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/551c021355a2175fddf4ccab9b3b4b96?width=650 650w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/551c021355a2175fddf4ccab9b3b4b96?width=700 700w" alt="Boyd Cordner’s latest head knock has raised concerns over his future" />Boyd Cordner’s latest head knock has raised concerns over his futureSource: News Corp AustraliaEveryone in the game of rugby league wants the best for Boyd Cordner.
The Sydney Roosters, NSW and Australian captain has been an absolute warrior for the past 10 years in the NRL and has achieved everything possible in rugby league.
Cordner’s performance in a beaten NSW side after being forced off for an HIA in Origin I underlines just what a lion-hearted champion he is.
Given all the injuries he’s endured over the last decade Cordner will undoubtedly go down as one of the NRL’s bravest and most resilient players.
At 28, Cordner still has three years to go on his current Sydney Roosters contract.
The best thing Cordner can do at the end of this COVID interrupted season is have a good holiday.
Get out of the bubble, get to the beach, enjoy a cold beer.
The champion backrower has more than earned the right to listen to all the medical experts and make an informed judgment on his future.
With three premierships, 20 Tests for Australia and 16 State of Origin caps, it’s one hell of a resume.
Cordner is so well liked and respected there’s no doubt whatever he decides he’ll remain involved in the game.
ADDO-CARR BACKFLIP IS MORE EMBARRASSMENT FOR TIGERS
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/a049e63c41cf0a9b73118ca7a3973540?width=400 400w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/a049e63c41cf0a9b73118ca7a3973540?width=480 480w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/a049e63c41cf0a9b73118ca7a3973540?width=650 650w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/a049e63c41cf0a9b73118ca7a3973540?width=700 700w" alt="NSW's Josh Addo-Carr’s future has been a hot topic of debate in 2020." />NSW's Josh Addo-Carr’s future has been a hot topic of debate in 2020.Source: News Corp AustraliaThe Wests Tigers have still got major issues in the area of recruitment with the Josh Addo-Carr heads of agreement the latest example.
The Tigers have got Addo-Carr’s signature of a piece of paper saying if he’s not at the Melbourne Storm in 2021 he’ll be at Concord for the next four years.
In theory, it’s a smart move.
Reading between the lines, Addo-Carr doesn’t want to go to the Tigers and now appears certain to remain at Melbourne.
The Storm will upgrade his $375,000 contract and away they go.
That will then pave the way for the likes of Canterbury-Bankstown or another club to try and sign the NSW and Australian winger for 2022 and beyond.
Along with Blues captain Boyd Cordner, Addo-Carr was among NSW’s best in State of Origin I and had a whale of a game in the Storm’s grand final victory.
PANTHERS LAY BURTON CARDS ON THE TABLE
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/0025701e5ed8794f5789e61c1d8842a6?width=400 400w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/0025701e5ed8794f5789e61c1d8842a6?width=480 480w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/0025701e5ed8794f5789e61c1d8842a6?width=650 650w, https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/0025701e5ed8794f5789e61c1d8842a6?width=700 700w" alt="Penrith still hold out hopes of retaining Matt Burton." />Penrith still hold out hopes of retaining Matt Burton.Source: Getty ImagesTHE Penrith Panthers have told young gun Matt Burton they plan to play him in the centres or the backrow next season to get him into the NRL.
The Bulldogs are still very much at the negotiating table for 2022 and 2023 and will play Burton in his preferred position of five-eighth.
Burton debuted for the Panthers last year and impressed everyone with how strong and mature he looked in the NRL.
A country boy from Dubbo, Burton only got limited game time with the Panthers this year making five NRL appearances, three from the interchange bench.
It’s a big decision for Burton. The Panthers don’t want to lose him but does he want to play out of position?
Or go to the Bulldogs where he’s been guaranteed a starting spot in the no.6 jumper.
KNIGHTS ROCKED BY COWBOYS U-TURN
THE Newcastle Knights thought they had young gun half Jake Clifford over the line on a three-year deal to head to the Hunter and play alongside Mitchell Pearce.
Clifford was told he was free to go and join another club but the Cowboys have now had a change of heart and Clifford will remain in Townsville – for now.
With new coach Todd Payten getting his feet under the desk the Cowboys have since changed positions and now want the playmaker to stay for the final year of his contract.
Clifford has played 35 NRL games over the course of the last three seasons since making his debut in 2018.
Replies
How the fcuk is JAC on $375k a year and who in their right mind would knock back double that amount? I call BS.
When they signed him from the Tigers he was an underachieving nobody who had been sacked by two clubs already. He only played 10 NRL games before Melbourne signed him. Melbourne never overpay.
He clearly has no desire to play for the Tigers, they're not a destination club.
LOL! Agreed
LOL sorry
It was exciting as a night at kens and finding out Snake was in the Gimp suit.
And Keary becomes the fall guy for a diabolical perfomenace from Cleary.
I think Freddy must have a speech impediment and mispronounced the name.
Freddy should be sacked immediately IF people are talking contracts to his players in camp.
So should the people (Cleary?) who are talking to him.
Hopefully Denis Leary isn't announced for game 2 .