April 21st, 2010
PARRAMATTA five-eighth Kris Keating yesterday all but ended speculation he could join North Queensland in 2011.
Instead his only plans for the Cowboys are to help bring them down on Friday night.
The Townsville-based club late last month were reported to have made an expression of interest in the off-contract Eel as they await an answer on the future of superstar Johnathan Thurston.
Canterbury and Parramatta are also believed to be in negotiations with Keating, with the Eels leading the race.
Keating said he was still a few weeks away from putting pen to paper with any club, but did reveal the Cowboys were unlikely to be among his considerations.
''I'm more likely to stay in the west (of Sydney), I've grown up around the area, so I'm more likely to stay around here and keep working on my footy,'' the 21-year-old said.
''I couldn't see myself moving away from home, I'm a family man and I can't really see myself moving out of Sydney.''
Until he signs on the dotted line, Keating is intent on rediscovering his best form - starting against the Cowboys.
On the comeback trail from a broken jaw that robbed him of most of 2009, he last week reclaimed his favoured No. 6 jersey for the first time since 2008, forcing finals hero Jeff Robson to switch to hooker.
Keating's partnership with halfback Daniel Mortimer coincided with Parramatta snapping a three-game losing streak with a 22-8 victory over an in-form South Sydney at the weekend.
It was just the pair's second full 80 minutes together in the NRL, but after they came through the grades together at the Eels, he said he did not expect it to take too long for the duo to click fully.
''I thought from the Raiders game to the Bunnies game we improved as a combination a lot, so we are going to keep building together and work hard together to get the team rolling,'' Keating said.
In an ominous warning for the Cowboys, following their win over the Rabbitohs, Keating said the entire Eels team was primed to step up.
''I don't think a lot of players will look back now,'' he said
Just stating the obvious.
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FAIR DINKUM you dropkicks who reckon he is the next big thing must eat magic mushies for brekky!!!!!!!!