Parra join Cronulla in attempt to snare Best

PARRAMATTA have thrown a spanner into Cronulla's plans to lure Colin Best back to the Sutherland Shire by offering the veteran centre a career swansong with the Eels.The 31-year-old, off contract at South Sydney, is wanted by Sharks coach Shane Flanagan, whose signings for next year to date are Wade Graham and Jeremy Smith, but the Eels have also shown keen interest in Best. The Rabbitohs, it is understood, have not made an offer to keep him.''I'm hopeful that something will be done this week,'' Best said yesterday. ''I've got a couple of options so I'm just sort of dwelling on them.''The Sharks still hope to secure Best, who spent five seasons at the club from 1998 to 2002, mostly under present Souths coach John Lang, before leaving for a stint in England, with Hull, following the arrival of Chris Anderson.He said he had buried the hatchet with the team that, as a youngster, he thought he would never leave, having featured in a bright era for the Sharks when their back line included the likes of Andrew Ettingshausen, Preston Campbell, Mat Rogers and David Peachey.''It sort of went a bit pear-shaped [at Cronulla] … we had a new coach take over and he sort of wanted out with the old and bring in the new,'' Best said. ''I had a few years, I guess, where I was a little bit bitter with Cronulla. It was the hardest time in my footy career when I left.''In a perfect world I expected to be there for the whole of my career. It's definitely close to my heart. I'm a local junior, I live in the area. I'd definitely like to see them do well.''http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/parra-join-cronulla-in-attempt-to-snare-best-20100816-126z9.html

"For us, we could actually afford Tino and still get a decent 6. Even if you go say Pezet, you can afford Tino. Though feel he would be going to Perth to be fair. Or Dogs."

Replies

Mac5733 August 17, 2010 at 8:45am

Is that a joke? Why would we want him? He's shithouse!
Johnny Suede August 17, 2010 at 8:50am

Why don't we try recruiting players at the start of their careers rather than the end? Be cheaper too. PS It's also not a singing endorsement of Reddy and Tahu...
ZipZip August 17, 2010 at 10:47am

Sign him on an entry level salary & nothing more.
iamnot August 17, 2010 at 12:12pm

I read from his comments that he wants to go to Cronulla. We are not in with a shot of getting him.
Hugo August 17, 2010 at 12:32pm

Thank Goodness we wont get him...
ŦōmMýþØΨ-Parra Till I Die! August 17, 2010 at 12:32pm

Who havent we approached for next year???

Anyone that seems to be near the end of their career or their current contract is due to run out is being affiliated with this great club at the moment, we are seriously looking very desperate!

Has anyone approached Cliff Lyons im pretty sure hes still playing for Umina in the group9 competition, Im positive he would love another crack at Nrl, he cant be that old could???( 50 rs old is the new 25yrs)
Hugo August 17, 2010 at 12:34pm

Also somthing nagging me here... For some reason, it wouldnt suprise me to see Timana Tahu retiring at the end of this year... No he hasnt indicated it anywhere but I have a sneaky suspicion that it may be on the cards and it wouldnt surprise me at all... May also indicate why we would chase someone like Best. Probably nothing....
JJM August 17, 2010 at 12:39pm

Best can play wing/centre to replace inu at $120-140k a year. Thats my view
1Eyed Eel August 17, 2010 at 12:51pm

OK, so this is just whispers in the wind stuff too, but there has been some talk that some folk have not been impressed with T's application this year - particularly following the Origin controversy. Really, do you sign a starting centre from another club if your going forward next year with Tahu and Reddy with Wright as backup? The only way you make this work is if Reddy starts the season on the wing, which would be something of a blow to him given he's made City in the position. I'm quite happy with our outside back stocks especially if we are bringing in Tuiaki, as has been rumoured.
EelLectric August 17, 2010 at 1:03pm

If we're in the frame for a guy like Best, someone who can play wing or centre and is proven at 1st grade level, then I can't figure out why we didn't have a look at Brad Tighe while he was on the market? I'd imagine their asking price would be quite similar.

And on Tahu, I've had a feeling ever since the Origin camp walkout that this might be his last year. I'm sure I posted as much here a while back.