Semi-will he be back in time???

Watmough expected to retire

JUST a few days before the NRL kick-off, Parramatta’s superstar winger Semi Radradra has made a mercy dash home to Fiji to join his stricken family in the cyclone ravaged nation.

Radradra left Sydney on Thursday morning for the flight and 12-hour boat ride to the village of Somosomo, where he was a struggling kava farmer before being snapped up by Parramatta Eels talent scouts two years ago.

He has been uncontactable since leaving because phone communications in most areas of Fiji are still down following Cyclone Winston which left a $650 million trail of destruction.

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur made the decision to allow the Dally M winger of the year to return home, less than a week before the club’s premiership opening game against the Brisbane Broncos at Pirtek Stadium on Thursday night.

“It had been playing on Semi’s mind for a couple of days,” Arthur said, “He needed to get back there because he hadn’t been able to make contact with anyone.

“So we had to get him home. To play good football, players have to have their off-field life sorted.

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“We’re big on family at our club and if it’s Semi, or any other player for the matter, I’d do the same.

MEBERSHIP SURGE: You’ll never guess who the top four are

“Family is really important to us, actually we put it before football.

“If they’re happy off the field it correlates into their on-field performances.”

Semi Radradra will return to Eels training on Sunday afternoon.
Parramatta officials have been unable to contact Radradra since he left.

The club’s welfare officer received one message that his family was okay.

Radradra used the money from his first contract with Parramatta to build his family the first home they ever owned.

The flying Fijian is due back in Sydney on Sunday before resuming training with the rest of his team mates on Sunday afternoon.

In a recent interview Radradra spoke of his pride for his family.

“I’m planning to bring my mum and dad this year to watch my first or second game,” he said, “I’m looking forward to that. For them as well to watch rugby league and be in the moment, I’m very excited for them.”

On hearing of Radradra’s concern, both the NRL and the Parramatta Eels have pledged fundraising support. NRL independent commission chairman John Grant has kicked off with a $50,000 donation.

MEBERSHIP SURGE: You’ll never guess who the top four are

“We have no hesitation, on behalf of the game, to kicking off the fund raising campaign,” Grant said.

“Now we want to encourage all our fans to get behind the campaign and assist with the recovery operation in Fiji. I can think of no better cause to support as we kick off the season.”

Volunteers with buckets will be collecting for the appeal around the precinct of Pirtek Stadium at Thursday night’s season opener.

Radradra will donate his boots from the Round 1 blockbuster to be auctioned on the Eels’ website after the game.

"Pure speculation. And really, it should be 'NO DEAL' until they come to the party with a player WE WANT + a compensation payment. Presumably, Moses has them over a barrel, so that should be the only acceptable outcome."

"Agreed. There is no way Ryles will want Lomax anywhere near the squad. He's finally got everyone buying in - doesn't need someone with an eye to his next contract elsweher."

Replies

Wile E. Coyote February 27, 2016 at 8:21pm

Watmough expected to retire

JUST a few days before the NRL kick-off, Parramatta’s superstar winger Semi Radradra has made a mercy dash home to Fiji to join his stricken family in the cyclone ravaged nation.

Radradra left Sydney on Thursday morning for the flight and 12-hour boat ride to the village of Somosomo, where he was a struggling kava farmer before being snapped up by Parramatta Eels talent scouts two years ago.

He has been uncontactable since leaving because phone communications in most areas of Fiji are still down following Cyclone Winston which left a $650 million trail of destruction.

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur made the decision to allow the Dally M winger of the year to return home, less than a week before the club’s premiership opening game against the Brisbane Broncos at Pirtek Stadium on Thursday night.

“It had been playing on Semi’s mind for a couple of days,” Arthur said, “He needed to get back there because he hadn’t been able to make contact with anyone.

“So we had to get him home. To play good football, players have to have their off-field life sorted.

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“We’re big on family at our club and if it’s Semi, or any other player for the matter, I’d do the same.

MEBERSHIP SURGE: You’ll never guess who the top four are

“Family is really important to us, actually we put it before football.

“If they’re happy off the field it correlates into their on-field performances.”

Semi Radradra will return to Eels training on Sunday afternoon.
Parramatta officials have been unable to contact Radradra since he left.

The club’s welfare officer received one message that his family was okay.

Radradra used the money from his first contract with Parramatta to build his family the first home they ever owned.

The flying Fijian is due back in Sydney on Sunday before resuming training with the rest of his team mates on Sunday afternoon.

In a recent interview Radradra spoke of his pride for his family.

“I’m planning to bring my mum and dad this year to watch my first or second game,” he said, “I’m looking forward to that. For them as well to watch rugby league and be in the moment, I’m very excited for them.”

On hearing of Radradra’s concern, both the NRL and the Parramatta Eels have pledged fundraising support. NRL independent commission chairman John Grant has kicked off with a $50,000 donation.

MEBERSHIP SURGE: You’ll never guess who the top four are

“We have no hesitation, on behalf of the game, to kicking off the fund raising campaign,” Grant said.

“Now we want to encourage all our fans to get behind the campaign and assist with the recovery operation in Fiji. I can think of no better cause to support as we kick off the season.”

Volunteers with buckets will be collecting for the appeal around the precinct of Pirtek Stadium at Thursday night’s season opener.

Radradra will donate his boots from the Round 1 blockbuster to be auctioned on the Eels’ website after the game.
- michael picklum > Wile E. Coyote February 28, 2016 at 12:37pm
  
  Thanks Will, a very good read. Another example of BA's player management skills & his personal values. Full credit to the club's support & to Semi's loyalty & devotion to his family.
Brax February 27, 2016 at 8:24pm

Thanks for posting that,
El patrón MDV February 27, 2016 at 8:27pm

its great that the club let him go to see his family is ok. He will pay us back in spades
- Joseph > El patrón MDV February 28, 2016 at 11:04am
  
  Nice avatar Vince!!
Kurupt February 27, 2016 at 10:09pm

God bless Semi and all our Fijian friends at this time.
Mapik February 28, 2016 at 9:41am

I wouldn't put it past the NRL to put the Fiji charity donation on our salary cap.
Chris February 28, 2016 at 10:56am

They are checking if that phone call to the eels welfare officer was reverse charges.
sixtiesboy February 28, 2016 at 12:22pm

This is not just lip service when BA says that family is a priority at the Eels. I can see a genuine parallel between the Arthur philosophy and the Gibson philosophy. In our Gibson tribute on TCT, the players revealed that Gibson reduced training times so that players could spend time with their families. He said that family was important. Of course in those days the players had to work as well as train, so football training truly removed players from family time. However, the current family ethos in the football department is great to see and builds respect between the player and the coach/club.
- Phil Mann > sixtiesboy February 28, 2016 at 12:37pm
  
  Many years ago, Brett Hodgsons mum was battling cancer and eventually lost her battle. It was a critical time of the season but Brian Smith essentially told Brett to go home and be with your family. Great example of man management and understanding the priorities of life.