Following is in this mornings SMH
2 things come out of it. at least from my perspective
1: The article is implying that while the deal can still be done, his manager is the one who is putting the talks on hold, also only mentioned as being likely. Thought there was news from the club, in the early stages that they were putting talks on hold regarding his contract, not as this latest stuff says.
2: Junior's future. It is said the eels are considering it, however the eels will be wanting compensation in the form of cash or player swap.
Thing would be in this saga, & for me the idea of taking a swap player is interesting, but who in the raiders camp would be worth having as against us using one of the back up players, & in that I am thinking Alvaro comes to the bench, when Tim comes back & is the replacement for Jnr.
Corey Norman's manager remains hopeful of finalising a deal with Parramatta but says contract negotiations will be put on hold following his client's drugs drama.
Norman returned to training for the first time since he was ordered to front court after he was allegedly busted with ecstasy capsules and muscle relaxants at The Star casino on Friday night. The Eels pivot, one of the highest-profile players on the open market, was close to finalising a contract extension that would have made him the second highest-paid player at the club after halves partner Kieran Foran.
Halves duo: Corey Norman and Kieran Foran at training. Photo: Peter Rae
The Eels are now reviewing whether they should reduce their offer – or even pull it from the table altogether – after Norman was charged for drug offences and formally warned by police for associating with underworld figures.
Teammate Junior Paulo, who was also warned about consorting with criminals, has signed a lucrative deal to join Canberra next season. However, the Raiders are hopeful he will be granted an immediate release. It's understood the Eels may consider letting Paulo go early, but they would expect compensation in the form of cash or a swap for another player.
Norman's future is in limbo, with Parramatta and potential suitors likely to hold off until the outcome of his court hearing. His agent, Paul Sutton, was hopeful a deal could still be struck to ensure he remains in blue and gold. "I'm confident we can work something out," Sutton said. "We'll let the dust settle. For both parties, now is not the right time to hold negotiations."
Back in training: Junior Paulo on Thursday. Photo: Peter Rae
Norman appeared in good spirits during a training run at Old Saleyards Reserve on Thursday despite the latest incident. "As a playing group and as club captain as well, our position is to support Normy, not throw stones at him," said teammate Tim Mannah.
"He's our mate, he's our friend, he's got a process to go through now, he's got some legal action, so our job is to support him and let him know he has people who care about him."
The public have been sympathetic to the Eels players during the salary cap scandal, a mess not of their making. But that sentiment may be turning after the latest episodes. Asked if he was frustrated after more adverse headlines, Mannah said: "Not towards Normy. At the moment it's more about making sure he's OK. I think a lot of people are quick to throw stones, but for us it's about making sure he's OK and he's got our support. He was alright [when he arrived]. He doesn't show too much too often, but I definitely think he's a bit rattled.
"It's our job to support him and not throw him under a bus. It would be nice if we had that attitude for once where we give a guy the benefit of the doubt, innocent until proven guilty.
"Our whole playing group is really resilient. Hopefully he can sort out what we need to do, and when he comes on the footy field he's ready to go."
Norman's teammates were hoping the drugs charges wouldn't affect his chances of re-signing with the club.
"I don't know how far along he is with negotiations or the club's stance on that, but as a person and a player I hope he stays," said fullback Michael Gordon. "He's a fantastic player and I think he's great for the club."
Mannah added: "It depends on how it all goes, but I think he's an important part of this team and this club, so as a mate I'd love to see him here. That's not my call."
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/were-still-hopeful-of-a-parramatta-eels-deal-says-corey-normans-manager-20160526-gp4q34.html#ixzz49o6efWP2
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Replies
Wiz. While it would be good to see him dropped, but what real point is it in the end? He is taking up money from our cap, & there is absolutely no value coming from him at all, at least at this point of time.
If you were sold some item at a shop that had all the wiz bang promotions about it & how great it will be for your home & family, & when you got it home & at first go it was great & did what the glitz adverts said it would, but the next time it only performed at 90% & then as a few more times it kept getting worse, to a point where it was useless, wouldn't you go back to the shop & ask for a refund, or replacement? After all under our consumer laws you are entitled to either one.
Unfortunately that's how I now view Jnr, one game & then another this year & that was before he announced his mover to Canberra next year, then he started to drop down in performance. For me, same with the wonder product, let him go to Canberra & we get either a full refund of his contract from the day of release &/or replacement with a player of better potential for us.
However, since raiders want him that much (despite their timely we won't be getting him statement last week :P) and since they see him as potentially helping them get into string contention, they should pay much more than a lousy 150k which in the scheme of things is a joke and just not worth the huge moral loss to the fans as most fans will see it only as us losing out to that hated lime green devil...think they've been through enough. It better be really worthwhile for us if they go that way.
I agree he hasn't been up to par of late but think he has been great for us most of the year. But this is more about us being duped and allowing it to benefit the duper.
If there is nothing in it for Parra, why would you do anything to help out an opposition team? I said the same about Michael Gordon and it still applies.
Teams are not in the business of being charitable to other teams. If it suits Parra to let him go, then go for it. If not, too bad, he/Ricky will have to wait til the contract is finished.
Clay Priest or Luke Bateman are better, to be honest.
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