SMH: Manly accused of Orford deal

[Super Cronk]

Manly captain Michael Monaghan's manager last night launched an extraordinary attack on the club, suggesting the Sea Eagles had broken anti-tampering rules to snare Melbourne's Matt Orford as his replacement.

Agent Jim Banaghan was responding to claims from the competition co-leaders, who play Parramatta tonight to open round 11, that Monaghan wanted 30 per cent more than they were willing to pay.

"I'm flabbergasted," said Banaghan. "I've never seen such unbelievable contract negotiations as those conducted by Manly in respect of their captain.

"I've been receiving mail now for six weeks that they've done a deal with Orford and [clubmate Matt] King. Nothing that has happened in the last few weeks suggests that the mail is wrong."

In reference to Sea Eagles executive director Paul Cummings, Banaghan said: "Whilst we fully understand Mr Cummings is very new in rugby league and comes from the film industry, he hasn't developed into an experienced administrator.
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"Disappointed is an understatement and, yours being a family newspaper, my full sentiments can't be fully expressed.

"We've never asked for anything. They put an offer on the table and then pulled it before we had a chance to get together, Michael and I.

"Des [Hasler] has put the stalling tactics on now for three or four weeks.

Cummings said he had no comment on Banaghan's "vitriolic attack" but responded: "We categorically deny there is any discussions going on with regard to Matt Orford or King.

"If Jim has that information and it's valid, why doesn't he put it forward?

"We complied with a request Jim made some months ago. We made an offer to him, he came back with a counter-offer. We said we felt that was too high.

"We're more than happy to continue the conversation."

smh.com.au

i hope this is not true!...must admit tho..it isnt looking good for the storm...we will most likely lose both.

[Insomniac]

If it is true, it would explain why King has looked "distracted" the last few weeks...

[Super Cronk]

yeah and kingy loves the surf and that up there its to much to resist for him...dammit!

[JAMIE]

Let Orford go. I am a big believer in his ability, but he has no loyalty. I'm sick of worrying about him staying or leaving, and I went through the same worrying process last year when he decided to sign a 1 year deal.
Matt King on the other hand is one that we should try our bloody hardest to keep. He his an exeptional footballer and adds much needed size to our outside backs.
And just for the record, next year if Orford follows the bank notes, Cooper Cronk will impress us at half, maybe not as much as Matty O has, but in time, he, Smith, Hill and Slater will form an excellent combination.
In the next few years, build our team around Cameron Smith.

[steaming stormer]

If it is true, they won't be allowed to register for Manly. I am pretty sure that is what happens for a breach of anti tampering deadlines

[Thunderstruck]

They just need to prove that now.

[Mike_The_Undertaker]

Don't care any more about the Ox but would be realy cut if King went.

[riders of the storm]

I'm so sick and tired of this Matt Orford crap. He might be bloody good when he's on his game, but do you honestly want someone at your club who shows no loyalty at all? Especially if resigning him means we have to get rid of several other players who have been here and working hard for years like Matt Geyer and Robbie Kearns? Move Cooper Cronk to Halfback and let this little money grabber leave. Manly should be ashamed for doing this to Micheal Monaghan, especially since he's their captain and took the reigns when the club was in crisis last year. As for Matt King the only reason he would have ever signed with the Sea Eagles would be because of Orford leaving to go there. Good luck Matts, just wait till you become like Kirk Reynoldson, Semi Tadulala and Dustin Cooper...

[Lord Reynoldson]

Don't write Matt King off yet. I remember back in 2000 after Noddy signed with the Eagles that Matt Geyer was a certainty to anounce that he was leaving the club to join his buddy at the Eagles for about a month.

[JAMIE]

Riders of the Storm.

That's a bit harsh towards Dustin Cooper. I can see why he left, he got no game time. The main one that springs to mind is Ben Roarty. He left to get more opportunity, and then fizzled out to nothing in the NRL. He had to turn his tail and head to the UK.

[OzHEDude]

As for Matt King the only reason he would have ever signed with the Sea Eagles would be because of Orford leaving to go there.

I disagree
Heard of Mimis?
He's the one pushing this, AND NO-ONE ELSE.
I feel he may have sowed the wrong seeds into their heads.

[simo]

Gee's stuff em, lets sign Michael Monaghan from Manly if they dont want him, he does the job at halfback
just as good as Orford but more consistent and is cheaper.
Then if Bellamy brought over Luke Bailey or Gulavoe or Cayless we'd be set.
If King goes then we have Inglis and Turner anyway.

[Thunderstruck]

[quote=""FoxSports"]A FEUD between a high-profile player agent and Manly was settled last night, paving the way for Sea Eagles captain Michael Monaghan to sign a new three-year contract[/quote]

[riders of the storm]

Riders of the Storm.

That's a bit harsh towards Dustin Cooper. I can see why he left, he got no game time. The main one that springs to mind is Ben Roarty. He left to get more opportunity, and then fizzled out to nothing in the NRL. He had to turn his tail and head to the UK.

Yeah it is I suppose. Sorry about that. I'm just so sick of all this talk about Orford signing contract deals for all these different clubs.