Adam Woolnough signs with Storm

[stormsally]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/adam- ... 5908656517

Adam Woolnough signs with Melbourne Storm Russell Gould From: Herald Sun August 23, 2010 12:00AM

FORMER Melbourne Storm forward Clint Newton should ask for a finders fee after steering prop Adam Woolnough in the club's direction.
Newton, now at Hull KR in the UK Superleague, also played a leading hand in convincing Brett Finch to join Storm.

Woolnough played 135 NRL games in eight seasons at Newcastle and Penrith before quitting the game midway through last season with a year to run on his Panthers deal.

Citing a need to "do other things" Woolnough, then 27, set off with his wife Bec, backpacking through South America, South Africa and Britain.

It was in England that Woolnough ran into Newton, and when talk turned to football - and Storm's need for front-rowers - the wheels were set in motion for the veteran to join Melbourne.

"Clint Newton talked him into it. He was the driving force," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said.

"Adam then rang (Storm coach Craig Bellamy) and asked him if he would be interested and he said, 'Absolutely'. Now he's ended up on our doorstep.

"He still had a year to go on his contract at Penrith, but he needed a year off and rediscovered his hunger.

"Newto gave (Storm) a massive wrap and I've never heard a bloke so enthusiastic to get here. Adam wrote me an email, which was impressive.

"He's seen what has happened here to other players. He's come with no guarantees, but the right attitude.

"I think he has looked after himself conditioning wise, but he needs a big pre-season. He's going to be behind the eight-ball.

"But if his attitude is anything to go by, he'll be good for us."

Woolnough will be in Melbourne for Storm's final home game against Newcastle, meet Bellamy, check out the facilities and have a medical test.

His addition to Storm's line-up will give the club some experience in the front row to cover the loss of Brett White and Jeff Lima.

Woolnough will join journeyman Bryan Norrie and young players Jesse Bromwich, Sione Kite and former Parramatta under-20s player Mitchell Johnson as the club's first choice props next year.

There could yet be more steel added with axed Canberra veteran Troy Thompson also a chance to join the club next season.

And former Cronulla and Canterbury forward Reni Maitua has been linked to Melbourne with his two-year ban for testing positive to banned drug Clenbuterol set to end next year.

Maitua, who would not be able to play until Round 8 next season, has also attracted interest from Wests Tigers and Parramatta.

Before his drug ban, Maitua, 28, was sacked by the Bulldogs over behavioural issues.

Despite the setbacks of this year, Ponissi said there was no shortage of players wanting to play at Storm.

"There have been a lot of people who want to come down - the club still has a great name, its culture and the coaching environment," he said.

"There are plenty as keen as mustard to become involved. It's picking the right ones for the right price."

Good on Clint for selling the club.  He really is part of the Storm family, even though he didn't play for us for very long.  Sounds like a solid signing with no contract bagage from Penrith.

[Storm Spirit]

and more importantly....probably very cheap in comparison to the level of experience and nous he brings to the field

[Inglis#3]

Thought he retired....

[Clancy]

He took some time away from the game and back-packed with his missus for a while. Ran into Clint in the UK and one thing lead to another.

[BIG JIM]

He took some time away from the game and back-packed with his missus for a while. Ran into Clint in the UK and one thing lead to another and they now have a child called Cletus 

[CooperCronk]

He took some time away from the game and back-packed with his missus for a while. Ran into Clint in the UK and one thing lead to another and they now have a child called Cletus 

Trust you :

It might be worth snagging Clint Newton in some sort of recruiting role down here in Melbourne once he leaves the UK.

[Insomniac]

He took some time away from the game and back-packed with his missus for a while. Ran into Clint in the UK and one thing lead to another and they now have a child called Cletus 

Trust you :

It might be worth snagging Clint Newton in some sort of recruiting role down here in Melbourne once he leaves the UK.

Or leave him in the UK to redirect UK/former NRL players to Storm... 

[Stormtrooper9]

I posted a while back that we were after Woolnough, and it's great we got his signature, he'll be a tackling machine much like DJ was.

Gee I really hope we are able to get Troy Thompson and Reni, as it'll add some more starch up front, with a bit of flair as well, we are slowly looking good for next season.