Riddell exit set to let in Brett

parragirl · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject: Riddell exit set to let in Brett

Pig idea … Riddell is eyeing a move to England.
Photo: Craig Golding

Greg Prichard | March 21, 2008

THE chances of Parramatta retaining halfback Brett Finch have improved dramatically, with his Eels teammate, Mark Riddell, closing in on a deal to play in England from next year.

The Eels aren't looking to get rid of Riddell, who is contracted to the club until the end of next season, but he is investigating the possibility of a long-term contract in England, where there is understood to be interest from glamour club Wigan.

Out of goodwill, Parramatta would be likely to consider any request from Riddell for a release from the final year of his deal if they were not able to offer him a lengthy contract themselves.

The hooker, who began the season in fine form against the Bulldogs last weekend, is only 26 and would presumably also attract offers from other NRL clubs if he became available.

Brian Smith, his former coach at Parramatta, is now in charge at Newcastle and Riddell might be a good fit there, with representative rake Danny Buderus set to leave the Knights for Leeds at the end of this season. But there is no guarantee the Eels would release him to an NRL rival and, besides, Riddell could prove too expensive for Newcastle.

Finch, whose contract runs out at the end of this season, has known for some time that Parramatta would struggle to find the cash to retain him. The club is feeling the pressure of the salary cap after re-signing star young guns Jarryd Hayne and Krisnan Inu.

Eels coach Michael Hagan sat down at the beginning of last month and explained the situation to Finch, who said at the time he was glad the club were able to keep Hayne and Inu - even if it meant he might be squeezed out.

But the development regarding Riddell has changed the landscape at the club. They didn't want to lose Finch, but until now they didn't look to have any chance of keeping him. They don't want to lose Riddell, either, but if he can clinch a lucrative deal overseas, they might be inclined to let him go.

"Brett has certainly expressed strong interest in staying at our club and our head coach is very keen to keep him," Eels football manager Andrew Hill said yesterday. "It's a case of whether the club and Brett can reach an agreement."

Finch's manager, Steve Gillis, yesterday said he had been discussing the player's situation with the Eels management and was now waiting to see if the club could put together a competitive deal.

"I spoke to Parramatta again last week," Gillis said. "They have certainly indicated that they want to keep Brett. They have never said they don't want to retain him - it's been a matter of whether they could come up with the numbers. They told me they wanted to put something together and come back to me, and Brett is happy to wait and see what they come up with, but in the meantime there is interest in him from England and within the NRL.

"Brett is happy at Parramatta and in a perfect world he would stay there, but in the end it all comes down to … what sort of deal might be available. Parramatta's priorities were Hayne and Inu, and that is understandable, but it was looking tough for them to keep Brett after those two players were re-signed. It might look a bit more possible now, but it still won't be easy. It depends what plan they come up with.

"If Brett is still available in six to eight weeks from now, he is going to be one of the most popular players on the open market, because every club needs a good halfback."

Riddell is also happy at the Eels, but he is understood to be keen to experience playing in England if that is how things work out.

The former St George Illawarra star lost a lot of weight coming into this season and the benefit was clear for all to see in his performance against the Bulldogs. He played for 73 minutes and, late in the game, still had enough energy to be first down the field and make the tackle on a kick-chase.

Finch made his name as a halfback, but in his first season with the Eels - last year - he played five-eighth, with Tim Smith at halfback. Finch began this season at No.7 and will remain there for Sunday's game against the Warriors.

Smith is still coming back through the lower grades after recovering from shoulder surgery and dealing with off-field issues that led to him spending part of the summer in a rehabilitation centre.

It is not clear whether Smith will conquer his demons and regain his best form on the field, which makes retaining Finch even more important for the club.

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/n...ett/2008/03/20/1205602581235.html

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