From the Weazal in yesterdays Sun Herald
SONNY BILL ROOSTER?
WITH Sonny BillWilliams finally signing his latest one-year deal with the NZRU, the hunt for his services will hot up among the NRL clubs. The two clubs with the best hope appear to be the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta.
The Roosters have a massive trump card – Nick Politis. The Roosters chairman is someone who has the full admiration of the man who will help SBW decide his future – Khoder Nasser. Nasser doesn’t rate many of the officials in the code, but regards Politis very highly.
They have met a few times for a coffee and they may meet again now that SBW is getting closer to being a free agent.
It’s something of a surprise that Politis didn’t make a play to bring Williams back next season – a pay-out to Canterbury may have been an option and Politis does have a good relationship with Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib.
SBW will be chased by clubs all over the world, but he will bring people through the door like no other player. His marketability is huge. You can be sure that the man doing the negotiating for Channel Nine as it looks to hold on to the NRL rights,David Gyngell, will want SBW back.
And Gyngell has the ear of Politis.
The Eels’ chances will depend largely on coach Stephen Kearney, who has a long relationship with the former Kiwi league international. They also have plenty of coin, thirdparty sponsors and one of SBW’s best mates, Reni Maitua, in their midst.