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I feel for Michael Ennis, he has to deal with Barba, and maybe DCE as well
Cronulla is in the process of putting forward a mammoth offer for Daly Cherry-Evans which would make the star halfback the highest-paid player in NRL history.
Having just secured the services of Ben Barba from Brisbane, the Sharks are now attempting to prise his close mate from Manly on a seven-figure-per-season deal. Some of the cash Cronulla freed up from sacking Todd Carney has been spent on securing Barba, although the Broncos will continue to pay part of the former Canterbury fullback's wages as part of his release. However, there are still funds available for a marquee player and the war chest is likely to grow should the wooden spooners opt against re-signing a number of players coming off contract at the end of 2015.
Barba and Cherry-Evans are close mates from their days playing junior football in Mackay and the signing of the former increases the chances of the latter following suit. It was even reported that Barba stayed with 'DCE' in Sydney when he was nutting out the final details of his Cronulla contract.
Daly Cherry-Evans in action for the Kangaroos on the weekend.
Daly Cherry-Evans in action for the Kangaroos on the weekend. Photo: AFP
Cherry-Evans and Sea Eagles halves partner Kieran Foran are off contract at the end of next year and will be the most sought-after players on the open market. The Gold Coast are keen to tempt Cherry-Evans back to Queensland, while Parramatta, Canterbury and the Roosters are the clubs most likely to shift Foran from Brookvale. Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn has stated his intention to secure their services long term before Christmas but few clubs will be able to compete with the financial package the Sharks are offering Cherry-Evans.
The Maroons star is tipped as a future captain of his club and country and the Sharks believe a scrumbase pairing with Barba would be one of the most lethal in the game. Jeff Robson, also off contract at the end of the year, has been a solid performer for the Sharks in recent times. However, he will turn 33 next year and may struggle to gain another NRL deal.
Manly coach Geoff Toovey hoped his international halves pairing would remain at Brookvale. "As you can see here, it's a great environment to play and train away from the field as well," Toovey said. "The continued success we've had over the last few years adds to that as well.
"I am sure the club is active in securing them going forward. They are a great two players and I'm sure there will be plenty of clubs going after them."
Toovey hoped the fact there was now one controlling owner at the club would increase the chances of the Foran and Cherry-Evans staying. "I think it doesn't do any harm, that's for sure," Toovey said. "Players these days, particularly those younger superstars coming through, are very educated when it comes to those sorts of things. They know the best they can do for themselves is perform and that's what we've done here. I think every person, whether he be working on the council down the road, wants to make sure his job is secure. It's a good thing if we can do that going forward."
Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon was also hopeful the halves would stay put. "With those two guys, it's going to be hard to keep them," he said. "There's going to be a lot of clubs trying to get them and rightly so, they have put in some good years with their footy for Manly in the last couple. It will be hard to keep them but I'm sure the club will do everything they can to keep them here."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...t-pay-day-in-nrl-history-20141119-11py2m.html
Cronulla is in the process of putting forward a mammoth offer for Daly Cherry-Evans which would make the star halfback the highest-paid player in NRL history.
Having just secured the services of Ben Barba from Brisbane, the Sharks are now attempting to prise his close mate from Manly on a seven-figure-per-season deal. Some of the cash Cronulla freed up from sacking Todd Carney has been spent on securing Barba, although the Broncos will continue to pay part of the former Canterbury fullback's wages as part of his release. However, there are still funds available for a marquee player and the war chest is likely to grow should the wooden spooners opt against re-signing a number of players coming off contract at the end of 2015.
Barba and Cherry-Evans are close mates from their days playing junior football in Mackay and the signing of the former increases the chances of the latter following suit. It was even reported that Barba stayed with 'DCE' in Sydney when he was nutting out the final details of his Cronulla contract.
Daly Cherry-Evans in action for the Kangaroos on the weekend.
Daly Cherry-Evans in action for the Kangaroos on the weekend. Photo: AFP
Cherry-Evans and Sea Eagles halves partner Kieran Foran are off contract at the end of next year and will be the most sought-after players on the open market. The Gold Coast are keen to tempt Cherry-Evans back to Queensland, while Parramatta, Canterbury and the Roosters are the clubs most likely to shift Foran from Brookvale. Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn has stated his intention to secure their services long term before Christmas but few clubs will be able to compete with the financial package the Sharks are offering Cherry-Evans.
The Maroons star is tipped as a future captain of his club and country and the Sharks believe a scrumbase pairing with Barba would be one of the most lethal in the game. Jeff Robson, also off contract at the end of the year, has been a solid performer for the Sharks in recent times. However, he will turn 33 next year and may struggle to gain another NRL deal.
Manly coach Geoff Toovey hoped his international halves pairing would remain at Brookvale. "As you can see here, it's a great environment to play and train away from the field as well," Toovey said. "The continued success we've had over the last few years adds to that as well.
"I am sure the club is active in securing them going forward. They are a great two players and I'm sure there will be plenty of clubs going after them."
Toovey hoped the fact there was now one controlling owner at the club would increase the chances of the Foran and Cherry-Evans staying. "I think it doesn't do any harm, that's for sure," Toovey said. "Players these days, particularly those younger superstars coming through, are very educated when it comes to those sorts of things. They know the best they can do for themselves is perform and that's what we've done here. I think every person, whether he be working on the council down the road, wants to make sure his job is secure. It's a good thing if we can do that going forward."
Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon was also hopeful the halves would stay put. "With those two guys, it's going to be hard to keep them," he said. "There's going to be a lot of clubs trying to get them and rightly so, they have put in some good years with their footy for Manly in the last couple. It will be hard to keep them but I'm sure the club will do everything they can to keep them here."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...t-pay-day-in-nrl-history-20141119-11py2m.html
