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Dogs bid to keep Sonny Bill
By Brent Read and Margie McDonald
December 13, 2006
THE Bulldogs could table their opening bid for Sonny Bill Williams as early as next week at a scheduled meeting between the New Zealand star's management and club officials.
Williams' manager Chris Orr confirmed talks would take place with the Bulldogs on Monday and he was hopeful the club would make an official offer to extend his deal, which expires at the end of the 2007 season.
Orr also moved to head off speculation linking Williams with the Australian Rugby Union, saying he and his brother Gavin would meet rugby officials today to discuss all their players who are coming off contract.
Orr said the meeting was not specifically convened to talk about the very talented Williams.
Williams is without doubt Orr's most prized client and his future has prompted a flurry of recent speculation linking him with a number of NRL clubs, most notably the Sydney Roosters.
However, his preference remains to stay at Belmore, the club which prepared him for his first-grade debut in 2004.
"We're hoping that something will come forward on Monday," Orr said.
Asked whether Williams' preference was to remain with the Bulldogs, Orr said: "We have always said that ... but it all depends on them.
"It's what sort of package they can manage and whether it's right for Sonny. If we can't get an acceptable package out of the Bulldogs then things change."
Under changes to NRL guidelines, which resulted in the scrapping of the June 30 anti-tampering deadline, rival clubs can hold talks with Williams and his management but a deal cannot be concluded before round 13 next year (in mid-June).
NSW and Australia prop Mark O'Meley will also come off contract at Belmore next spring and he continues to be linked with Cronulla.
But Williams is a trump at Belmore and his status led to reports yesterday that the ARU was a potential employer.
The ARU has targeted several big-name rugby league players in recent seasons including Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor.
Sailor is serving a two-year ban, having tested positive to cocaine, while Rogers is likely to return to the NRL next season with Gold Coast.
Rogers rang the ARU yesterday seeking a meeting about winding up his $500,000 per year contract, which still has a year to run. A meeting has been organised for tomorrow.
www.foxsports.com.au
By Brent Read and Margie McDonald
December 13, 2006
THE Bulldogs could table their opening bid for Sonny Bill Williams as early as next week at a scheduled meeting between the New Zealand star's management and club officials.
Williams' manager Chris Orr confirmed talks would take place with the Bulldogs on Monday and he was hopeful the club would make an official offer to extend his deal, which expires at the end of the 2007 season.
Orr also moved to head off speculation linking Williams with the Australian Rugby Union, saying he and his brother Gavin would meet rugby officials today to discuss all their players who are coming off contract.
Orr said the meeting was not specifically convened to talk about the very talented Williams.
Williams is without doubt Orr's most prized client and his future has prompted a flurry of recent speculation linking him with a number of NRL clubs, most notably the Sydney Roosters.
However, his preference remains to stay at Belmore, the club which prepared him for his first-grade debut in 2004.
"We're hoping that something will come forward on Monday," Orr said.
Asked whether Williams' preference was to remain with the Bulldogs, Orr said: "We have always said that ... but it all depends on them.
"It's what sort of package they can manage and whether it's right for Sonny. If we can't get an acceptable package out of the Bulldogs then things change."
Under changes to NRL guidelines, which resulted in the scrapping of the June 30 anti-tampering deadline, rival clubs can hold talks with Williams and his management but a deal cannot be concluded before round 13 next year (in mid-June).
NSW and Australia prop Mark O'Meley will also come off contract at Belmore next spring and he continues to be linked with Cronulla.
But Williams is a trump at Belmore and his status led to reports yesterday that the ARU was a potential employer.
The ARU has targeted several big-name rugby league players in recent seasons including Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor.
Sailor is serving a two-year ban, having tested positive to cocaine, while Rogers is likely to return to the NRL next season with Gold Coast.
Rogers rang the ARU yesterday seeking a meeting about winding up his $500,000 per year contract, which still has a year to run. A meeting has been organised for tomorrow.
www.foxsports.com.au
