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http://sportal.com.au/league-news-display/no-bone-for-bulldog-96204
No bone for Bulldog
05/08/2010 6:58 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal
Canterbury-Bankstown coach Kevin Moore has confirmed rugby league's worst kept secret, revealing veteran half-back Brett Kimmorley won't be offered a playing contract with the Bulldogs in 2011.
Kimmorley, currently in his 15th season in the top grade, is yet to make a decision on his future beyond this season.
The 33-year-old has been linked with both Parramatta and Canberra, however it appears former club Cronulla is now his only option should he wish to squeeze out one more season.
It has long been accepted there would be no room for Kimmorley at his current club next year after the Bulldogs signed gun Manly half-back Trent Hodkinson and Parramatta five-eight Kris Keating on long-term deals.
But both Moore and CEO Todd Greenberg have both repeatedly refused to rule out re-signing the former NSW and Kangaroos No.7 - until now.
"There's never an easy time to work out when I suppose someone's career is coming to an end," Moore said on Thursday when asked if he regrets his decision not to offer Kimmorley a new deal.
"And that's been a difficult one for us and our discussions with Brett were always around the fact that it was probably going to be market driven."
"And Trent Hodkinson became available and he's playing some great footy and we're excited about when he comes to the club what he might be able to offer as a half-back, not just next year but for the next eight or 10 years."
Meanwhile, Moore is refusing to give up on his side's slim finals hopes, insisting last season's preliminary finalists are playing well enough to sneak into the play-offs.
The Bulldogs, who currently sit six points out of the eight in 13th spot, must win their remaining five matches and rely on other results to fall in their favour.
"As far as we see it we're still a little bit of a chance in this competition so our focus is to win every game and pick the best 17 players available and that's what we're doing," Moore said.
And the coach is under no illusions ahead of Sunday's clash against a resurgent Newcastle at Energy Australia Stadium.
"Our last six weeks pretty much has been our best football of the season so we're starting to put together that good form and building the confidence and cohesion," Moore said.
"We've got our best players (available) and we're playing some good footy but we know that we've got to keep working hard and it's a big challenge against Newcastle this week."
"Obviously with them being above us (in 11th place) we can join them this weekend (with a win), so that's one thing that's in our favour ... if you pull two back on them it's like a four-point game."
No bone for Bulldog
05/08/2010 6:58 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal
Canterbury-Bankstown coach Kevin Moore has confirmed rugby league's worst kept secret, revealing veteran half-back Brett Kimmorley won't be offered a playing contract with the Bulldogs in 2011.
Kimmorley, currently in his 15th season in the top grade, is yet to make a decision on his future beyond this season.
The 33-year-old has been linked with both Parramatta and Canberra, however it appears former club Cronulla is now his only option should he wish to squeeze out one more season.
It has long been accepted there would be no room for Kimmorley at his current club next year after the Bulldogs signed gun Manly half-back Trent Hodkinson and Parramatta five-eight Kris Keating on long-term deals.
But both Moore and CEO Todd Greenberg have both repeatedly refused to rule out re-signing the former NSW and Kangaroos No.7 - until now.
"There's never an easy time to work out when I suppose someone's career is coming to an end," Moore said on Thursday when asked if he regrets his decision not to offer Kimmorley a new deal.
"And that's been a difficult one for us and our discussions with Brett were always around the fact that it was probably going to be market driven."
"And Trent Hodkinson became available and he's playing some great footy and we're excited about when he comes to the club what he might be able to offer as a half-back, not just next year but for the next eight or 10 years."
Meanwhile, Moore is refusing to give up on his side's slim finals hopes, insisting last season's preliminary finalists are playing well enough to sneak into the play-offs.
The Bulldogs, who currently sit six points out of the eight in 13th spot, must win their remaining five matches and rely on other results to fall in their favour.
"As far as we see it we're still a little bit of a chance in this competition so our focus is to win every game and pick the best 17 players available and that's what we're doing," Moore said.
And the coach is under no illusions ahead of Sunday's clash against a resurgent Newcastle at Energy Australia Stadium.
"Our last six weeks pretty much has been our best football of the season so we're starting to put together that good form and building the confidence and cohesion," Moore said.
"We've got our best players (available) and we're playing some good footy but we know that we've got to keep working hard and it's a big challenge against Newcastle this week."
"Obviously with them being above us (in 11th place) we can join them this weekend (with a win), so that's one thing that's in our favour ... if you pull two back on them it's like a four-point game."