Quote:

 

EELS chief executive Paul Osborne claims the Bulldogs have ''problems in their recruitment and development'' as a new tug of war emerges over a Parramatta playmaker.

The Sun-Herald can reveal that the Bulldogs have earmarked Kris Keating as a potential long-term replacement for Brett Kimmorley should they miss out on another Eels target, five-eighth Daniel Mortimer.

Mortimer and Keating are off contract at the end of the season and the Eels will struggle to retain them both, particularly given the Bulldogs' interest.

The Mortimer name is synonymous with the Bulldogs following the exploits of Steve, Chris and Peter, who is Daniel's father.

Bulldogs chief Todd Greenberg has made no secret of his desire to poach Daniel from his arch rivals, but the latest development has raised tensions between the camps.

It comes on the back of the Bulldogs' recently expressing interest in Parramatta players Feleti Mateo and Krisnan Inu.

''They clearly have some problems in their recruitment and development that they need to sort out,'' Osborne said.

''I suspected they'd be interested in Kris - I'm not surprised.

''I'm not too worried about the Bulldogs circling. It just reaffirms what a good system we've got here. It fills me with a lot of pride that we're doing such a good job.

''They probably need to spend more money on their junior programs instead of trying to sign our kids.

''I like to help Toddy out as much as I can, but that might be stretching the friendship.''

Mortimer is one of the game's most promising young stars after an outstanding rookie season. The 20-year-old helped to steer Parramatta to an unlikely grand final appearance and will be one of the most sought-after players on the open market.

Local junior Keating, meanwhile, was one of the Eels' best players during a horrible start to 2009. However, the Australian Schoolboys half broke his jaw in round 10 against Manly, which brought his season to a premature end.

''We've got a list of players that are in an interest section of a spreadsheet and [Keating's] name is on it,'' Greenberg confirmed.

''We haven't made any approaches or offers to him, but we've identified him as a player of interest.''

Told of Osborne's comments about the Bulldogs' development policy, Greenberg said: ''We'll let Paul run the Eels and we'll do our best to run the Bulldogs.''

Osborne said he hoped to retain both his home-grown products.

''Obviously the salary cap makes it hard to keep everyone, but we've got a really good group of players here, there's a good buzz around the place,'' he said.

''It would be difficult for anyone who's been here for a long time to pack up and leave.

''Kris Keating is a great kid, he's a Parra junior and he's here. We're hopeful that he'll stay. We've already had some preliminary discussions with his manager.''

Rod Farva

Feb 7 2010, 11:55 AM

Deadset who don't the Doggies want from Parramatta :rofl:

All them came through the junior systems too ;)

Lloyd Christmas

Feb 7 2010, 12:53 PM

LMAO.....it is great to see Osborne being schooled by the master that is Todd Greenberg.

Anyone would think the Eels haven't bought anyone....if their junior talent was so brilliant then why are they having to bring in players such as Shackleton, Poore and Tahu but they let go of Paulo, Wright, Latimore and Tautai.

Rod Farva

Feb 7 2010, 11:55 AM

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/eels-dogs-fight-over-keating-20100206-njrf.html

Quote:

 

EELS chief executive Paul Osborne claims the Bulldogs have ''problems in their recruitment and development'' as a new tug of war emerges over a Parramatta playmaker.

The Sun-Herald can reveal that the Bulldogs have earmarked Kris Keating as a potential long-term replacement for Brett Kimmorley should they miss out on another Eels target, five-eighth Daniel Mortimer.

Mortimer and Keating are off contract at the end of the season and the Eels will struggle to retain them both, particularly given the Bulldogs' interest.

The Mortimer name is synonymous with the Bulldogs following the exploits of Steve, Chris and Peter, who is Daniel's father.

Bulldogs chief Todd Greenberg has made no secret of his desire to poach Daniel from his arch rivals, but the latest development has raised tensions between the camps.

It comes on the back of the Bulldogs' recently expressing interest in Parramatta players Feleti Mateo and Krisnan Inu.

''They clearly have some problems in their recruitment and development that they need to sort out,'' Osborne said.

''I suspected they'd be interested in Kris - I'm not surprised.

''I'm not too worried about the Bulldogs circling. It just reaffirms what a good system we've got here. It fills me with a lot of pride that we're doing such a good job.

''They probably need to spend more money on their junior programs instead of trying to sign our kids.

''I like to help Toddy out as much as I can, but that might be stretching the friendship.''

Mortimer is one of the game's most promising young stars after an outstanding rookie season. The 20-year-old helped to steer Parramatta to an unlikely grand final appearance and will be one of the most sought-after players on the open market.

Local junior Keating, meanwhile, was one of the Eels' best players during a horrible start to 2009. However, the Australian Schoolboys half broke his jaw in round 10 against Manly, which brought his season to a premature end.

''We've got a list of players that are in an interest section of a spreadsheet and [Keating's] name is on it,'' Greenberg confirmed.

''We haven't made any approaches or offers to him, but we've identified him as a player of interest.''

Told of Osborne's comments about the Bulldogs' development policy, Greenberg said: ''We'll let Paul run the Eels and we'll do our best to run the Bulldogs.''

Osborne said he hoped to retain both his home-grown products.

''Obviously the salary cap makes it hard to keep everyone, but we've got a really good group of players here, there's a good buzz around the place,'' he said.

''It would be difficult for anyone who's been here for a long time to pack up and leave.

''Kris Keating is a great kid, he's a Parra junior and he's here. We're hopeful that he'll stay. We've already had some preliminary discussions with his manager.''

Deadset who don't the Doggies want from Parramatta :rofl:

All them came through the junior systems too ;)

Phat

Feb 8 2010, 03:34 AM

Deadset, who DIDN'T the Eels get from the Dogs to turn them into a competitive side in the 90s.

While obviously Scott Mahon would have led them to semi-final glory on his own, your club had to go and recruit three quarters of the Bulldogs' side to speed up the process.

Mavfan

Feb 8 2010, 03:46 AM

Yeah I heard 250k myself, overpaid big time. He's a tough bloke but went missing last year after signing that big contract. He did absolutely nothing for Easts for years and then turned up in his contract year.

You better hope Anderson gets the best out of him.

Rod Farva

Feb 8 2010, 03:49 AM

Mavfan

Feb 8 2010, 03:46 AM

Yeah I heard 250k myself, overpaid big time. He's a tough bloke but went missing last year after signing that big contract. He did absolutely nothing for Easts for years and then turned up in his contract year.

You better hope Anderson gets the best out of him.

I thought his form dropped off towards the end of last year myself. Tho with nothing to play for and the discontent with Fittler it's not hard to be uninterested.

I think he will go ok and perform the role he has been signed for.