Loading
45 views
Finch set to Head to Storm
Page 1
(items) 1–14 of 14
18By Andrew Webster
April 10, 2009 Melbourne Storm have boldly declared they want Brett Finch to join them as a five-eighth for the remainder of the season - and possibly longer.
After Finch and the Eels reached an amicable settlement - rumoured to be $100,000 - the Storm immediately indicated Finch was the man to fill out the No.6 jumper so Greg Inglis could return to the centres.
"Absolutely, we're interested," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said.
"It's no secret that we've had our issues at five-eighth and whether Greg Inglis is best suited in the position.
"Brett would fit the bill perfectly, and it would allow Greg to move back to the centres."
If Finch moved to Melbourne, it would likely be a short-term deal under the second-tier salary cap.
And it would be similar to the one Finch's close friend Clint Newton signed during their premiership season in 2007 after he was shown the door by coach Brian Smith at the Knights.
Yet the Storm aren't ruling out the possibility of signing Finch for longer, despite their bulging salary cap beyond this year.
"We have been waiting for him to reach a settlement with Parramatta," Ponissi said.
"Now that it has, we'll look at seeing what we can do about making him an offer - either on a short or long-term basis."
It is understood that Finch was paid out for the remainder of this season - the first of a three-year deal worth $1million - but not for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
It means he is backing himself to earn a start in the NRL or overseas so he can recoup some of the $1million deal he has turned his back on.
A start in the UK Super League seems most likely after this year and several overseas clubs have already registered their interest with Finch's manager, Steve Gillis, including Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown.
"We are always looking for quality players like Brett Finch," Brown told The Daily Telegraph.
After working out a deal with the Eels, Finch questioned the wisdom of Eels coach Daniel Anderson's decision to push him out.
"I certainly think I'm the man to do the job there," Finch said. "Ando's the coach and it's his call. I've got no problems with that.
"I appreciate him being forthright. We're only four games into the season.
"I know my form's not great, but that's a reflection on the team. I'm not on my own there.
"(Former Eels coach) Michael Hagan was a fan of me, he got me to the club.
"My game suited his style. You can't expect to suit every coach's style. I appreciated Daniel's honesty. But I didn't think after four games that it would be all over. That the opinion would be formed so quickly."
Finch has also been heavily linked to Penrith, although club boss Mick Leary pleaded ignorance when contacted. It is believed coach Matt Elliott has privately dismissed the idea, too.
"My preference is to stay in the NRL, but going to England is not an issue," he said.
Anderson gave Finch the opportunity to address his teammates during a closed session at Parramatta Stadium afternoon, but declined when the negotiation of his release stalled during the day.
Finch insited he held no animosity towards the club.
"I could've accepted my fate and collected my million over three years in reserve grade," he said. "But I don't want that. The club doesn't want that.
"I understand if we do it now, it frees up money under the salary cap for them.
"If Ando didn't want me and I waited it our in reserve grade, it's not going to help me."
____________________________-
I would be very happy to see him there. Would complement Cronk well but i see a few power struggles[/b]
April 10, 2009 Melbourne Storm have boldly declared they want Brett Finch to join them as a five-eighth for the remainder of the season - and possibly longer.
After Finch and the Eels reached an amicable settlement - rumoured to be $100,000 - the Storm immediately indicated Finch was the man to fill out the No.6 jumper so Greg Inglis could return to the centres.
"Absolutely, we're interested," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said.
"It's no secret that we've had our issues at five-eighth and whether Greg Inglis is best suited in the position.
"Brett would fit the bill perfectly, and it would allow Greg to move back to the centres."
If Finch moved to Melbourne, it would likely be a short-term deal under the second-tier salary cap.
And it would be similar to the one Finch's close friend Clint Newton signed during their premiership season in 2007 after he was shown the door by coach Brian Smith at the Knights.
Yet the Storm aren't ruling out the possibility of signing Finch for longer, despite their bulging salary cap beyond this year.
"We have been waiting for him to reach a settlement with Parramatta," Ponissi said.
"Now that it has, we'll look at seeing what we can do about making him an offer - either on a short or long-term basis."
It is understood that Finch was paid out for the remainder of this season - the first of a three-year deal worth $1million - but not for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
It means he is backing himself to earn a start in the NRL or overseas so he can recoup some of the $1million deal he has turned his back on.
A start in the UK Super League seems most likely after this year and several overseas clubs have already registered their interest with Finch's manager, Steve Gillis, including Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown.
"We are always looking for quality players like Brett Finch," Brown told The Daily Telegraph.
After working out a deal with the Eels, Finch questioned the wisdom of Eels coach Daniel Anderson's decision to push him out.
"I certainly think I'm the man to do the job there," Finch said. "Ando's the coach and it's his call. I've got no problems with that.
"I appreciate him being forthright. We're only four games into the season.
"I know my form's not great, but that's a reflection on the team. I'm not on my own there.
"(Former Eels coach) Michael Hagan was a fan of me, he got me to the club.
"My game suited his style. You can't expect to suit every coach's style. I appreciated Daniel's honesty. But I didn't think after four games that it would be all over. That the opinion would be formed so quickly."
Finch has also been heavily linked to Penrith, although club boss Mick Leary pleaded ignorance when contacted. It is believed coach Matt Elliott has privately dismissed the idea, too.
"My preference is to stay in the NRL, but going to England is not an issue," he said.
Anderson gave Finch the opportunity to address his teammates during a closed session at Parramatta Stadium afternoon, but declined when the negotiation of his release stalled during the day.
Finch insited he held no animosity towards the club.
"I could've accepted my fate and collected my million over three years in reserve grade," he said. "But I don't want that. The club doesn't want that.
"I understand if we do it now, it frees up money under the salary cap for them.
"If Ando didn't want me and I waited it our in reserve grade, it's not going to help me."
____________________________-
I would be very happy to see him there. Would complement Cronk well but i see a few power struggles[/b]
Hope it works out - could be very good for me, from an NNRL perspective if it does.
I wonder, is the brown paper bag used to pay Finch's salary for the year direct from the NRL or are Melbourne expected to raise it by themselves??
Inglis to the centres.
Certainly makes the storm more dangerous imo.
Certainly makes the storm more dangerous imo.
YIPPEE!!!!!
And the Tigers are over the cap? Poor management or honesty?
And the Tigers are over the cap? Poor management or honesty?
-Mock
Storm:
Gains: Ryan Hinchcliffe (2010)
Losses: Israel Folau (Broncos), Sam Tagataese (Titans), Michael Crocker (ESL - Hull FC), Jeremy Smith (Dragons)
Storm will look good now with Finch but they don't have that many potential high earners. Inglis, Smith, Slater would be on heaps.
Then there is a gap towards Cronk, Hoffman, Johnson, White, Quinn etc
They gained Wairangi Koopu as well.
Folau only left cos he wanted to go back home to Brisbane (and the fame and fortune there, as opposed to anonymity in Melbourne), it didn't seem like they couldn't afford him.
Folau only left cos he wanted to go back home to Brisbane (and the fame and fortune there, as opposed to anonymity in Melbourne), it didn't seem like they couldn't afford him.
They had to cut those players in re signing Slater, Inglis, Cronk and Smith. They have already had to let Chambers go next year to stay under for 2010.
They had next to no cap room left. As I understand it he signed a second tier deal for peanuts. He basically took Taumata's deal. He was willing to do this because the Eels paid him out for this year. He wont be able to stay beyond 09. Much like Newton in 07.
They had next to no cap room left. As I understand it he signed a second tier deal for peanuts. He basically took Taumata's deal. He was willing to do this because the Eels paid him out for this year. He wont be able to stay beyond 09. Much like Newton in 07.
Oh true. Yeah I had forgotten Taumata. I know you said Peanuts Guv, but do you think his contract was that small? I would have guessed at least 80K, peanuts perhaps for Finch but still a bit of money considering the season is already 5 weeks over plus pre-season etc.
Oh true. Yeah I had forgotten Taumata. I know you said Peanuts Guv, but do you think his contract was that small? I would have guessed at least 80K, peanuts perhaps for Finch but still a bit of money considering the season is already 5 weeks over plus pre-season etc.
-NUFAN
50K if you can believe the news reports.
Whats a second tier deal?
Page 1
(items) 1–14 of 14
