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OFF-CONTRACT premiership winning veteran Luke O'Donnell will get a 2014 NRL swansong but it might not be with the Roosters.
One of the few players to make a successful return to the NRL after being put out to pasture in the English Super League, the former Cowboy enforcer’s career will continue with two club’s ready to swoop should the Roosters fail to offer him a deal.
With the sweet taste of premiership success whetting his appetite for one more year, O’Donnell has delayed retirement and is negotiating a new deal.
"He is going to play again," said O’Donnell's manager Wayne Beavis.
"He had a great year and wants to continue. There is no reason why he should stop."
The Roosters, however, may not be able to fit O’Donnell into their ever expanding salary cap and the back-rower turned prop could become a victim of their success. But O’Donnell, 32, will not be forced out with two Sydney club’s ready to swoop in a bid to stiffen up their pack with the no-nonsense forward famous for headbutting Dave Taylor before attempting to take on the entire Queensland Origin squad.
"There are a couple of clubs interested in him," said Beavis.
"But his first choice of course is the Roosters. He wants to stay at the club he just won a premiership and hopefully that will happen. We are talking but this is also a business and they have to be able to fit him in. We understand that and there are plenty of options there if he can’t stay with the Roosters."
O’Donnell was instrumental in helping the Roosters to their fairy-tale premiership with the four club journey man helping steel the young pack. The 103kg firebrand was a last minute addition to the squad after new coach Trent Robinson snared him from the Super League for his starch. The Roosters have shed Martin Kennedy to the Brisbane Broncos but will retain their premiership winning team after officially re-signing Sonny Bill Williams.
The retention of the Kiwi superstar, and back ended deals to the likes of Michael Jennings, will leave little salary cap cash for O’Donnell making a move likely.
O’Donnell will only link with a Sydney club having set up home in the harbour city since returning from his stint with the Huddersfield Giants.
The Roosters have also been linked to Raider’s runaway Blake Ferguson, but there is little chance of that happening unless another back is shown the door
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/pre...-1226743058195
One of the few players to make a successful return to the NRL after being put out to pasture in the English Super League, the former Cowboy enforcer’s career will continue with two club’s ready to swoop should the Roosters fail to offer him a deal.
With the sweet taste of premiership success whetting his appetite for one more year, O’Donnell has delayed retirement and is negotiating a new deal.
"He is going to play again," said O’Donnell's manager Wayne Beavis.
"He had a great year and wants to continue. There is no reason why he should stop."
The Roosters, however, may not be able to fit O’Donnell into their ever expanding salary cap and the back-rower turned prop could become a victim of their success. But O’Donnell, 32, will not be forced out with two Sydney club’s ready to swoop in a bid to stiffen up their pack with the no-nonsense forward famous for headbutting Dave Taylor before attempting to take on the entire Queensland Origin squad.
"There are a couple of clubs interested in him," said Beavis.
"But his first choice of course is the Roosters. He wants to stay at the club he just won a premiership and hopefully that will happen. We are talking but this is also a business and they have to be able to fit him in. We understand that and there are plenty of options there if he can’t stay with the Roosters."
O’Donnell was instrumental in helping the Roosters to their fairy-tale premiership with the four club journey man helping steel the young pack. The 103kg firebrand was a last minute addition to the squad after new coach Trent Robinson snared him from the Super League for his starch. The Roosters have shed Martin Kennedy to the Brisbane Broncos but will retain their premiership winning team after officially re-signing Sonny Bill Williams.
The retention of the Kiwi superstar, and back ended deals to the likes of Michael Jennings, will leave little salary cap cash for O’Donnell making a move likely.
O’Donnell will only link with a Sydney club having set up home in the harbour city since returning from his stint with the Huddersfield Giants.
The Roosters have also been linked to Raider’s runaway Blake Ferguson, but there is little chance of that happening unless another back is shown the door
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/pre...-1226743058195
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