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pffft ... just to beat up a grudge match if you ask me:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...0327-r3z1.html
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...0327-r3z1.html
Revelation Roosters tried to poach Idris sure to fire up Dogs
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
March 28, 2010
IT'S not often the Roosters miss out on their man.
But for the Bondi Junction club, Jamal Idris is the one who got away.
The Sun-Herald can reveal that the Roosters launched a serious bid to sign the 19-year-old dreadlocked giant before he burst onto the NRL scene. And in a development sure to raise tensions before today's clash at ANZ Stadium, a Bulldogs source claimed the Roosters tried to sign him after he had agreed to remain with Canterbury.
''The Roosters had a nibble at him even when we had him on contract,'' the source said. ''It's lucky for us the kid did the right thing and stayed with the club that gave him his opportunity.''
Roosters recruitment guru Peter O'Sullivan confirmed that Idris was on their radar, but that the cashed-up club could not poach him because of his contractual status.
''We certainly showed some interest in him, but he was never off contract,'' O'Sullivan said. ''It was before last year, before he started playing first grade. It was never going to happen because they upgraded and 'extended' him.
''He's a terrific player, so skilful, he was outstanding.'' Asked whether the player who got away could haunt the club today, O'Sullivan said: ''We never had him, so he can't bite us.''
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said: ''I'm unaware if that was the case, but I'd be extremely disappointed in another club looking to engage a player who is currently in a long-term contract.''
The development is sure to add further spice to a match played between two bitter rivals. The tensions were at their highest after the tri-colours poached a number of players including Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Braith Anasta, Nate Myles and Nick Kouparitsas.
The stakes have been raised with the Bulldogs opening the season with two losses. Despite the ordinary start, coach Kevin Moore believes his charges are capable of bouncing back against a white-hot Roosters outfit.
''Our focus is to play good footy,'' he said. ''You can think too much about the position you're in and how you're playing. While the Dragons were much the better side last week, particularly in the first 15 minutes, we showed some promising signs.
''We hung in there and created some opportunities. It was just our execution that let us down.
''We're just concentrating on a good start and playing the footy that we're capable of.''
Idris was not the only Bulldog on the radar of rival clubs. It is understood Celtic Crusaders, in desperate need of a half, recently approached Blake Green about an immediate release, but the Dogs were keen for him to stay. The Welsh club subsequently signed Penrith utility Jarrod Sammut to a three-year deal.
''We signed Blake as a bloke who we believed could play a really good role as a back-up to Noddy [Brett Kimmorley] and he did a competent job for us last week,'' Moore said. ''I thought he played OK and he's kept a spot in the 17 for this week. He's an important part of our roster.''
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
March 28, 2010
IT'S not often the Roosters miss out on their man.
But for the Bondi Junction club, Jamal Idris is the one who got away.
The Sun-Herald can reveal that the Roosters launched a serious bid to sign the 19-year-old dreadlocked giant before he burst onto the NRL scene. And in a development sure to raise tensions before today's clash at ANZ Stadium, a Bulldogs source claimed the Roosters tried to sign him after he had agreed to remain with Canterbury.
''The Roosters had a nibble at him even when we had him on contract,'' the source said. ''It's lucky for us the kid did the right thing and stayed with the club that gave him his opportunity.''
Roosters recruitment guru Peter O'Sullivan confirmed that Idris was on their radar, but that the cashed-up club could not poach him because of his contractual status.
''We certainly showed some interest in him, but he was never off contract,'' O'Sullivan said. ''It was before last year, before he started playing first grade. It was never going to happen because they upgraded and 'extended' him.
''He's a terrific player, so skilful, he was outstanding.'' Asked whether the player who got away could haunt the club today, O'Sullivan said: ''We never had him, so he can't bite us.''
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said: ''I'm unaware if that was the case, but I'd be extremely disappointed in another club looking to engage a player who is currently in a long-term contract.''
The development is sure to add further spice to a match played between two bitter rivals. The tensions were at their highest after the tri-colours poached a number of players including Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Braith Anasta, Nate Myles and Nick Kouparitsas.
The stakes have been raised with the Bulldogs opening the season with two losses. Despite the ordinary start, coach Kevin Moore believes his charges are capable of bouncing back against a white-hot Roosters outfit.
''Our focus is to play good footy,'' he said. ''You can think too much about the position you're in and how you're playing. While the Dragons were much the better side last week, particularly in the first 15 minutes, we showed some promising signs.
''We hung in there and created some opportunities. It was just our execution that let us down.
''We're just concentrating on a good start and playing the footy that we're capable of.''
Idris was not the only Bulldog on the radar of rival clubs. It is understood Celtic Crusaders, in desperate need of a half, recently approached Blake Green about an immediate release, but the Dogs were keen for him to stay. The Welsh club subsequently signed Penrith utility Jarrod Sammut to a three-year deal.
''We signed Blake as a bloke who we believed could play a really good role as a back-up to Noddy [Brett Kimmorley] and he did a competent job for us last week,'' Moore said. ''I thought he played OK and he's kept a spot in the 17 for this week. He's an important part of our roster.''
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