Wednesday, September 01, 2004
PJ return confirmed
Subject to passing a final medical test, PJ Marsh will be returning to Parramatta next year after signing a two year deal with the Eels.
The signing has been perhaps the worst kept secret in League for some time now and the timing was foreshadowed by a 1Eyed Eel reader today in a user comment. The reader also said Nathan Cayless would re-sign on Thursday, news confirmed by AAP later in the day.
Marsh has not played for more than a year after suffering a serious neck injury, ironically against the Eels in Round 14 last year. He previously played for the Eels and after rising through its lower grades was a key member of the highly successful 2001 squad.
Coach Brian Smith was quoted in a media release as saying: "“PJ left us at the end of the 2001 season as a player with great potential, and he has certainly fulfilled that. He will be a tremendous asset to our Club in 2005 and can play halfback, five eighth or hooker."
Also quoted in the release was CEO Denis Fitzgerald who said: “This is great news for the Club. PJ has established himself as one of the best halfbacks in the game, and adds to the tremendous depth in our playing roster for 2005. PJ will play a vital role in the Parramatta resurgence".
Eels football manager Tony Zappia told AAP that the signing was subject to a final medical clearance.
"All our offers are subject to medical clearances. He's got one more clearance to get through but so far everything has been positive and he's three quarters of the way through it. Probably next week (he'll receive a clearance)."
When asked by AAP if the Eels were concerned about the injury, Zappia said: "I'm not a medical person but everything looks okay, he's got one more set of tests but everything seems to be positive."
Meanwhile, captain Nathan Cayless said in a separate AAP report that the Parramatta recruitment drive augured well for next year.
"It is one of the strongest on paper, but we've got to get out there and play as a team, do a lot of work in the off-season, bring everyone together. We want to get back into the top eight next year and give it a good shake."
Cayless confirmed he would sign for a further two-years on Thursday and also said he wanted to be an Eel for life. "That would be a great honour, something that I aspire to. But it doesn't always turn out the way you want it. If I am playing good enough footy the club will want to keep me."
The return of Marsh, as well as reports that the Eels have signed the Perenara brothers, have led to suggestions that former Warriors coach Daniel Anderson may be involved with the Eels in 2005. It has been speculated in some circles that Brian Smith may move into a role as coaching director with Anderson being made NRL coach. It was announced in the last week that Peter Sharp was already returning to Parramatta as assistant coach.
The signing has been perhaps the worst kept secret in League for some time now and the timing was foreshadowed by a 1Eyed Eel reader today in a user comment. The reader also said Nathan Cayless would re-sign on Thursday, news confirmed by AAP later in the day.
Marsh has not played for more than a year after suffering a serious neck injury, ironically against the Eels in Round 14 last year. He previously played for the Eels and after rising through its lower grades was a key member of the highly successful 2001 squad.
Coach Brian Smith was quoted in a media release as saying: "“PJ left us at the end of the 2001 season as a player with great potential, and he has certainly fulfilled that. He will be a tremendous asset to our Club in 2005 and can play halfback, five eighth or hooker."
Also quoted in the release was CEO Denis Fitzgerald who said: “This is great news for the Club. PJ has established himself as one of the best halfbacks in the game, and adds to the tremendous depth in our playing roster for 2005. PJ will play a vital role in the Parramatta resurgence".
Eels football manager Tony Zappia told AAP that the signing was subject to a final medical clearance.
"All our offers are subject to medical clearances. He's got one more clearance to get through but so far everything has been positive and he's three quarters of the way through it. Probably next week (he'll receive a clearance)."
When asked by AAP if the Eels were concerned about the injury, Zappia said: "I'm not a medical person but everything looks okay, he's got one more set of tests but everything seems to be positive."
Meanwhile, captain Nathan Cayless said in a separate AAP report that the Parramatta recruitment drive augured well for next year.
"It is one of the strongest on paper, but we've got to get out there and play as a team, do a lot of work in the off-season, bring everyone together. We want to get back into the top eight next year and give it a good shake."
Cayless confirmed he would sign for a further two-years on Thursday and also said he wanted to be an Eel for life. "That would be a great honour, something that I aspire to. But it doesn't always turn out the way you want it. If I am playing good enough footy the club will want to keep me."
The return of Marsh, as well as reports that the Eels have signed the Perenara brothers, have led to suggestions that former Warriors coach Daniel Anderson may be involved with the Eels in 2005. It has been speculated in some circles that Brian Smith may move into a role as coaching director with Anderson being made NRL coach. It was announced in the last week that Peter Sharp was already returning to Parramatta as assistant coach.
Comments:
<< Home
Both Henry and Marcus Perenara have officially signed with Parra.
Post a Comment
# posted by 
: September 1, 2004 at 6:47 PM
: September 1, 2004 at 6:47 PM << Home
