Other than Menzies (outstanding for us last year) and (if confirmed) Orford, who might those be?

Manly confirm Orford move: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls Good luck to Deacon.

Manly confirm Orford move: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls Good luck to Deacon.

Yeah I didnt get that one either



With regards to the possible Orford signing, the proof will be in the pudding. But from a Bradford point of view I would prefer Orford starting over Deacon next year.

However, for you guys he will be cover and a great guy to guide your young lads. Suits both clubs in my opinion.

For me, although a long way from competing, we dont have a bad team for next year.

Most un-informative post ever.

AUS$500k for 3 years works out at less than £100k per year for one of the best Aussie halfbacks.

$500K per year. A total of $1.5 Million. I think you'll find that's closer to £300,000 per year. (if the rumoured figures are correct of course)

I think he was making a point of the person he quoted saying it was 500 k for 3 years, even though i would say he was being a bit pedantic.

For once in the past few years it seems things have gone the Bulls way.

Not sure what you mean by that as the post he quoted was:

Matt Orford has signed for Bradford: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls Quote The Manly Sea Eagles today announced the move of 2008 premiership captain and Dally M winner Matt Orford to the English Super League club Bradford Bulls. Orford had been negotiating a new two deal with the Sea Eagles but has decided to take a late offer by Bradford where he will join premiership team mates Steve Menzies, Glenn Hall and Heath L'Estrange. "I always wanted to finish my career in England - this opportunity came earlier than expected but the chance to play with good friends at a club which is on the rise accelerated my decision. "There is nothing sinister in the switch. I could have remained with Manly for two more years but decided the time is right now. I have loved my time with the club since I returned from Melbourne Storm. "It is a wonderful club with fantastic members. I will miss living and playing in the area but a football career is short and I want to satisfy a long held goal to play in England for a couple of seasons. "I'm glad I haven't had a lot of time to consider the switch. My manager came up with the deal, I thought about it and made the best decision for my immediate future. "I wish Manly all the success in the world. They have some good young halfback prospects who deserve an opportunity in the NRL," Orford said '"

Matt Orford has signed for Bradford: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls Quote The Manly Sea Eagles today announced the move of 2008 premiership captain and Dally M winner Matt Orford to the English Super League club Bradford Bulls. Orford had been negotiating a new two deal with the Sea Eagles but has decided to take a late offer by Bradford where he will join premiership team mates Steve Menzies, Glenn Hall and Heath L'Estrange. "I always wanted to finish my career in England - this opportunity came earlier than expected but the chance to play with good friends at a club which is on the rise accelerated my decision. "There is nothing sinister in the switch. I could have remained with Manly for two more years but decided the time is right now. I have loved my time with the club since I returned from Melbourne Storm. "It is a wonderful club with fantastic members. I will miss living and playing in the area but a football career is short and I want to satisfy a long held goal to play in England for a couple of seasons. "I'm glad I haven't had a lot of time to consider the switch. My manager came up with the deal, I thought about it and made the best decision for my immediate future. "I wish Manly all the success in the world. They have some good young halfback prospects who deserve an opportunity in the NRL," Orford said '"

Quote ="ABP'"Matt Orford has signed for Bradford: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls'" Must say I'm very jealous!

Quote ="ABP'"Matt Orford has signed for Bradford: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls'" Must say I'm very jealous!

He's done very well to get a three year deal IMO.

I suppose it's just a matter of time before we announce Deacon...

So we get Deacon, I cant see him not playing at some point, so depends on what his wage is.

I can see some advantages, also some bad points, see how it goes.

But he's not one of the best HB's in Aus! He was gash last season and apart from the one stand out season he's not deserved all the hype he gets. Compare him with other HB's around his age in Lockyer, Trent, Johns, Kimmorley and he's just not at their level even tho some Bradford fans would like you to think he is.

It's not a good signing for Bradford IMO. It's a stop gap at best and i really think they should have signed Brough and tried to build a team round younger guys

He's signed, official announcement on wednesday but probably on the club website before then.

What I am happy about is that it was very unlikely we would sign anyone due to the cap, IL and the team must of been working their balls off to get this deal done! The thing I am not happy about is could we of got a decent prop for the same wage?

Are you serious about that question?

Define decent

Now think about a 30 year old who's been injured plenty for 2 years and is allegedly looking to get into coaching coming to a club who have a coach that's won the past 2 reserve grand finals, and a head coach that's extremely well qualified and served 5 years under Bellamy - quite an attractive proposition. And when you really want to work somewhere because you feel it will be good for your future (which is looking all but over at your current club as a player), you'd probably take a deal on terms in the new clubs favour.

You wont get a decent prop who's gonna teach Tomkins how to direct a team around the pitch, Good signing in my opinion with more than one eye on the developement of Tomkins...
I think Deacon will play a lot more than most people on here seem to think possibly regularly coming off the bench with Lu Lu moving to hooker to give piggy a rest ..

Yes i know u have Mcilorum but i just think this move is designed solely for Tomkins developement on the pitch more than off it and maybe Mcilorum could miss out in the short term ..

It's a great signing for Bradford because they need a lift and they need a world class halfback but i'm happy with our lot in that position and we didn't need to sign a big money half.

What we need is an experienced head who can calm the side down at times and has an intelligent kicking game. The club obviously want to improve the coaching set up and to have a local element to it.

Everyones happy for me.

micky mc was awsome last year and he s a good prospect i d have him over piggy any day put piggy to prop i say he played there lot for the eels when i watched him

Quote ="wire78"You wont get a decent prop who's gonna teach Tomkins how to direct a team around the pitch, Good signing in my opinion with more than one eye on the developement of Tomkins... I think Deacon will play a lot more than most people on here seem to think possibly regularly coming off the bench with Lu Lu moving to hooker to give piggy a rest .. Yes i know u have Mcilorum but i just think this move is designed solely for Tomkins developement on the pitch more than off it and maybe Mcilorum could miss out in the short term ..'" I think that's a fair assessment, people really under value what other players can do to aid the development of a young player, just look at: www.wiganrl.com/news_full.asp?newsid=5291 Clearly shows that Sam trys to learn from any situation (not just the coaches). Having a player around with vast SL experience who's had a great kicking game (something Sam needs to continue to develop) can only be a good thing

Quote ="wire78"You wont get a decent prop who's gonna teach Tomkins how to direct a team around the pitch, Good signing in my opinion with more than one eye on the developement of Tomkins... I think Deacon will play a lot more than most people on here seem to think possibly regularly coming off the bench with Lu Lu moving to hooker to give piggy a rest .. Yes i know u have Mcilorum but i just think this move is designed solely for Tomkins developement on the pitch more than off it and maybe Mcilorum could miss out in the short term ..'" I think that's a fair assessment, people really under value what other players can do to aid the development of a young player, just look at: www.wiganrl.com/news_full.asp?newsid=5291 Clearly shows that Sam trys to learn from any situation (not just the coaches). Having a player around with vast SL experience who's had a great kicking game (something Sam needs to continue to develop) can only be a good thing

In reply to CAM I think you should read the full post especially the first couple of lines where I say 500,000 a year for 3 years, I would think this is quite plain to most people.

I've been banging for a while that i'd like to see McIlorum get a run in the second row(if he's not getting picked at hooker). He's a strong lad with a good engine and can get about the pitch. He hits like a train in defence and could preform well in that position imo.

Whatever happens the squad has some really good compatition about it at the moment.

And tbh, the whatever Deacon can do to help develop Sam, Joe Mellor etc can equally be applied to McIlorum - hookers need a passing and kicking game as much as half backs.

And that works out at £280,000 per year at todays exchange rate of
£1 = A$1.78

And that for a player who will be 32 at the start of the 2010 Superleague season.

£840,000 over three years. That's what - around 270k a season? In a world of a £1.6 million salary cap?

Even if he returns to his former self that's a massive investment in one player. One I'm certainly glad Wigan didn't make. If he continues with his terrible form of 2009, it could be the most expensive flop in SL history. Its a risk.

I do hope he goes well for them though, it would be nice to see Bradford become a force in SL again - the competition needs its big clubs to be as strong as they can be.

I really hope he does go well for Bradford, SL need a strong Bradford side. I'm just damn glad we didn't go for him.