Ballin is a happy hooker at Eagles Print E-mail

Tags: Ballin | Brookvale Oval | Manly | NRL | Sea Eagles

Wednesday, 20 August 2008 08:31
MANLY hooker Matt Ballin is set to knock back offers from rival NRL clubs and remain at the Sea Eagles.

Ballin's manager George Mimis is currently in talks with the Sea Eagles about a four-season deal which could see the rake remain at the club until the end of the 2012 season.

The Broncos' junior has generated interest from several clubs but is tipped to knock back all overtures and remain at Brookvale Oval.
"It's certainly very close," Manly boss Grant Mayer said yesterday of negotiations.

"It's a matter of working out the length of the contract.

"I think he's made it quite clear he wants to stay and we want to keep him.

"It's a matter of making it all fit within the salary cap."

Ballin made his top-grade debut for the Sea Eagles with a man-of-the-match effort against the Wests Tigers in round two last year.

But with ex-Manly captain Michael Monaghan in the pack, the Kingaroy junior was always going to play second fiddle.

Monaghan's departure in the summer to Warrington in the English Super League paved the way for Ballin to find a permanent place in Manly's pack this year.

Ballin has previously expressed interest in returning to his junior club at some point, but has always wanted to remain at Manly.

"It's always been a home for me up there (Brisbane), but at the moment I really want to stay at Manly," he said.

"Definitely at the moment Manly is my team and I'm happy here."
Last Updated ( Friday, 22 August 2008 11:45 )