ManlyBacker
Winging it
THE Sea Eagles have closed their books on approaching any new players for the 2011 NRL season.
Manly CEO Graham Lowe - the book is closed.
With the departure of Josh Perry (St Helens), Trent Hodkinson (Eels) and Ben Farrar (Catalans), it was expected Manly would pick up a cheap buy to fill the gaps.
Even club great Steve Menzies was mooted as a possible recruit, but he too will join Catalans to close out his career.
Manly CEO Graham Lowe has now confirmed to The Manly Daily the club will not pursue any players for next winter.
“We are not looking for anyone,” he said.
With the likes of Jamie Buhrer, William Hopoate and Michael Oldfield all making their NRL debuts in 2010, the Sea Eagles are leaning on a youth policy next year.
Untried Sunshine Coast half Daly Cherry-Evans is another youngster likely to step up into the vacant halfback position.
While players are not on the radar for next year, Lowe is on the search for a new sponsor.
Two years ago the Sea Eagles were dodging sponsors on their way to winning the 2008 NRL premiership.
Now, the club is still without a major backer for next year’s season with options running thing.
“It’s very difficult out there at the moment,” Lowe said.
“We’ve got to find one, it’s as simple as that. I’m concerned at the timing of it, that’s the difficult part. Finding a sponsor is all about building relationships, these things don’t just happen overnight.
“It’s not something we can fast-track.”
Lowe said approaching club owners Max Delmege, Scott Penn and Manly-Warringah League’s Club is not an option. “The role in many ways of the CEO has changed, we are more a professional beggar these days,” he said.
Lowe said Centrebet will not step in as a major sponsor, but will maintain its place as a jersey sponsor. Quantum, the Sea Eagles’ major sponsor for the past two seasons, will not be back in 2011.
Manly CEO Graham Lowe - the book is closed.
With the departure of Josh Perry (St Helens), Trent Hodkinson (Eels) and Ben Farrar (Catalans), it was expected Manly would pick up a cheap buy to fill the gaps.
Even club great Steve Menzies was mooted as a possible recruit, but he too will join Catalans to close out his career.
Manly CEO Graham Lowe has now confirmed to The Manly Daily the club will not pursue any players for next winter.
“We are not looking for anyone,” he said.
With the likes of Jamie Buhrer, William Hopoate and Michael Oldfield all making their NRL debuts in 2010, the Sea Eagles are leaning on a youth policy next year.
Untried Sunshine Coast half Daly Cherry-Evans is another youngster likely to step up into the vacant halfback position.
While players are not on the radar for next year, Lowe is on the search for a new sponsor.
Two years ago the Sea Eagles were dodging sponsors on their way to winning the 2008 NRL premiership.
Now, the club is still without a major backer for next year’s season with options running thing.
“It’s very difficult out there at the moment,” Lowe said.
“We’ve got to find one, it’s as simple as that. I’m concerned at the timing of it, that’s the difficult part. Finding a sponsor is all about building relationships, these things don’t just happen overnight.
“It’s not something we can fast-track.”
Lowe said approaching club owners Max Delmege, Scott Penn and Manly-Warringah League’s Club is not an option. “The role in many ways of the CEO has changed, we are more a professional beggar these days,” he said.
Lowe said Centrebet will not step in as a major sponsor, but will maintain its place as a jersey sponsor. Quantum, the Sea Eagles’ major sponsor for the past two seasons, will not be back in 2011.
