Sea Eagles sign Chris Bailey for 3 Seasons

[mcatt]

22/05/2008 - By Manly Sea Eagles


The Manly Sea Eagles today won the keen contest to sign outstanding young Newcastle Knights five eighth Chris Bailey for three seasons from 2009.

Bailey has been in great form for the opening few months of the premiership and was earmarked as a priority signature by the Sea Eagles who have been keen on signing him for some time.

The 24 year old Inverell junior scored three tries in Newcastle's 38-26 loss to Wests Tigers in Newcastle last Sunday.

Bailey debuted for Newcastle in 2006 and had played 13 games in the NRL prior to the 2007 season. His elder brother Phil Bailey formerly played with Manly and the Northern Eagles before switching to the Cronulla Sharks and Wigan in the English Super League.

"I'm delighted my future beyond this season is now settled. The Knights have been great to me and they will get everything I have for the rest of the season. It was a tough decision to make but the chance to play at Manly where my brother had such wonderful success was a big influence as was the entire set up and professionalism.

"But for now I'm a Knight and I am looking forward to the continuation of the success we have had so far in the premiership," Bailey said.

Bailey's manager Wayne Beavis said the specialist five eighth was sought after by four other clubs as well as the Knights.

Manly coach Des Hasler said he regarded Bailey as an outstanding player.

"He is a talent we have had our eye on for some time. It hasn't been a surprise to us to see the football he has been playing lately.

"We wish him well for the rest of the season with the Knights and look forward to him joining us next season," Hasler said.

http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au/news.asp?newsid=3212

 

[Canteen Worker]

Sunday showed me he has some ability. Looks like a good signing but he wouldn't have broken the bank!!

 

[eggson]

This is really looking far but given the talk lately... Bailey will be 28 when he's off contract and Foran will be 20/21.  Pretty interesting. 

I wonder if Manly were thinking of snaring Campese at all. 

In any case, it's looking like Bell won't be here next year.  I should really look up when our current players finish their contracts.  I mean, say Lyon ends his contract next year, what's the guarantee he'll re-sign?  Obviously if we win the premiership then it's a top chance, but with any good player going off contract, there's always two or so clubs interested with big dollars, plus the super league with a thousand times more!

But i'm pretty damn happy we got to sign someone we were after for once.  And what's that, we've taken three Knights players now, and look what the last two have done for us!

Manly rules now and way into the future

 

[Matabele]

good

 

[Ryan]

Interesting purchase. I'm neither here nor there. I dunno - I just can't get past that filth that was his brother.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Manly coach Des Hasler said he regarded Bailey as an outstanding player.

\"He is a talent we have had our eye on for some time. It hasn't been a surprise to us to see the football he has been playing lately.



http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au/news.asp?newsid=3212

well there you go, He will be a Dessie favorite

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

next signing should be Liam Foran from the Storm for the 2010 season when Ox leaves

 

[DSM5]

I'd prefered Campese, but then again I think he really prefers the Canberra air.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Let's hope he isn't a grub like his brother.

I can't help thinking this is a depth signing because he is about 3rd string in Newcastle isn't he ? I must admit I haven't seen him play this season so can't really offer a comment on his ability. Anyone had a good look at him ?

 

[Jatz Crackers]

This is a good signing. I dont believe its for depth.

He definitely has talent and I thats been somewhat stifled at Newcastle with Dureau & Mullen ahead of him.

I predict he will be one of the most valuable purchases weve made in recent years. $165k will seem like peanuts by 2012. 

 

[willstyles]

If the money is true and he's signed on for about 165k, then it's great value. That's considerably less than Bell is on, and it allows Killer to go to his best position.

Bailey is no world-beater and not a natural 5/8, but he is a good honest player who has shown this year he's got some ball-playing ability.

 

[DVS Matt]

browsed the newcastle forum at LU and whilst they're not shattered....they do think of him reasonably highly (pest passing game in Newcastle and excellent defence)

i have always thought he was pretty average, but hope to be proved wrong

 

[eggson]

I guess past/current form of a player we've just bought is nothing too much to go on - people were all concerned of people like BK, Perry or Le'Strange and look how they went!  They may just be average but if the coaching staff sees potential, then they can be molded into something way better in the off season and blow everyone away in the new year

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Let's hope he isn't a grub like his brother.

I can't help thinking this is a depth signing because he is about 3rd string in Newcastle isn't he ? I must admit I haven't seen him play this season so can't really offer a comment on his ability. Anyone had a good look at him ?

I have been following him reasonably close CC, and i reckon he has something about. I 1st noticed him about 2-3 years ago and thought he had a bit of ability, and every time i have seen him since he has produced something that suggests he could be a classy player.

Dureau was back fit again last week, and could only get a bench spot because they stuck with Bailey and Mullen in the halves.

 

[Ryan]

browsed the newcastle forum at LU and whilst they're not shattered....they do think of him reasonably highly (pest passing game in Newcastle and excellent defence)

i have always thought he was pretty average, but hope to be proved wrong

I'm with you dude. Average player that is 25, and has just started playing 1st grade really.
I actually think
Stewart
Robbo
Matai
Bani
Williams
Lyon
Orford

Could do the job, and we spend big on a Beaver replacement.

Don't say that at MSE though - they'll hang you for it.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Gee you are easily pleased. Williams has played two games and he is already pushing Bani out of his spot. Have you ever seen Bani play centre ?? Centre is a bit different to playing on the wing, it's not quite as straight forward and your defence needs to be rock solid. If they are buying Bailey to play 5/8 so that Lyon can go to centre then I'm all for it. He doesn't have to be a world beater as long as he doesn't let anyone down. He couldn't be any more 1 dimensional than Travis Burns FFS. Let's face it, the club isn't exactly overflowing with halves talent.

$165K is only about average wage for a first grader so he isn't exactly breaking the bank.

 

[DVS Matt]

average wage for a 1st grade player is like 90-100k or something i read

 

[c_eagle]

We need a guy who can stand on the opposite side of the ruck to Orford and be a genuine option in the defense's mind.

We need a guy who can pass the ball to Lyon as early as possible.

We need a guy who gives Matai's line running a quality pass.

We need a guy who's kicking game is good enough for Orford to have some space.

Everything else is a bonus. Is Bailey this player?

 

[DVS Matt]

From what i can see:

1) He has a good passing game (when he decides to use it)
2) Poor kicking game
3) Strong defensive game

If we can get him to distribute the ball more with his passing skills then we should be sweet.....but he loves the dummy, step and run.

 

[CliffyIsGod]

I think he will be quite a good signing.

Orford just needs a bit of the pressure taken off him, and he plays well. I think Bailey can give him this.