Re the reputation, i think the bulls actions with Chris Walker when we signed orford were probably more damaging, even though i would say that is slight at best

Er no. Walker was playing us. If anything it showed as this does that we won't be fecked around. If that puts off men like Orford and Walker in the future all the better for us.

Even if it was a reputational problem it's not likely to last long. These sort of disputes have happened for years and it's never held clubs back that much. We have plenty more positive ambassadors for the clubs out there.

That we do. Recent example of which being Patrick Ah Van who said one of the reasons he signed for us was the positive feedback he got from Big Joe Vagana.

Someone on the T and A site reckons we have told Orford to report for training on Jan 1st and have asked for special dispensation from the RFL with regards the overseas quota due to the exceptional circumstances.

Note to Aussie cry babies - don't come to Bradford and try bending us over!

I'd take anything you read on the T&A website with a large pinch of salt.

The feeling on here is that IF Orford turns out for the club again, the fan's reactions would make the abuse Worriency and Platt got seem like an invitation to a party.

There's no doubting Orford's ability, but there'd be a massive question mark over his commitment should he be forced to return to Bradford

And rightly so. If he DID end up coming back and playing for us, I for one would not be cheering him on at all. I've never ever booed a Bradford player. That would change if for some reason Orford came back.

That being said, I really don't see that happening anyway.

the poster who put that particular rumour up has a long and illustrious history of starting absolute rubbish rumours but phrasing them in such a way that they sound semi believeable. Wouldnt take it as having any substance to it.

this whole orford saga is very much like the one that the rhino's had with
greg eastwood,hetherington clearly set his stall out "early doors" and "demanded" compensation for his signature,as he knew that his player had been "persuaded" to move back to the nrl.
the rhino's we're duly awarded compensation from the canterbury bulldogs in this respect.
imo the bulls still hold the ace card of orfords registration,but will this prospective nrl club that has "persuaded" orford to leave the bulls,and whilst he was still under contract be willing to pay up?
imo the bulls acted far too late on this whole saga regarding orford!
the bulls obviously have a salary cap to work to and obviously want to further strengthen their squad/or have already signed his replacement and have used his salary in doing so and are now upto the level they are paying for 2011, orford and his manager are clearly playing a waiting game here if that is so!
i foresee a statement released shortly which is on the lines of that orford and the bulls have come to some mutual decision to terminate the rest of his contract

theres a very fundamental difference between orford situation and eastwood one. The rumours about them both wanting to return to Oz started about the same time. However eastwood acted honourably and asked leeds for a release, giving them plenty of time to agree a compensation deal and also sort a replacement.
Orford on the other hand, when approached by bulls about the rumours denied them repeatedly, and only finally confirmed he wanted a release a few days before he was due back for pre-season leaving the club litttle time to find a suitable replacement. Whilst you woulod surmise they would have possibly had suitable candidates lined up in case there was truth in the rumours they cant actually make any formal arrangements until Orford release is finalised and because he left it so late to make his intentions clear we're left in a very difficult position with regard to finding a replacement. I dont really see how you can say bulls left it too late to act on the situation. The reality is we acted as soon as Orford stopped misleading the club and made his intentions clear at the end of october.

So it was Mick then?

How so? Given Awford's assurances that he was coming back, and denial of the rumours, what do you think they failed to do?

That's the point that Jonesy has missed isn't it. If Orford had asked to be released at the outset (as the Leeds player did), or at the very least before the end of the season, there wouldn't have been any problem.

Canberra trying to play hard ball www.watoday.com.au/rugby-league/ ... 18rhc.html The ball is in Awfords court I suspect he will have to forego what the Bulls owe him and Canberra pay a nominal A$40k fee, or something like that!

Canberra trying to play hard ball www.watoday.com.au/rugby-league/ ... 18rhc.html The ball is in Awfords court I suspect he will have to forego what the Bulls owe him and Canberra pay a nominal A$40k fee, or something like that!

I see Richard Moore has been released by Wakey. Wasnt he a rumour started by someone a while back?