highly unlikely, but then again are manly going to want to offload arguably their three best players? Probably Not.

They wouldn't come here.

Finally that's the point I was working round too. If we got any players they would either by young and unproven or old journey men. We don't want either option if it came to it we need cold hard cash.

Lyon stated he hoped to return to SL didn't he? I doubt he meant with a potential wooden spoon team though!

Only trouble with taking a large cash amount is that when you then try and sign other players with that cash clubs will be seeking an inflated value if they know you have plenty to spend. I thought Manly had cash/sponsor worries?

Granted not their best three players.
But a top name + a young starlet + cash wouldn't be a bad deal

rlD'oh...rl

Ah I see.

I actually know the young lady reasonably well.

Did something happen at the fans forum regarding this then?

Rugby League Week over here has Sam saying he's looking at NRL for 2012, after his Bulls' contract is up.

rlThisrl says Manly want him for 2011, for salary cap reasons.

Hopefully he will see his contract out. Then I'm sure he will go with everyone's blessing and good luck wishes.

If you sign a contract and then disappear part way through it, it can leave a bitter taste in the mouths of some. Nobody wants to see that happen with a homegrown product like Sam.

rlManly fans forum topic about samrl

Looks like the locals over there have no more firm ideas than us, one guy says "after 2010". Would this not make more sence?

Sam, would you like to play on NRL? er, yes. Would any NRL clubs be interested? Yes, many. Can we offer him a shot at silverware in the foreseeable future? No. So its not difficult to see where the story comes from but I think the timing is questionable.

Surely after just signing a contract he woud be better served at his age finishing that contract with us and then going? After possibly playing in the first team with his brothers?

I dont think anyone would begrudge him the opportunity to play in the NRL, and clearly thats where he wil end up, but I'd be surprised and disappointed if he wanted to be off during this close season.

That would make sence and I'd be relatively happy with that.

We just need this confirming at our end I suspect if this is the case, not that I want the club or Sam to respond to every rumour...they dont have that kinda time, but this is different. Here we have our franchise player, home grown lad that we're supposed to be building around, and hes rumoured to be jumping ship. If we confirm he is seeing out his contract and then moving to the NRL to test himself against the best I think everyone will understand, but without confirmation these rumours will be with us unitl he goes and wont be be good PR for the club.

It's fairly clear that he does want to go at some point so I'd be happy to release him early if we could include some return clause. Say in exchange for an early release he agrees to come back to us, or appropriate financial compensation, on return. We'd get a more experienced player back, Sam gets to try prove himself and we part on good terms.
Rather that than he leaves out of contract having stuck it out and if/when he does come back we possibly find ourselves watching as he goes elsewhere.

Odd for the T&A to have the story without comment or even 'no comment' from the club.