NRL: Raiders to extend Elliott deal

[DeeGan]

Raiders to extend Elliott deal
By James Hooper
January 26, 2006

CANBERRA powerbrokers are poised to offer coach Matthew Elliott a one-year extension until the end of 2007 - despite bookmakers installing the Raiders as wooden spoon favourites this season.

SportsTAB has listed Canberra $3.25 equal favourites with South Sydney in early betting markets to finish last, but new Canberra captain Clinton Schifcofske has predicted the signature of Elliott will prove a major coup for the club.

Star fullback Schifcofske believes the retention of Elliott, who has steered Canberra to the finals in three out of four seasons at the helm, will encourage a number of promising off-contract juniors to remain in the national capital.

Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins last night confirmed Canberra were preparing to offer Elliott a one-year extension, rejecting suggestions the Raiders might be jumping the gun after finishing a disappointing 14th last year.

"We're happy to concede the end result was pretty ordinary last year but it certainly wasn't all the coach's fault," Hawkins said.

"We're happy with the set-up and we're happy with the job Matt's done in the time that he's had here so hopefully we can sort something out over the next few weeks."

Newly-appointed Raiders captain Schifcofske was also supportive of the move, suggesting the club's emerging crop of junior talent would look favourably upon the coach's re-appointment.

"There's a lot of good young kids here and quite a few of who are coming off contract were hedging their bets about what Matt might be doing," Schifcofske said.

"So that can only be a positive thing because hopefully that will encourage them to stick around with the Raiders."

Elliott is one of five NRL coaches off contract at the end of this season along with Roosters coach Ricky Stuart, four-time premiership-winning Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens, Penrith's John Lang and Parramatta's Brian Smith.

The Eels have already gone public about not renewing Smith's contract.

IMO this is good news for the Raiders as I think Matt Elliot is a very good rugby league coach. Elliot has not had the 'cattle' that some his peers are afforded and he has done some great things in his time there all factors considering.

Thoughts from Canberra fans?

DeeGan

[Dakink]

Im with you on this - I think Elliot is a fantastic coach who did well with limited cattle last year!

[Super Cronk]

There will be some raider fans who will see this as terrible news.