Folau set to quit AFL, Eels lie in wait

[TITAN PETE]

Date
November 1, 2012 - 3:41PM

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Heading to the Parrramatta Eels ... Israel Folau. Photo: Steve Christo
High-priced GWS recruit Israel Folau is set to leave the Giants, and the AFL, two years into his revolutionary code-changing adventure.

Folau left NRL club the Brisbane Broncos at the end 2010 to join the AFL on a four-year deal worth approximately $6 million.

The Giants have called a press conference with Folau, coach Kevin Sheedy and CEO David Matthews at 4pm, where it is expected it will be announced that he will be switching codes again.

As recently as July, Folau refuted claims he was to switch back to his original sport.

At that time, industry sources confirmed he would take a massive pay cut if he were to cross back to rugby league.

The former Australian rugby league representative is on the verge of joining the Parramatta Eels in the NRL under former NSW State of Origin coach Ricky Stuart.

However, Parramatta have denied signing Folau but admit he is a target now that he is available.

Fairfax Media revealed in April the Eels were Folau's most likely destination if he were to switch back to the NRL. Eels recruitment manager Peter Nolan was the man instrumental in luring Folau from Melbourne Storm to Brisbane Broncos and it appears he has again got his man.

Ken Edwards, the newly appointed chief executive of the Eels football club, denied that a deal was done.

"He is the sort of player and person that we are certainly interested in," he said.

"We could see him fitting into the culture that we are building here and we could see him being a part of the club going forward.

"We would possibly have some salary cap issues in the first year we are yet to discuss with the NRL.

"We would be interested and we would seek to talk to his management."

Folau's brother, John, is already in the Eels system.

It is understood the Eels have made contact with his manager and will be keen to snap him up to bolster their backline after finishing with the NRL wooden spoon in 2012.

Folau played 13 games this season for GWS, averaging just six possessions and one tackle per game. Playing as a key forward and occasional ruckman with the expansion team, he booted only two goals, and cut a forlorn figure as he struggled to read the game.

He had played in 2011 in second-tier NEAFL competition, and struggled with roles in defence before coach Kevin Sheedy began playing him up forward. Former Essendon legend Sheedy remained positive that Folau would improve in time, saying it was a "bit unfair" that he was compared to youngsters who had played Australian Rules football all their lives.

One former AFL key forward star backed Folau - in June Dermot Brereton labelled Folau's critics "naive".

The other former rugby league star signed up by the AFL at the beginning of its northern expansion, Karmichael Hunt, has fared much better for the Gold Coast Suns, impressing in his two seasons in the midfield, but he had a more solid grounding in the code as a youngster. Hunt remains committed to playing with the Suns, 34 games into his new career. In March, after Folau's humble debut, Hunt backed the big forward's capacity to succeed in the AFL.

Folau played 90 games in the NRL for Melbourne and Brisbane from 2007-10 before switching codes.

He made history as the youngest player to represent Queensland in rugby league?s State Of Origin and is also the youngest member of the Australian league team.

His return to league would also fuel speculation that the Giants could recruit former Adelaide key forward Kurt Tippett through the national or pre-season drafts.

GWS have the No.1 picks in the two drafts and, with no Folau, they would have ample room in their salary cap to accommodate Tippett?s hefty asking price.

Adelaide are the subject of a major AFL investigation over draft tampering and salary cap breaches.

The investigation relates to Tippett?s last contract with the Crows, signed in 2009.

The Crows face massive penalties if the AFL rule against them.

Tippett wants to play for Sydney, but the Swans were unable to negotiate a deal with Adelaide during the trade period.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/f...#ixzz2AweaL5jw

[TITAN PETE]

It has now been confirmed that he has quit but i wouldn't be rushing to sign him up he'll need to put 20kg back on to play the man's sport again

[DIEHARD]

Oh this is great. And notice it comes a day or two after club grants go to 7million dollars?

He has gone from an ad for AFL to an ad not to go to AFL.

But you are right Pete he needs condition or he will get shattered.

Tips for signing? Parra?

[DIEHARD]

Folau says at his presser that he achieved all his goes in AFL.

That is funny for many reasons.

[Toads]

LOL, what was all his goals?

Kick it thru the sticks twice?

[DIEHARD]

Now where is our buddy the imposter Titans fan, Titan Matchu? The one who said the END WAS NIGH for Rugby League.

[DIEHARD]

LOL, what was all his goals?

Kick it thru the sticks twice?

Haha. Cash money probably.

Now he wants a bidding war. Ah well, keeps AFL out of the papers and Rugby League in it.

Folau... Tanking... bad couple of days for our rival code.

[TITAN PETE]

Hope the Cat goes to Yawnion or better still wants to Box

[Chaserz]

So only 2 goals in 2 years... impressive

[TITAN PETE]

So only 2 goals in 2 years... impressive

That's about $900k per goal

[DIEHARD]

That's about $900k per goal

Love how it is being reported. Been a good week for Rugby League.

[DIEHARD]

Eels close in on Folau's NRL signature

Parramatta are set to announce the signing of AFL defector Israel Folau in coming days, with coach Ricky Stuart revealing contract negotiations between the AFL convert, the Eels and the ARL Commission are well advanced.

Stuart revealed on Friday the Eels had been involved in hourly discussions with the game's governing body about the best way to bring Folau back to rugby league after he quit AFL on Thursday.

The former NSW and Australian coach stopped short of declaring Folau's move to the 2012 wooden spooners a done deal, but was very buoyant about their chances.

"We are in the fortunate position that Israel wants to play for Parramatta," Stuart said.

"He is a western Sydney product. He has grown up here and he has some good mates at the club.

"This is a great thing for rugby league and we are being up front about it all.

"It's not a done deal but (Eels chief executive) Ken Edwards has been in daily, hourly contact with the NRL.

"We are going about this the right way.

"This isn't just about Parramatta ... rugby league needs him."

Stuart said he had spoken with Folau since he announced his decision on Thursday to quit AFL.

"I spoke to him yesterday afternoon ... I had a good chat with him and everything tells me (he wants to return to rugby league).

"I'm only telling you what I know. It is so good for us. We have had a tough couple of years but now we are moving in the right direction."

Stuart said his new club would do whatever it took to get Folau's signature. However, he said the club would not ask for financial assistance from the ARLC.

"We see him as a key target in regard to getting Izzy to play for the Parramatta Eels," Stuart said on Friday.

"We will move heaven and earth to get him here.

"I see him being a great fit for Parramatta, a great fit for the culture of our club.

"I'm pretty confident he wants to come back to the game.

"He didn't make that announcement because he is going to soccer.

Stuart praised Folau's decision in leaving behind the code he had struggled to master in the past two seasons, and said he would return to the NRL a better player

"It was a tough and courageous decision," Stuart said.

"He could have easily taken the money ... it was a very courageous and honest move.

"It's such a great thing for rugby league that he has decided to come back.

"It's what our game needs. We keep hearing about Sonny Bill Williams coming back and, yesterday, you have that announcement from Israel Folau.

"When you look at Izzy's age, I think the endurance levels of what he had to achieve in AFL will only improve his game in regard to his fitness and energy levels.

"Putting size back on won't be an issue for him either at his age. The good thing is he is going to get a full pre-season to prepare. He hasn't reached the pinnacle in his career yet in rugby league."

http://news.smh.com.au/

[DIEHARD]

I think Folau will make a successful return to Rugby League.

I think last time his natural talent carried him, but I think his misadventure in AFL and his return will drive him tear it up in Rugby League. He will be facing doubt and criticism nationwide from Rugby League and AFL camps.

Maybe his time in AFL will bring him some skills he can make use of, I dont know, but I will be tuning in to find out.

I hope wherever he winds up his STOPS his tradition of scoring tries tries tries against out Titans.

I also believe he will return to the Maroons and I guess maybe the Kangaroos but maybe at the end of the year in a World Cup squad.

[DIEHARD]

Folau 4 tries vs Titans Round 10, 2009 - Lang Park
Folou 2 tries vs Titans Round 8, 2010 - Lang Park

[Steve]

Hope the Cat goes to Yawnion or better still wants to Box

I'm with you on this one, Pete. He's a mercenary, nothing more. Hopefully the ARU have more cash to throw at him than any NRL club.

The Eels are drawing a long bow claiming he's one of their locals. Minto is a short walk from the Tigers' ground out at Campbelltown.