Orford's NRL future unresolved - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Orford's NRL future unresolved

13/11/2009 08:13:20 PM Comments (0)

Out of contract Manly NRL star Matt Orford joined the other Sea Eagles for their orientation day but his future still remains in limbo.

The skipper has been linked with a possible move to English club Bradford.

However, Manly chairman Scott Penn stressed the reports were "hearsay".

Manly co-owner Penn, who is also the club's acting CEO, said he had not spoken to Orford's manager George Mimis.

While the Sea Eagles resume training next week, Orford attended their orientation day on Friday, which Penn took as a positive sign.

"Sure. If something changes it changes, but we are certainly proceeding as if he (Orford) is an integral part of our 2010 campaign," Penn told AAP on Friday.

"We certainly built our 2010 plans around him so we have high expectations of him saying.

"But we are also realists and if there's whispers out there something might be afoot, but he's certainly firmly entrenched as part of our 2010 plans."

Penn expected to imminently announce the re-signing of wingers Michael Robertson and David Williams, although they were also tied in with the dealings over halfback Orford.

"They (Williams and Robertson re-signing) should just be a formality, but we can't announce all of those until we resolve Matt's contract," Penn said.

"It's taken longer than anyone wanted to get to where we are, but I think that's also the nature of the salary cap.

"Needing to manage that and to make sure that we stay well within it, we've got to make sure that we've got everything locked down."

Among those attending the orientation meeting were forward recruits, Joe Galuvao and Matt Cross, formerly of Parramatta and Melbourne respectively.

Penn said he did speak to Orford briefly at the orientation, but it was more an informal greeting than a chat about his plans.

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