elliott to reject offer

[fanboy]

Canberra Raiders coach Matthew Elliott is set to reject an offer to take charge of the Newcastle Knights in 2007.

Elliott is expected to remain with the Raiders, with whom he comes off contract at the end of the upcoming National Rugby League season.

He was considering a three-year deal to coach the Knights reportedly worth around $300,000 a season, but it is understood he has withdrawn his interest.

Elliott will hold talks with Raiders officials on Monday with the length and terms of a new contract to be discussed.

Newcastle chose not to renew the contract of current coach Michael Hagan beyond the 2006 season, despite his interest in staying with the 2001 NRL premiers.

He has since signed a three-year contract to coach Parramatta from 2007.

 

[jamesgould]

So it's down to Sharp and Fairleigh ... you'd have thought we could have attracted a better reponse than this with 2 of the worlds best at our club and a famous junior production line.

A bit of news on the trial, as well:

Meanwhile, the Knights have arrived in Alice Springs ahead of Saturday's preseason trial against Penrith.

Newcastle half-back Andrew Johns will not be playing in the trial match, as he is recovering from a knee operation.

Johns said both his team-mates and the Panthers would be tested by the Alice Springs heat.

"It just hit us like a big thud then when we got off the plane, so it will be a bit hard on the boys," he said.

"I don't think there'll be too much tackling on Saturday night, but it's just something we expected. We knew it'd be hot up here, so it won't be an excuse."

British Lions winger Brian Carney, who will be playing his first match for the Knights in Alice Springs, said he was excited to be in Central Australia despite the heat.

"We got off the plane and I thought someone had left the oven door open," he said.

"It's nice, it's different, it's nice to get to see a bit of Australia."

From: http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200602/s1571677.htm