Tilse on brink of staying a Raider1 April 2011, 6:52 amCanberra is hopeful Dane Tilse will become the third Raiders forward this year to pledge his long-term future to the club following fruitful discussions with his management yesterday.
In-form prop Tilse is contracted with Canberra until the end of next year, but Raiders chief Don Furner is working on extending his deal by another two seasons.
Representative forwards Bronson Harrison and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs both recently signed new contracts which will keep them in lime green until the end of 2014.
Canberra is keen to secure Novocastrian Tilse's services long term, as he will be on Newcastle's radar after Nathan Tinkler's takeover bid was successful last night. Furner enjoyed promising talks with Tilse's manager Todd Buckingham yesterday.
The 26-year-old has been one of Canberra's best this season and has been rewarded with a starting spot for tomorrow's crunch home match against Gold Coast.
''Things are progressing well and that's probably all I can say at this stage,'' Furner said.
''We'd love to lock him up long term, and that's what we're aiming to do.''
A big positive for the Raiders is Tilse's girlfriend Katie moved from Newcastle to Canberra two months ago.
It removes the threat of a repeat of the situation that confronted the ACT Brumbies this week, where Adam Ashley-Cooper jumped ship to the NSW Waratahs to be with his partner.
Furner said Tilse, like Learoyd-Lahrs and Harrison, had indicated he was keen to stay.
He has been touted as a possible contender for Origin selection this year following a strong finish to 2010.
''He doesn't want to go shopping around, similar to what the other two [Learoyd-Lahrs and Harrison] went about it, which is great,'' Furner said.
''His manager said he's happy here, it's a matter of getting the commercial terms right and I'm working toward that.
''He's played his best footy here and he's seen other players represent from here, so hopefully he agrees.''
Meanwhile, Furner expressed his joy at yesterday's news former Raider Joel Monaghan had extended his contract with English club Warrington by three years until the end of 2014.
Monaghan quit Canberra after a lewd photo of himself and a dog emerged on social networking sites.
But he has thrived in England, scoring five tries in seven matches to help guide the Wolves to the top of the Super League table.
The deal means the three-quarter is likely to end his career in the northern hemisphere, but Furner said the Raiders hadn't closed the door on him.
''You never know, he might do a couple of years and come back a year early as Orford's done and a few others have done,'' Furner said.
''I'm happy for him, he's ridden out a very, very tough few months.''
Warrington coach Tony Smith had been delighted at how easily Monaghan had fitted in at the Super league club.
''It is quite unusual for an Australian or overseas player to fit in so quickly and look right at home but Joel has managed to do that both on and off the field,'' he said.
Source: The Canberra Times - Sport - Rugby League
Topic: Tilse on brink of staying a Raider
