Topic: Orford calls in legal high-flyer

Archie

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Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« on: January 05, 2011, 08:28:50 PM »
Orford calls in legal high-flyer

Canberra Raiders target Matt Orford has enlisted the services of a leading British sports law expert to assist in gaining a release from the Bradford Bulls.

More than two months after officially requesting to be let out of the final two years of his contract, the Bulls continue to play hardball with the 32-year-old halfback.

To help speed up the process, Orford and his manager George Mimis have appointed dispute resolution specialist Richard Cramer as their legal representative.
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Cramer has more than 25 years' experience in the legal profession and is a partner with FrontRow Legal.

His profile on the firm's website states he is recognised by Legal 500 as one of England's leading sports lawyers and has extensive experience in sports related disputes.

Cramer is a registered lawyer with the Football Association and acts as an agent in rugby league, rugby union and cricket.

Orford alleges he is owed nearly $200,000 since joining the Yorkshire club at the end of 2009.

Bradford is hoping to recoup that amount in the form of a transfer fee.

However, it's understood the Bulls board has resigned itself to the fact it might need to write off any hope of withholding the salary it still owes Orford as compensation for the move.

The Bulls would be keen to have the matter settled quickly with the Super League season starting on February12.

Time is also quickly becoming the Raiders' enemy ahead of their round one encounter with the Cronulla Sharks on March 13.

The Raiders return to training on January 10. Orford's signature would be a massive boost considering the club's current lack of halves.

Terry Campese's knee reconstruction and minor surgery to rookie playmaker Michael Picker has left coach David Furner with just Josh McCrone and under-20s halfback Sam Williams as the club's only two fit ball players.

Picker is expected to be available for selection for the season opener.

Star fullback Josh Dugan could also come into the reckoning to mirror Australian captain Darren Lockyer and shift into Campese's five-eighth role as a stopgap measure.

Dugan wore the No.6 jersey during his junior days but has since developed into one of the NRL's most devastating custodians, meaning the move would only be as a last resort.

The addition of Orford who steered Manly to the 2008 title would allow Dugan to remain in his preferred fullback position.

The Canberra Times

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Archie

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2011, 08:38:12 PM »
Bradford please just give up already and let his go. We are all over this back and forth.

Chase94

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2011, 01:34:53 AM »
= :sleepy:

Get over here Oxy!

GB7600

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2011, 10:32:54 PM »
Meh I am not going to fret over this. Williams and McCrone will do the job for us if he doesn't come Im sure. Williams has been outstanding in the NYC and McCrone is becoming a seasoned first grader now. He gets better every game. Neither of them are really ready to lead a NRL side around but give them time and we could have the best halves pairing in the comp you never know. Hopefully Orford makes it over here and we don't have to worry about this other stuff but I'm not going to lose any sleep if he can't join us.

Archie

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2011, 10:41:28 PM »
No need to worry about your sleep, GB :great:

AlwaysGreen

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2011, 08:46:36 AM »
Wonderful. Now lets hope he is worth the price and effort we have paid for him.. We all hold such high hopes for him and there is a lot of pressure on him to live up to it all. He is a Dally M winner so you would hope he has the mustard to live up to it.

pocket rocket

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2011, 10:53:49 PM »
Orford was never a great performer in big games when he was under pressure, but lets see how he goes over a couple of seasons with us. Once he can work himself into our side then he should be able to take the reins when is counts. Its going to be great for McCrone to have a proper half back to learn off.

Zeus

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2011, 11:02:37 AM »
Now I'm excited! I was already  :dance:

Chase94

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2011, 10:49:11 PM »
Didnt take long enough did it? Least he is finally here. Good stuff :13:

Chase94

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2011, 10:52:27 PM »
Orford's departure is offset as Bulls turn to Briggs

BRADFORD BULLS have signed gifted Featherstone Rovers stand-off Kyle Briggs in readiness for Matt Orford's imminent departure.
The Super League club should finalise the protracted departure of their high-profile Australian scrum-half today and have opted for a young British talent in his place.

They have already cut short the stay of one expensive import – ex-Manly forwar
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d Glen Hall departing last week just one year into a three-year deal – and Orford's complicated move to Canberra Raiders fits into a similar timescale.

It is perhaps no surprise, given the failure of two of last season's big-name overseas signings, that Bradford have looked closer to home for their latest new arrival, preferring instead the best of British.

Having been tutored at Leeds Rhinos' Academy and, more recently, graduating with Championship Grand Finalists Featherstone, Briggs, 23, is certainly one of the domestic game's most promising talents.

Bradford will hope he can now mature into a much-needed Super League playmaker having paid their West Yorkshire neighbours an undisclosed fee to release him from the final year of his contract at Post Office Road.

He joins up immediately and will fly with the Bulls' squad to Lanzarote tomorrow for their warm-weather training camp.

"It came out of the blue and happened really quickly but it was an opportunity I just couldn't turn down," explained Briggs, nominated for the 2010 Championship player of the year award having scored 23 tries.

"To get the chance to join Bradford is fantastic and I'd like to thank Featherstone for agreeing to release me.

"I'm sad to be leaving there but opportunities like this don't come round that often.

"I owe a lot to Daryl Powell and Ryan Sheridan at Featherstone; they've done wonders for me over the last couple of years."

Indeed, learning from those coaches, two accomplished former Super League half-backs both with international experience, should certainly enhance Briggs's chance of adapting to the top flight.

Bradford head coach Mick Potter will not be expecting too much too soon but with only Marc Herbert – who coincidently joined from Canberra – as a recognised half-back at Odsal, the goal-kicking Yorkshireman could get plenty of action and potentially a debut in the season opener against former club Leeds at Cardiff next month.

"It's an opportunity for Kyle to show what he's got," said Potter, who it is believed also hopes ultimately to entice ex-Great Britain half-back Leon Pryce back to Odsal from his former club St Helens.

"He's a player who's been on Bradford's radar for a couple of years and it's a chance for him to get a start.

"There's a bit of a void to be filled. Even though we've got players to play stand-off, there's an opportunity for someone to step up and really secure it as their position."

Briggs, who joined Rovers from Doncaster midway through the 2009 season, is a product of Stanningley ARLFC, the Leeds amateur club which developed England captain Jamie Peacock.

He has signed a two-year contract with a further year's option and Powell admitted: "I am delighted for him.

"Kyle is a quality individual and I've been proud to see him develop within the club over the last 18 months.

"It is a great opportunity for him and I hope he will be able to take it.

"I am confident he is a player who can step up and have an impact at Super League level."

Orford is expected to begin training at Canberra today when an announcement regarding his future is set to be made.

He joined the Bulls 12 months ago on a three-year contract but made only 14 appearances because of a shoulder injury and sought a release after failing to settle in England.

Bradford announced in October they would do so if they received suitable compensation for the two years left on his deal but, following some difficult discussions with the player's representatives and a number of suitors, that now sees unlikely.

However, a settlement is thought to have been agreed and Orford, who won the 2008 Grand Final with Manly, is ready to sign a two-year deal with the Raiders.

He has already seen a proposed move to Parramatta collapse because of Bradford's stance but was actually unveiled by Canberra earlier this week, unusually before the official announcement.

"The Raiders are a team on the rise and the way they finished the season last year shows they will be in the running again in 2011," said Orford.

"They have some exciting young players coming through and it would be a fantastic opportunity to play alongside the likes of Josh Dugan, Jarrod Croker and Daniel Vidot."

Canberra were desperate to acquire an experienced playmaker after Terry Campese tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the club's semi-final defeat by Wests Tigers last September.

Source: Yorkshire Post

Archie

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2011, 01:12:53 PM »
He wasn't a great pressure player but he was a very consistent performer week in week out. He will be great for our young side especially since we are now severely lacking in experience.

GB7600

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Re: Orford calls in legal high-flyer
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2011, 11:09:29 PM »
No need to worry about your sleep, GB :great:

:sleepy:

:13: