Luke Lewis

WHILE Anderson might have been a drawback, Parramatta made Lewis the most attractive offer in terms of money and work post-career.

The Eels were happy to extend a four-year deal worth $2 million and also the option to stay on as a strength and conditioning coach.

But Wests Tigers and Cronulla were always going to be Lewis's top options, given his friendships with respective skippers Robbie Farah and Paul Gallen.

While Lewis was sprung looking at property in the Shire on Wednesday, his house hunt in Sydney's inner west the previous evening was a much better-kept secret.

Tigers officials guided Lewis through the new apartment complex in riverside Chiswick that accommodates several players as well as coach Tim Sheens. We're even told Lewis was shown the apartment belonging to the man he is being targeted to replace - English enforcer Gareth Ellis - as a prime example of living arrangements in Tiger Town.

Another forgotten asset for the Tigers is assistant coach Steve Georgallis, whose departure from Penrith sparked tremendous unrest among senior players such as Lewis.

The 28-year-old made no secret of the fact that he wanted to play under Georgallis long-term and now it's a very real possibility, albeit in different colours.

Wests, however, do not have the cap space to match Cronulla's offer for next season. Both four-year deals are roughly equal in the long run, but Lewis will have to take a $60,000 pay cut for 2013 if he choses the Tigers over Sharks.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/parramattas-attempts-to-recruit-luke-lewis-hampered-by-grudge-with-chris-anderson/story-e6frexnr-1226430330947?from=public_js
 
Parramatta's attempts to recruit Luke Lewis hampered by grudge with Chris Anderson

Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
July 20, 2012 12:00AM
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PARRAMATTA'S bid for Luke Lewis has been severely handicapped because of the representative star's long-term grudge against coaching director Chris Anderson.

Lewis hasn't forgiven Anderson for not playing him on the 2003 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain, which wrapped up with the controversial selection of veteran utility Darren Smith.

Lewis was left out in favour of the 34-year-old journeyman, who was plucked from the UK Super League to deputise on the wing in the dead-rubber third Test.

"Luke was filthy about not playing on that tour, but that was the final straw," a Panthers source said. "He still hasn't forgiven Anderson and I'd find it hard to see them both at the same club."

Parramatta have lost three straight since head coach Steve Kearney appointed Anderson late last month.

Results were always going to dictate whether the combination survived beyond this season because Anderson is only contracted for the next couple of months. A board meeting in two weeks' time now shapes as D-day.

Speculation linking Ricky Stuart to the Eels has hushed in recent weeks, but there's been a renewed push to convince directors to think again.

Sacked Bradford coach Mick Potter and Roosters assistant Jason Taylor are the other contenders. Stuart, however, would be the coach who could convince Lewis to join a rebuilding club after the pair's relationship went to another level during the Origin series.

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WHILE Anderson might have been a drawback, Parramatta made Lewis the most attractive offer in terms of money and work post-career.

The Eels were happy to extend a four-year deal worth $2 million and also the option to stay on as a strength and conditioning coach.

But Wests Tigers and Cronulla were always going to be Lewis's top options, given his friendships with respective skippers Robbie Farah and Paul Gallen.

While Lewis was sprung looking at property in the Shire on Wednesday, his house hunt in Sydney's inner west the previous evening was a much better-kept secret.

Tigers officials guided Lewis through the new apartment complex in riverside Chiswick that accommodates several players as well as coach Tim Sheens. We're even told Lewis was shown the apartment belonging to the man he is being targeted to replace - English enforcer Gareth Ellis - as a prime example of living arrangements in Tiger Town.

Another forgotten asset for the Tigers is assistant coach Steve Georgallis, whose departure from Penrith sparked tremendous unrest among senior players such as Lewis.

The 28-year-old made no secret of the fact that he wanted to play under Georgallis long-term and now it's a very real possibility, albeit in different colours.

Wests, however, do not have the cap space to match Cronulla's offer for next season. Both four-year deals are roughly equal in the long run, but Lewis will have to take a $60,000 pay cut for 2013 if he choses the Tigers over Sharks.
 
I'd like to know how cronulla have the space… Tupou has a 400k option is his favor for next year along with other backloaded contracts as well
 
My last word on the subject before it becomes a done deal sometime today.

My guess and its only a guess he is off to the Sharks, from day one the Sharks have been the favorites. At the back end of his career he is seeking life style. He also has a lot of Penrith old boys at the Sharks. It will not be a money thing because both the Tigers and the Sharks are talking the same coin or we are lead to believe that is the case and of course if it was coin he would be off to Parra but that dosnt seem to be the case.

If we miss our man its not the end of the world, we seem to have given it a big shake and we now know thier is money in the bank to fix other problems in the team. As I have said before, I rate Lewis as one of the best week in and week out NRL players, seldom plays a bad game and he is playing in a team that is not firing but can we play the likes of Anasta,Farah,Marshall and Lewis in the same team??? Iam not sure on that one.

Anyway I will be happy either way and really the Sharks should be looking at their backline as their no1 priority
 
He gives away too many penalties …..has shoulders that are sure to break down a couple of times year ....... he is passed his best ........ He is also a sook , who had cry and quite his job because his boss told him the truth ........

Good player to miss out on I say .......
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
 
@Rambo2714 said:
He gives away too many penalties …..has shoulders that are sure to break down a couple of times year ....... he is passed his best ........ He is also a sook , who had cry and quite his job because his boss told him the truth ........

Good player to miss out on I say .......
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
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Textbook sour grape syndrome right here
 
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