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Manly must move fast on Foran, DCE: Ballin

Roar Guru
6th November, 2014
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Manly veteran Matt Ballin has urged the Sea Eagles’ new powerbrokers to swiftly sort out the futures of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran, for fear a protracted re-signing saga could derail the club’s 2015 NRL campaign.

The Sea Eagles’ premiership tilt this year was upset by player disenchantment at management’s failure to secure club legend Glenn Stewart’s future at Brookvale.

It was an ongoing issue that eventually resulted in Anthony Watmough’s move to Parramatta, Steve Matai’s request for a release to join the Warriors and constant talk linking Brett Stewart to NRL rivals, despite being under contract until the end of 2016.

Speculation over the futures of superstar halves duo Cherry-Evans and Foran has the potential to unsettle Manly from within again in 2015.

But with a new ownership structure in place under majority millionaire shareholder Rick Penn, coupled with the stewardship of new chief executive Joe Kelly, Manly have the chance to shore up the long-term future of the club by securing the services of Cherry-Evans and Foran.

Both players will be highly sought after, and are set to each demand contracts worth $1 million a season.

“I would like it to be sorted out as quickly as possible. I would love them to stay at the club, to play alongside them for the rest of my career and, hopefully, their career at the club too,” Ballin said on Thursday when asked if he would like the matter to be determined before the start of the 2015 season.

“The quicker that it can be done the better but, obviously, there are procedures that need to be followed and the players want to make sure that they are being looked after and doing the best thing for themselves.

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“The faster it can be settled, that would be good for the club, but it is going to take time.

“As far as I know, they definitely want to stay and play, they both debuted for the club and played a major role in the history of the club so far and I think they would like to continue that.”

Ballin said he believed Matai and Brett Stewart wouldn’t leave Brookvale.

The 30-year-old hooker unveiled Manly’s 2015 jersey on Thursday alongside recruit Willie Mason.

Mason joins Zane Tetevano, Feleti Mateo, Brayden Wiliame and Siosaia Vave as signings ahead of next season, with Jason King (retired) joining Watmough and Glenn Stewart (South Sydney) as departures.

Ballin said Mason, 34, brought some much-needed size up front.

“It is exciting. He brings a lot of experience to our side. We have lost a few players over the last couple of years and he will really step into that role,” Ballin said.

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