Player Michael Witt

[warriors4life_old]

Michael Witt

​

From nzherald.co.nz

By Michael Brown

The Warriors are chasing Manly's Michael Witt as they look to find a solution to the five-eighths position.

It's understood the 22-year-old half and accomplished goalkicker still has a year remaining on his Manly contract but the Warriors are prepared to take over his $200,000-a-year deal.

Warriors management are believed to have told Witt he would likely be the starting five-eighths next season and, while he's tempted by the offer, is hopeful of negotiating a two-year deal.

Witt made his NRL debut in 2003 and starred, twice sparking his original club, Parramatta, into good runs of form. He was named the club's Rookie of the Year in 2003 and impressed with 24 points in a 48-18 defeat of the Warriors in 2004.

Although he still had three years to run on his Eels contract, he was told he wasn't in the club's plans and was picked up by the Sea Eagles.

He played 19 games for Manly in his first season but the arrival of Matt Orford at the club and the good form of promising youngster Travis Burns means Witt has played only one NRL game this season.

He's landed 137 goals in his 47-game NRL career, was selected for the New South Wales Residents this year and was the first Premier League player to reach 100 points this season.

Jerome Ropati has done a good job for the Warriors in the No 6 jersey this season after the experiment with Sione Faumuina was ditched, but coach Ivan Cleary has said he sees Ropati as more of a long-term centre.

If the Warriors secure Witt, it would almost complete their squad for next season with only a winger/centre utility still in their sights.

Second rower Awen Guttenbeil is expected to announce his future this week, with Super League outfit Castleford believed the most likely destination.

* The NZRL are expected to finally sell their stake in the Warriors this week in a move that will see Cullen Sports take 100 per cent ownership of the club. It has been a messy, fractious relationship and both parties agree it would be preferable for the NZRL to sell their shares to Cullen. NZRL chairman Selwyn Bennett said he expected this to be formalised this week.

* A team of former Kiwis rolled back the clock last night when they beat an invitational side 14-12 in the curtain raiser to the Warriors game at Mt Smart Stadium last night.

The Graham Lowe-coached side jumped out to a 14-0 lead thanks to a brace of tries by Sam Panapa and another by Mark Bournville, but the invitational team hit back to close the gap after Greg Molloy and Reece Guy breached the Kiwis' defence.

 

[warriors4life_old]

$200,000 a year for Witt? He's an OK player and a good goalkicker, but I wouldn't give him that much. Good to see they are looking at a solution for Ropati and they do see him as a long-term centre rather than a five/eighth.

 

[KeepingTheFaith_old]

I don't understand how we can afford a $200,000 player, still have room for another cheap centre/winger and yet can't afford to re-sign Awen who gets a $100,000 discount on his contract for long service.

 

[2big2strong_old]

hmmm. As un-fanlike as this sounds, if we sign Michael Witt, a c-grade five-eighth that is struggling to make the reserve grade run on team, i will turn my back on the warriors. I've been a loyal fan since 95 but honestly feel like i'm being cheated by the team i love. Constantly i am left hanging, watching rival clubs buy and raise white-hot talent, while we buy cheap no-names and sell off every bit of home raised talent we have. Business this and business that, i really don't care anymore. if you're going to invest in a no-name, at least get them from our own backyard. I will still watch the occasional warriors game and my heart will always be with the team, but how can i be a FANatic, if there is nothing i am fanatical about?

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

If he's a more accomplished goal kicker wehre does that leave Martin? And well I'm glad the realisation for Ropo NOT being that great a 5/8 has come through

 

[Jesbass_old]

Good to see they are looking at a solution for Ropati and they do see him as a long-term centre rather than a five/eighth.

That's how Ropati sees himself too, as is my understanding.

I don't understand how we can afford a $200,000 player, still have room for another cheap centre/winger and yet can't afford to re-sign Awen who gets a $100,000 discount on his contract for long service.

Who says we can't afford to re-sign him? Awen may well want to leave to secure himself a better deal. And from his perspective, I don't blame him.

Having said that, with him being linked to the ESL, we probably can't afford him, along with any other NRL club. :?

 

[Jesbass_old]

hmmm. As un-fanlike as this sounds, if we sign Michael Witt, a c-grade five-eighth that is struggling to make the reserve grade run on team, i will turn my back on the warriors. I've been a loyal fan since 95 but honestly feel like i'm being cheated by the team i love. Constantly i am left hanging, watching rival clubs buy and raise white-hot talent, while we buy cheap no-names and sell off every bit of home raised talent we have. Business this and business that, i really don't care anymore. if you're going to invest in a no-name, at least get them from our own backyard. I will still watch the occasional warriors game and my heart will always be with the team, but how can i be a FANatic, if there is nothing i am fanatical about?

I think you're exaggerating, there. "Sell off every bit of home raised talent"? That's a bit dramatic.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

hmmm. As un-fanlike as this sounds, if we sign Michael Witt, a c-grade five-eighth that is struggling to make the reserve grade run on team, i will turn my back on the warriors. I've been a loyal fan since 95 but honestly feel like i'm being cheated by the team i love. Constantly i am left hanging, watching rival clubs buy and raise white-hot talent, while we buy cheap no-names and sell off every bit of home raised talent we have. Business this and business that, i really don't care anymore. if you're going to invest in a no-name, at least get them from our own backyard. I will still watch the occasional warriors game and my heart will always be with the team, but how can i be a FANatic, if there is nothing i am fanatical about?

I think you're exaggerating, there. "Sell off every bit of home raised talent"? That's a bit dramatic.

That's harsh, real hars 2b2s, but your entitled to that opinion but I know that even if what we as fans don't think is right we shouldn't just walk out on a team like that.
I think your statement probably says alot about the way alot of NRL fans feel about their clubs lately. Still thou I find it a bit cynical

 

[sebastian_old]

I've seen this guy multiple times this year & hes a good player. And the best thing HE CAN ACTUALLY KICK & PASS VERY WELL!! Fantastic news, hetic-epeliptic news. If we get him we're getting closer & closer to a preiership. 2b2s i respect your honest opinion but boy do i disagree with ya on this one, i've seen this guy this year with rayraxon in preimer league & i said "man i wish we could get this guy", as he set up a 40-20 & the match winning try. Hes way better than Travis Burns, Manly are crazy to let him go.
SIGN MICHEAL WITT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[2big2strong_old]

hmmm. As un-fanlike as this sounds, if we sign Michael Witt, a c-grade five-eighth that is struggling to make the reserve grade run on team, i will turn my back on the warriors. I've been a loyal fan since 95 but honestly feel like i'm being cheated by the team i love. Constantly i am left hanging, watching rival clubs buy and raise white-hot talent, while we buy cheap no-names and sell off every bit of home raised talent we have. Business this and business that, i really don't care anymore. if you're going to invest in a no-name, at least get them from our own backyard. I will still watch the occasional warriors game and my heart will always be with the team, but how can i be a FANatic, if there is nothing i am fanatical about?

I think you're exaggerating, there. "Sell off every bit of home raised talent"? That's a bit dramatic.

How's that?

what player have we EVER kept from first grade debut till Retirement? tell me how we do not sell off every bit of home raised talent? tell me what EXACTLY is wrong with MY statement. if you can't don't comment.

 

[2big2strong_old]

I've seen this guy multiple times this year & hes a good player. And the best thing HE CAN ACTUALLY KICK & PASS VERY WELL!! Fantastic news, hetic-epeliptic news. If we get him we're getting closer & closer to a preiership. 2b2s i respect your honest opinion but boy do i disagree with ya on this one, i've seen this guy this year with rayraxon in preimer league & i said "man i wish we could get this guy", as he set up a 40-20 & the match winning try. Hes way better than Travis Burns, Manly are crazy to let him go.
SIGN MICHEAL WITT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I grew up with Michael and played for Toowoomba, Darling Downs and Queensland together. i talk to him every now and then, i watch his games, i know his game better than anyone on here and at the Warriors club itself. There is no way we can't have anybody better than him playing bartercard.

 

[2big2strong_old]

and there is no way he is better than Travis Burns. if he was better do you honestly think the whole Sea eagles club would be paying him 100k more to play reserve grade?

 

[Lego_Man_old]

What a load of rubbish regarding stopping supporting the warriors if we sign witt.

Where's the rule that says we are only allowed to have New Zealand players? Do you think that ANY other club restricts themselves to only signing players who are from their catchment area?

Michael Witt is a goalkicking 5/8 with a kicking game who could take the pressure off Rovelli in the halves, and could fit in the 6,7 or 9 jersey. The article also says that Ivan sees Jerome as a long term centre option (which i agree with). If we had Witt in the halves, it would mean we could groom Jerome in the centres for the long term and not re-sign martin (who is on big dollars) because we'd already have goalkicking covered. He would be a good signing, but not on the kind of cash that is being talked about. I wouldnt pay him more than 120K.

And for the record, the team against the Eels consisted of 11/17 New Zealand players (which is really the minimum number, as all our backup players tend to be NZ: hohaia, rapira, vuna etc).

I guess some people wont be happy until the team is composed of 17/17 Bartercard nuffies, with the head coach being Uncle Bully from Taumaranui...and the team winning 1/26 every year.

 

[sebastian_old]

I've seen this guy multiple times this year & hes a good player. And the best thing HE CAN ACTUALLY KICK & PASS VERY WELL!! Fantastic news, hetic-epeliptic news. If we get him we're getting closer & closer to a preiership. 2b2s i respect your honest opinion but boy do i disagree with ya on this one, i've seen this guy this year with rayraxon in preimer league & i said "man i wish we could get this guy", as he set up a 40-20 & the match winning try. Hes way better than Travis Burns, Manly are crazy to let him go.
SIGN MICHEAL WITT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I grew up with Michael and played for Toowoomba, Darling Downs and Queensland together. i talk to him every now and then, i watch his games, i know his game better than anyone on here and at the Warriors club itself. There is no way we can't have anybody better than him playing bartercard.

We'll i can't say for certain theres no one better in bartercup but as for Burns, what does he do besides tackle. He can't kick for crap, he's passing is alright, the best thing about him is his defense. If you know Micheal Witt you would know how good he can kick, i've seen him play 5games in premier league at Win, Henson Park, Telstra Stadium & Brookvale twice, he kicked multiple 40-20's, Travis Burns hasn't kicked one, he assisted nearly every try for his team, i havn't seen Travis set up many trys at all. In your opinion what are travis Burns tributes?? Cause i know from eyesight Witts kicking blows Burns kicking off the park, they probably have simaler passing. Burns only real tribute in my eyes is his stering defense.

 

[2big2strong_old]

yeah i see where you're coming from Sebastion. I'm just annoyed at the fact we have ALWAYS settle for other peoples rejects while other teams get the cream of the crop, since 1995 we've been getting players that can't cut it at other clubs, when Price and Wiki came along i thought it was a change of the times. then Mr salary cap rears his ugly head. the reason why i said i'm turning my back is because i don't feel as a loyal fan i should have to settle for this constant despair, watching my team NEARLY get there but missing the one or two quality players we need, i came to the conclusion after reading the Witt story that things will always be like this, we've only ever bought two marquee players and that ended in disgrace. surely you all feel my pain, even if i am the only one that says 'enough is enough'

 

[Batz_old]

I agree with both sides, but it does suck as a warriors supporter to see the key 4 postions on the field - Half, Standoff, Hooker and Full Back all having aussies filling them.

 

[2big2strong_old]

What a load of rubbish regarding stopping supporting the warriors if we sign witt.

Where's the rule that says we are only allowed to have New Zealand players? Do you think that ANY other club restricts themselves to only signing players who are from their catchment area?

Michael Witt is a goalkicking 5/8 with a kicking game who could take the pressure off Rovelli in the halves, and could fit in the 6,7 or 9 jersey. The article also says that Ivan sees Jerome as a long term centre option (which i agree with). If we had Witt in the halves, it would mean we could groom Jerome in the centres for the long term and not re-sign martin (who is on big dollars) because we'd already have goalkicking covered. He would be a good signing, but not on the kind of cash that is being talked about. I wouldnt pay him more than 120K.

And for the record, the team against the Eels consisted of 11/17 New Zealand players (which is really the minimum number, as all our backup players tend to be NZ: hohaia, rapira, vuna etc).

I guess some people wont be happy until the team is composed of 17/17 Bartercard nuffies, with the head coach being Uncle Bully from Taumaranui...and the team winning 1/26 every year.

where did i say anywhere in any thread that i'm against signing Australian players???? I said if we're going to waste money on an average five eighth, waste it on someone in bartercard.

 

[Lego_Man_old]

It's obviously a lot harder for us to sign good top-class australian talent...because basically NRL players dont want to come and live in New Zealand. It also may have something to do with the fact that the warriors always get bagged in the australian media. But really it fundamentally comes comes down to that issue, the fact that we have to pay big overs to players to get them to move across the tasman. For sydney clubs in particular this isnt a problem.

 

[2big2strong_old]

for all those that are going to sit there and chastise me for having an opinion go play on the fucking highway. it's a forum, if i say i want to sit in a bath of poker dot paint that's MY DECISION!!!!!!! WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND????????????

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

What a load of rubbish regarding stopping supporting the warriors if we sign witt.

Where's the rule that says we are only allowed to have New Zealand players? Do you think that ANY other club restricts themselves to only signing players who are from their catchment area?

Michael Witt is a goalkicking 5/8 with a kicking game who could take the pressure off Rovelli in the halves, and could fit in the 6,7 or 9 jersey. The article also says that Ivan sees Jerome as a long term centre option (which i agree with). If we had Witt in the halves, it would mean we could groom Jerome in the centres for the long term and not re-sign martin (who is on big dollars) because we'd already have goalkicking covered. He would be a good signing, but not on the kind of cash that is being talked about. I wouldnt pay him more than 120K.

And for the record, the team against the Eels consisted of 11/17 New Zealand players (which is really the minimum number, as all our backup players tend to be NZ: hohaia, rapira, vuna etc).

I guess some people wont be happy until the team is composed of 17/17 Bartercard nuffies, with the head coach being Uncle Bully from Taumaranui...and the team winning 1/26 every year.

you're an idiot, shut your f*** mouth.

where did i say anywhere in any thread that i'm against signing Australian players???? I said if we're going to waste money on an average five eighth, waste it on someone in bartercard.

HEY!! LANGUGAGE PLEASE GUYS!