Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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BRONCOS skipper Corey Parker has hired Cameron Smith’s manager to help broker the contract that will see him surpass Darren Lockyer as the most-capped player in NRL history.
After 15 years without a manager, Parker has engaged Smith’s agent, Isaac Moses, to finalise the deal that will keep him at Red Hill beyond this season.
Parker has long subscribed to the theory of Broncos legend Shane Webcke that contracts can be negotiated personally without the aid of agents chasing a slice of a player’s income.
But confronting the most important contract of his career, Parker has called on Moses, one of the most powerful player managers in the NRL.
Moses possesses a coterie of big-name NRL stars, including Maroons skipper Smith, NSW Origin flyer Michael Jennings and Parker’s Broncos teammate Andrew McCullough.
He also acts for tri-code sensation Israel Folau and Parker’s former Broncos clubmate Ben Te’o, now playing rugby in Ireland.
Parker is keen to remain at Red Hill until the end of 2018, but Brisbane are mindful of his advancing years — he turns 34 in May — and view the Maroons ace as a year-to-year proposition.
The Test warhorse plays his 325th NRL game against the Warriors this Friday night and needs to secure a 12-month extension to eclipse Lockyer (355) in 2017.
“I’ve got a lot on my plate at the moment and it makes life a lot easier when you have some help along the way,” Parker said when asked about hiring Moses.
“It (a contract extension) is in action at the moment and in the near future it will sort itself out.
“The plan is for me to go on next year.”
Parker’s captaincy predecessor, recently retired Brisbane centre Justin Hodges, urged Broncos powerbrokers to find room in the salary cap to hand the industrious forward a new deal.
“He is playing his best footy at the back end of his career,” said Hodges, who shared the co-captaincy with Parker in 2014.
“There’s only thing that would stop Corey playing on and that’s injury ... He’s the ultimate professional off the field, he takes care of his body and that’s why he’s still going today.”
Parker said early lessons from Webcke and former front-row enforcer Andrew Gee have steeled him for a shot at Lockyer’s record.
“When I first got to the club, I made a point of hanging out with guys like ‘Webby’ and ‘GG’,” he said.
“They taught me hard work in life will get you everywhere and I’ve made a long career out of that attitude.
“I do think about it (Lockyer’s record) and when the dust settles, it would be an amazing thing to achieve.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...t/news-story/1347fb3dcadb61a2a29210e127abd342
After 15 years without a manager, Parker has engaged Smith’s agent, Isaac Moses, to finalise the deal that will keep him at Red Hill beyond this season.
Parker has long subscribed to the theory of Broncos legend Shane Webcke that contracts can be negotiated personally without the aid of agents chasing a slice of a player’s income.
But confronting the most important contract of his career, Parker has called on Moses, one of the most powerful player managers in the NRL.
Moses possesses a coterie of big-name NRL stars, including Maroons skipper Smith, NSW Origin flyer Michael Jennings and Parker’s Broncos teammate Andrew McCullough.
He also acts for tri-code sensation Israel Folau and Parker’s former Broncos clubmate Ben Te’o, now playing rugby in Ireland.
Parker is keen to remain at Red Hill until the end of 2018, but Brisbane are mindful of his advancing years — he turns 34 in May — and view the Maroons ace as a year-to-year proposition.
The Test warhorse plays his 325th NRL game against the Warriors this Friday night and needs to secure a 12-month extension to eclipse Lockyer (355) in 2017.
“I’ve got a lot on my plate at the moment and it makes life a lot easier when you have some help along the way,” Parker said when asked about hiring Moses.
“It (a contract extension) is in action at the moment and in the near future it will sort itself out.
“The plan is for me to go on next year.”
Parker’s captaincy predecessor, recently retired Brisbane centre Justin Hodges, urged Broncos powerbrokers to find room in the salary cap to hand the industrious forward a new deal.
“He is playing his best footy at the back end of his career,” said Hodges, who shared the co-captaincy with Parker in 2014.
“There’s only thing that would stop Corey playing on and that’s injury ... He’s the ultimate professional off the field, he takes care of his body and that’s why he’s still going today.”
Parker said early lessons from Webcke and former front-row enforcer Andrew Gee have steeled him for a shot at Lockyer’s record.
“When I first got to the club, I made a point of hanging out with guys like ‘Webby’ and ‘GG’,” he said.
“They taught me hard work in life will get you everywhere and I’ve made a long career out of that attitude.
“I do think about it (Lockyer’s record) and when the dust settles, it would be an amazing thing to achieve.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...t/news-story/1347fb3dcadb61a2a29210e127abd342
