Blaney, Reece

Reece BLANEY [Player Stats]


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Leigh keen to sign Phelps after Blayney move was blocked
Wed January 7, 2009
by Matthew O'Neill
Northern Rail Cup side Leigh Centurions have entered the race to sign Wigan utility back Cameron Phelps should the Warriors sign Australian International Greg Bird.

Phelps joined Wigan midway through the 2008 season after playing 39 NRL matches for the Bulldogs from 2005-08.

Should Wigan be successful in getting Bird across to JJB Stadium providing he is released from the Cronulla Sharks it Phelps appears will be the man who'll be sacrificed to accommodate the Australian International.

Phelps played in 14 matches for Wigan in 2008 where he scored five tries and landed four goals.

Leigh Centurions coach Neil Kelly said, "We are aware that Phelps is being offered to a number of Super League Clubs.

"And if he became available for Championship sides, then of course we would be interested. But any such speculation is just that until the situation becomes clearer."

Leigh's interest in Phelps will now increase after their plans to sign former Bulldogs five-eighth Reece Blayney was unsuccessful due to recent changes to rules in the administration of working holiday visas.

Kelly said on the Blayney situation, "It was disappointing and we may have to draw a line under it and accept that he won't be coming to the club.

"But we're certainly still looking into the possibility, because the reason we targeted a number six was that we felt we needed competition in that area. We tried to attract a young Australian who had NRL first grade experience in the last six months and Reece had that with Bulldogs for who he had played a handful of first grade games.

"It would be a great shame if he was to be denied the opportunity to come to this country. We haven't given up hope, but I would say we have only a 25 per cent chance of landing him now, and the money that was to be earmarked for him could probably be better spent elsewhere now."

Phelps has also been linked to Cronulla in a possible switch with Bird. The Sharks currently still have Bird on their books and won't be discussing his situation for at least another 3-4 weeks when their board meets later this month.

With Bird's court case not due until April 27 on charges of reckless wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two charges of lying to police.

With the Sharks poised to set Bird loose than the future of Phelps becomes in question with a return home possible with the Cronulla-Sutherland area not far from his junior home town of Revesby and Leigh is a strong option being just a few miles from Wigan.

Should Bird be free to join Wigan Phelps has to make a decision as to whether risk a return to the NRL or stay in England and even play in the Northern Rail Cup for a club such as Leigh where good performances could see him land another Super League contract.


Blaney handed Bulldogs NRL debut
Tue August 12, 2008
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

Reece Blaney will become the sixth player this year to make his first grade debut for the Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs when they meet the Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium on Saturday.

Blaney, 23, received the news from coach Steve Folkes while in a personal training lecture and will come off the bench in place of half Aaron Groom who strained his hamstring at training this morning.

"It was a bit of a shock to be honest, but I feel like I've done the hard work to earn the spot and I'm really excited by the opportunity," Blaney said.

In other major news for the team, Reni Maitua will miss the rest of the season for the Bulldogs and the World Cup after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction yesterday.

Maitua will be replaced by Lee Te Maari at lock forward and Garry Warburton has been recalled into the starting second row position after showing strong form in the Bulldogs NSW Cup team.

After failing a final fitness test on his knee last week Matt Utai is hopeful of receiving a clearance to play and his been named on the wing. Tim Winitana also returns from injury (ribs), replacing Andrew Emelio. Charlie Leaeno replaces Fred Briggs on the bench in another change to last week's team.

"We seem to be presented with fresh challenges every week and I admire the perseverance the boys are showing," coach Folkes said.

"Pride is a great motivator so we're all actually looking forward to the opportunity to turn things around this weekend against the Panthers."

1 Ben Barba
2 Hazem El Masri
3 Daryl Millard
4 Tim Winitana
5 Matt Utai
6 Ben Roberts
7 Daniel Holdsworth
8 Jarrad Hickey
9 Corey Hughes
10 Chris Armit
11 Gary Warburton
12 Andrew Ryan
13 Lee Te Maari

Interchange
14 Nick Kouparitsas
15 Brad Morrin
16 Charlie Leaeno
17 Reece Blaney

News Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

====================================================================================================== 2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2 games; [View] Round 23 [16 Aug 08] L 16-52 v Panthers (A). [BE] [View] Round 26 [07 Sep 08] L 34-52 v Raiders (A). [BE] ====================================================================================================== 2007 VB NSWRL Premier League St George Illawarra Dragons 4 goals, 8 points. ====================================================================================================== 2006 VB NSWRL Premier League St George Illawarra Dragons 5 tries, 26 goals, 72 points. ======================================================================================================

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