Orford makes Bulls switch
Matt Orford, 31, lifted the NRL title in 2008 with former club Manly Sea Eagles
Monday, 16, Nov 2009 12:19
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Manly Sea Eagles' highly-rated captain Matt Orford has joined Bradford Bulls on a three-year contract, it has been announced.
The 31-year-old scrum-half, who led Manly to the NRL title last season along with the World Club Challenge against Leeds earlier this year, is regarded as one of the game's top talents.
And he will make his debut in Super League next season when he joins the swelling ranks of Australian stars at Odsal, along with fellow recent signings Glen Hall, Heath L'Estrange and Brett Kearney.
"I'm very excited and I can't wait to join Bradford," said Orford.
"I've always wanted to play in Super League and this opportunity came at the right time.
"I'm coming to a great club with a great roster. Speaking to [head coach Steve McNamara], I'm really excited about coming over and trying to be part of something special."
McNamara said he is "highly delighted" to have signed Orford, who won the Dally M medal in 2008 as the best player in the NRL final.
"Matt's pedigree speaks for itself," the coach said.
"He will be a super acquisition for us and I am really looking forward to working alongside him and driving the Bulls forward in 2010."
Orford is thought to have chosen to move to England after contract talks with Manly broke down over his wage demands.
His contract at Bradford is thought to be around £840,000 over three seasons, but Orford claimed leaving the Sea Eagles was "one of the hardest decisions I have ever made".
"I've been at Manly for four years and achieved some amazing goals so I was very fortunate to play for them and it was really tough to leave but I am really looking forward becoming a Bull," he added.
In his four seasons at Manly, who he joined from Melbourne Storm, Orford made 98 appearances, kicking 242 goals and scoring 17 tries.