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Dane departs

Carl Marsden
1/12/2004

OLDHAM have waved goodbye to Dane Morgan after the signing of Marty Turner filled their overseas quota.

Christchurch-born Turner, aged 23, signed from Melbourne Storm to replace Ian Watson. With only one overseas player allowed, coach Gary Mercer decided a scrum-half was his priority, meaning Morgan, who has been heavily linked with Batley Bulldogs, becomes a free agent.

Mercer said: "I felt it was vital we used that quota with a signing in a key position that is pivotal to the team. Marty will be our general to get us around the pitch, he has a good kicking game and comes from good stock.

"It was important that he is a proven goalkicker too - he averages over 80 per cent success. It was a tough decision to let Dane go and were it not for quotas we'd have definitely been interested in re-signing him."

Turner just completed a season with Brisbane Norths - where he won a Back of the Year award in the Queensland Cup - after recovering from a bad car crash.

Meanwhile, Craig Farrimond and Adam Sharples are the latest players to re-sign for the Roughyeds.

Mercer said: "I'm delighted to have them on board and they'll have a chance to impress me in pre-season. We're still looking overseas for players able to sign under the Kolpak ruling. It's important to me that we have a good strong pack to drive us forward. Recruitment is slow but I will persevere to get the right men."