Eels star Nathan Cayless unwanted

Parramatta Eels Daniel Anderson denies Nathan Cayless is on hit list

<!-- author --> <dl id="author" class="clear"><!--dt></dt--><dd> By Brent Read
<!--strong>Former Australian Captain</strong --> <cite>April 09, 2009</cite> </dd></dl> <!-- // author --> <!-- // lead story --> <!-- story body --> Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson has moved to quash speculation that captain Nathan Cayless would be the next player ushered out the door as stunned teammates and officials came to grips with the shock departure of halfback Brett Finch.
Finch's decision to request a release - after being told he was no longer guaranteed a place in first grade - led to rumours that Anderson had begun a clean-out of the club.
While his players, including Cayless, insisted everyone was on notice, Anderson made it clear his skipper would not be part of a purge.
When asked about the Cayless rumours, Anderson told The Australian: "That's absolute bollocks. It's complete and utter garbage."
Finch, via his manager Steve Gillis, contacted Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald on Tuesday night requesting an immediate release from his million-dollar contract, which had a further two years to run.
The former NSW halfback, whose form had dipped over the opening month of the premiership, decided to get on the front foot after being told by Anderson that he was no longer the player to take the team forward.
"It's disappointing for everyone involved, but I wish Brett the best," Anderson said. "There hasn't been any fallout or any bad blood. I do wish him the best.
"I find him a real likeable young bloke and I am pretty confident he will say we got on well as a coach and player."
Finch, who was unlikely to play against St George Illawarra on Friday night because of a shoulder problem, insisted his exit was the club's agenda, not his own.
"I'm not bitter about it because the club made the decision," Finch said.
"I'm OK with it all. It was the club's decision to instigate the process and I accept Daniel's doing his best to build a successful team."
Although the final details of the release are yet to be ironed out, Fitzgerald admitted it was likely to be rubber-stamped pending a suitable financial deal.
Fitzgerald said it was his understanding that Finch would continue his career in England. While no NRL club contacted by The Australian showed an interest in signing Finch, Gillis insisted the former Blues No.7 would only agree to an unconditional release, creating the possibility that he could find a new home in the NRL.
Asked what would happen if the Eels tried to stop him finding a club in the NRL, Gillis replied: "He'll be at Parramatta training on Friday."
Finch's exit is the first tangible sign of the club being in transition. Although it has won two of its opening four games, Anderson has put the entire playing roster on notice.
"He's definitely shaking the joint up," forward Nathan Hindmarsh said. "Either you can handle it or you can't. It's a cut-throat business."
Cayless admitted the coach wasn't "the happiest of men" following the club's indifferent start. "He's just not happy with the way we're playing as a group," Cayless said. "He knows we can produce a lot more."
Former Manly half Jeff Robson is likely to wear the No.7 jersey for the Eels, although rumours persist that former Manly and Canberra half Michael Monaghan could return from Warrington to play with the club next season.
Finch's exit could also force Anderson to end his experiment with Jarryd Hayne at five-eighth.