Parramatta re-sign pair

Parramatta Eels have announced the re-signing of State of Origin prop Tim Mannah and local junior Matt Keating to the end of 2014 and 2013 respectively.

The announcement was made at the Pirtek Parramatta Eels Season Launch Gala Ball, celebrating 30 years since the Club’s first Premiership and hosting players from all four Grand Final winning sides as the Club’s Guests of Honour.

Both Mannah and Keating were nurtured through the Eels’ junior system and made their debut at a young age. They have since become entrenched members of the NRL side.

Tim Mannah, 23, is a Guildford Owls junior and sees a bright future at the Eels that he wants to be a part of after re-signing for a further three years.

“I love the place,” Mannah says of the Eels. “I feel like it’s the start of a new chapter in the Club’s history.

“It’s like a second home for me here. From the players, to the coaching staff, to the people in the office and our sponsors and Members, it’s all made me feel really comfortable about playing here.”

Cabramatta junior Matt Keating, 24, is also excited for the future and credits Coach Stephen Kearney as an integral reason for his decision to re-sign for two more years.

“I’m a local junior so I’m happy to stay and I’m excited to be working with Steve,” Keating says.

“We have a good core of players and we’re hoping to be around for a few years. We feel like there’s something to build on.”

Coach Stephen Kearney believes Mannah and Keating will be key components of the Pirtek Parramatta Eels for many years to come.

“I think they are two important signings and we have a definite plan of where we want to be as a footy club and they are a big part of that,” Kearney says.

“They are both local juniors and quality players that are a big part of the Club’s future and it was a priority to have them remain as part of the Club.”