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Melbourne Storm’s Frank Ponissi has swatted away speculation linking him to Manly, making clear he has no intention of heading north despite reported overtures from the Sea Eagles.<\/p>\n
The Sea Eagles had reportedly set their sights on Ponissi in the wake of Anthony Seibold’s sacking, with the club’s board said to be eyeing the Storm powerbroker, a man who, somewhat ironically, was born in Manly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The approach, if there ever was one, fell on deaf ears.<\/p>\n
Ponissi, who has called Melbourne home since 2007 and is locked in until the end of 2029, was candid about his bemusement at the whole affair.<\/p>\n
“It’s a bit embarrassing, all this media stuff,\u201d Ponissi said on SEN Afternoons.<\/p>\n
“We should be talking about players and coaches\u2026 not 60-year-old football managers.<\/p>\n
“It’s been obviously a slow media week up north.<\/p>\n
“(I’ve got) no idea where this has come from, but I haven’t spoken to anyone for a start.<\/p>\n
“Regardless, I’ve got three years remaining on my contract, and I’m very happy where I am.<\/p>\n
“(I) love the club, love the people I work with and love what I do, so no idea where it came from, and the sooner it ends, the better.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Far from eyeing the exit, Ponissi redirected focus toward Manly’s own football department, offering a pointed reminder that the Sea Eagles are hardly short-staffed in the front office.<\/p>\n
“More importantly, and it’s really important, too, is that they’ve got a terrific GM (general manager) and a fellow called Peter Gentle. He’s a good man, and he’s a good operator.<\/p>\n
“I have no idea where this came from, and hopefully it ends.<\/p>\n
“I’ve got more important things to worry about this week with trying to win a game of footy and help Craig (Bellamy) and the coaches and the players, and more importantly, look after the health of one of our players.\u201d<\/p>\n
Widely regarded as one of the sharpest operators in the game, Ponissi has been a cornerstone of the Storm’s extraordinary two-decade stranglehold on rugby league.<\/p>\n
Yet arguably his most compelling project is unfolding right now, cracking the AFL’s grip on Melbourne’s sporting landscape by nurturing a homegrown NRL<\/a> pipeline.<\/p>\n The fruits of that labour are already ripening, with local product Sua Fa’alogo<\/a>, a Victorian-born and raised, seizing his chance at fullback in Ryan Papenhuyzen’s absence.<\/p>\n Ponissi did not attempt to hide his irritation at the distraction, but quickly shifted gears to the work that truly drives him.<\/p>\n \u201c(I’m) probably annoyed more than surprised (about the rumours) to be honest, but it is what it is,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m really excited over the next few years.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ve spoken before on the show about what we’re doing in our pathways.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m really passionate about it, and anyone that’s worked with pathways knows it’s a slow build.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need patience, you need time, and I’m going to have plenty of that over the next few years, and I’m really looking forward to what we can do with some really outstanding young players coming through the system.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s what really excites me for the next few years.”<\/p>\n The Melbourne Storm<\/a> head to Commbank Stadium to play the undefeated Penrith Panthers<\/a>, as the Storm are currently on a two-game losing streak.<\/p>\n
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