Manly ‘positive’ on Barrett talks

IT was the high-powered meeting Manly hoped would keep rival raiders away from indemand coach Trent Barrett.

Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn yesterday held vital contract talks with Barrett (pictured) in North Sydney.

Barrett’s adviser Wayne Beavis was also present to discuss a possible two-year contract extension. However, no deal was reached.

Penn described the meeting as “positive” although Beavis wasn’t so optimistic.

“We’re getting closer – it’s a process. But we’ll get there. Positive discussions,” Penn said.

Beavis was hopeful without being overly confident a deal would be struck to extend Barrett’s tenure beyond 2018.

“There are contingency plans, of course,” Beavis said. “The deal has got to be right. You’re never confident until the ink is on the paper.”

Manly hope to announce the retention of Barrett — and possibly a new CEO following Tim Cleary’s departure — in the next six weeks.

Barrett was on a four-man shortlist for the vacant Canterbury job, which went to Dean Pay, and Gold Coast have a strong interest in Barrett.