MELBOURNE chief executive Brian Waldron insists his club will not offer financial compensation for winger Steve Turner, nor agree to a player swap, but concedes his early bullish approach to negotiations with the Gold Coast Titans jeopardised a deal.
Waldron and Titans managing director Michael Searle had coffee together during the NRL chief executives' conference this week, effectively opening dialogue.
"In retrospect, some of our early press releases accusing the Titans of being unprofessional were too strong," Waldron said.
The outspoken former AFL club chief executive antagonised Searle, who was keen to demonstrate that the new kid on the block would not be bullied.
The tug of war for the playing services of Turner developed into an ego battle between the two club chief executives.
Now, however, a deal appears possible with experienced winger/fullback Chris Walker trialling for a contract and reports versatile Wallaby Mat Rogers is keen to play with the Titans a year ahead of his 2008 agreement. However, Waldron maintains the Storm would not agree to financial compensation or a player swap.
Told that Turner was so desperate to remain in Melbourne that he would sacrifice his contract to allow the the Titans to buy another fullback, Waldron said: "He can give compensation but not us."
Searle said this would be an unsatisfactory outcome but conceded the circumstances for a deal now existed.
"The replacement of playing talent is important for us, especially from a depth point of view," Searle said.
Asked whether the presence of Walker and Rogers changed the Titans' expectation of compensation, Searle said, "Per se, they did not come from Melbourne. There is an onus on the Storm to sacrifice some playing strength."
