NATHAN Peats said while it was tough to leave his good mates at Parramatta, he was just as excited about the new challenges that awaited him on the Gold Coast.
Peats became the third and final player forced out of the Eels overnight so the club could become salary cap compliant and eligible for competition points.
The 18-month deal with the Titans means Peats has now played his last game in the blue and gold.
Peats said his goodbyes to his Eels teammates this morning.
But Peats made sure he caught up with the Eels players on Thursday morning for a quick coffee before they commenced the captain’s run without him.
“It is what it is, footy is a business, and I’ve finally realised it’s a business,’’ Peats told a packed media scrum behind Pirtek Stadium, where a packed house is expected for Friday night’s clash against South Sydney.
“I’m just looking forward to going to the Titans and playing some good footy.’’
Peats said he was unsure if he would be rushed into the Gold Coast side to play the Sydney Roosters at home on Monday night.
Eels coach Brad Arthur said of losing Peats: “It’s a tough call, and as a coach and as a mate we’re pretty devastated by it.
“We’ve got to try and stop focusing on the negatives and try and get a positive out of it which is we’re playing for points.
Arthur says he was devastated to lose Peats.
“At the end of the day it’s not a decision that I wanted to make, but it was a decision that was forced upon us by the situation.’’
Former NRL auditor Ian Schubert will make the trek into League Central to present the final proposal that will ensure the Eels wipe away the excess $570,000 in their cap.
Along with Anthony Watmough’s retirement, and Ryan Morgan’s $70,000 move to Melbourne, Parramatta are expecting the proposal to be rubber-stamped by the NRL.
Should there be no last-minute hiccups, the Eels will play for their first ‘’win’’ against Souths.
