Josh Hoffman?s manager confirms the Brisbane Broncos fullback wants out to join the Bulldogs
Peter Badel EXCLUSIVE
News Limited
February 17, 2014 12:00AM
JOSH Hoffman?s manager has taken aim at the Brisbane hierarchy over their contract saga, confirming the disgruntled utility has formally sought a release from the Broncos.
Broncos chief executive Paul White is determined for Hoffman to honour the final two years of his deal, with the club claiming the Kiwi Test star has never personally asked to leave the club.
But Hoffman?s agent, Paul Hogan, on Sunday night broke his silence on the protracted affair.
He says both he and Hoffman have asked Broncos management for a release several times, the latest request coming on January 24.
Amid the stand-off, Hogan says he met with Broncos boss White, tabling a list of reasons why Hoffman wants out to embark on a fresh start with the Bulldogs.
Canterbury coach Des Hasler is sweating on Hoffman?s availability and Hogan urged the Broncos to help facilitate a release in the same seamless manner that allowed Ben Barba to join Brisbane.
?For the Broncos to suggest we haven?t asked for a release is simply untrue,? Hogan said.
?I want to set the record straight now, Josh has personally asked for a release and I have also requested one on his behalf.
?Myself and the Hoffman family are all extremely disappointed at the way the Broncos have handled this situation.
?If the Broncos asked Josh if he wants to go tomorrow, he would say yes, I would like to go.
?The Broncos are claiming Josh Hoffman doesn?t want a release - but I can confirm he does.
?The Bulldogs bent over backwards to let Ben Barba go. Why won't the Broncos (reciprocate)? ?He wants a fresh start. I have met with Paul White and I went through a list of points on why Josh is seeking a release.?
Hogan detailed the sequence of events that led to Hoffman?s request for a release after his return to Brisbane from New Zealand's World Cup campaign.
?Anthony Griffin sent Josh a text message on Boxing Day asking Josh to be at the Broncos office the next morning. Josh said he was in Mackay on holidays, so they agreed to talk on the phone,? he said.
?During that conversation, Josh told Anthony he wanted out of the Broncos. Anthony told him to get me to ring Raelene Castle at the Bulldogs and have her deal with Paul White.
?I have the times and dates where we have met with the Broncos. Both Anthony Griffin and Paul White know Josh wants out.?
White said on Sunday: ?He (Hoffman) has got two years to go on a contract. He?s training well.
?I haven?t spoken to the coach, but Josh will get opportunities here to improve himself.
?We want to see him do his best for this club ... everything I?ve seen from Josh is that he is committed.?
Hogan dismissed suggestions Hoffman is merely seeking a better pay day at the Bulldogs.
While the 25-year-old is keen to cement an NRL career at fullback, Hogan says Hoffman is equally concerned with his development at the Broncos.
The Mackay product was left stunned by a public off-season appraisal from teammate Justin Hodges that Hoffman was not ?the right guy? to play fullback, and Ben Barba should be the Broncos? No.1 instead.
Despite training strongly and playing well at the NRL Nines on Sunday, including a superb 50m solo effort, Hoffman privately believes he needs a new challenge at Belmore.
?This has nothing to do with money,? Hogan said. ?We haven?t even had a formal offer from the Bulldogs. I haven?t even discussed figures with the Bulldogs. They have made it clear they are interested if he wasn?t at the Broncos and that?s it.
?Josh is seeking an opportunity at fullback and developing as a footballer as, in his mind, it?s not happening at the Broncos.
?There are teammates of Josh?s who know he wants a release. I don?t know why the Broncos continue to deny it.
?In an ideal world, we could work something out before the season and start afresh.
?But if the Broncos refuse to accept a release, then Josh will have no choice to play there for the next two seasons, because he is a professional and he will honour his contract.?