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http://www.ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,16090999%255E23214,00.html
Sharks bite back at Peachey
CRONULLA's hierarchy has accused David Peachey of biting the hand that feeds after the veteran fullback claimed the NRL club "left me high and dry".
Peachey, 31, today accused the Sharks of showing "no loyalty", saying it hurt that he had to finish his rugby league career in England after a 13-year association with the club.
Peachey told News Ltd that he was disappointed that the Sharks only offered him a one-year extension last season when he felt he could play for "two or three more years".
"If it was a two-year deal, I would have been happy. They are treating it as business," the classy fullback said.
"I wanted it to finish on my terms, but they have done otherwise.
"There is a little bit of hurt there given the loyalty I have shown this club and organisation over the last 13 years ... no anger, more disappointment for the simple fact that I was injury-free last year and enjoying my football."
Sharks general manager Steve Rogers and chairman Barry Pierce admitted they were "disappointed" and "surprised" by Peachey's claims.
Rogers said the club had been there for Peachey during "the tough times", namely a period last year when the fullback took a week off due to personal problems.
Last February Peachey left the club without explanation and retreated to Condah on the Victoria-South Australia border, attempting to regain his rugby league focus.
He was forced to apologise to teammates when he returned.
"Obviously it's disappointing. We've done a lot of things for David over the last 13 years which weren't reported but David is aware of that," Rogers said.
"(Coach) Stuart (Raper) and I have had long conversations with David and explained the situation with him."
Rogers said Peachey sang a different tune when told that he would only be given a one-year extension.
"At the time, David was very thankful and appreciative of the conversation," he said.
"He may not have necessarily liked the outcome of the conversation but he was certainly appreciative of the fact that we sat him down early on and spoke to him about it.
"We told him at that stage that we were looking at going in another direction and he accepted that.
"A very, very tough decision has been made in what we consider to be the best interests of the club."
Pierce accused Peachey of having a short memory.
"David's been tremendous for us but we've been great for him too," he said.
"It's been well documented that he has had some hard times, and we've been supportive of him right throughout all that and still are.
"David's always been a personal friend of mine. I've been with him through some good times, bad times and hard times he will always have my support.
"It's just unfortunate that the English club he was going to next year (Widnes) looks like it will be relegated."
Asked if the club would speak to Peachey about the article, Pierce said: "We want to keep our minds on football this weekend".
Sharks bite back at Peachey
CRONULLA's hierarchy has accused David Peachey of biting the hand that feeds after the veteran fullback claimed the NRL club "left me high and dry".
Peachey, 31, today accused the Sharks of showing "no loyalty", saying it hurt that he had to finish his rugby league career in England after a 13-year association with the club.
Peachey told News Ltd that he was disappointed that the Sharks only offered him a one-year extension last season when he felt he could play for "two or three more years".
"If it was a two-year deal, I would have been happy. They are treating it as business," the classy fullback said.
"I wanted it to finish on my terms, but they have done otherwise.
"There is a little bit of hurt there given the loyalty I have shown this club and organisation over the last 13 years ... no anger, more disappointment for the simple fact that I was injury-free last year and enjoying my football."
Sharks general manager Steve Rogers and chairman Barry Pierce admitted they were "disappointed" and "surprised" by Peachey's claims.
Rogers said the club had been there for Peachey during "the tough times", namely a period last year when the fullback took a week off due to personal problems.
Last February Peachey left the club without explanation and retreated to Condah on the Victoria-South Australia border, attempting to regain his rugby league focus.
He was forced to apologise to teammates when he returned.
"Obviously it's disappointing. We've done a lot of things for David over the last 13 years which weren't reported but David is aware of that," Rogers said.
"(Coach) Stuart (Raper) and I have had long conversations with David and explained the situation with him."
Rogers said Peachey sang a different tune when told that he would only be given a one-year extension.
"At the time, David was very thankful and appreciative of the conversation," he said.
"He may not have necessarily liked the outcome of the conversation but he was certainly appreciative of the fact that we sat him down early on and spoke to him about it.
"We told him at that stage that we were looking at going in another direction and he accepted that.
"A very, very tough decision has been made in what we consider to be the best interests of the club."
Pierce accused Peachey of having a short memory.
"David's been tremendous for us but we've been great for him too," he said.
"It's been well documented that he has had some hard times, and we've been supportive of him right throughout all that and still are.
"David's always been a personal friend of mine. I've been with him through some good times, bad times and hard times he will always have my support.
"It's just unfortunate that the English club he was going to next year (Widnes) looks like it will be relegated."
Asked if the club would speak to Peachey about the article, Pierce said: "We want to keep our minds on football this weekend".
