Phil Gould reveals Michael Gordon is to leave Penrith Panthers after signing with Cronulla Sharks on three-year deal
Off to the Sharks: Michael Gordon. Picture: Mark Evans
Source: The Daily Telegraph
INJURED Penrith back and former NSW Origin star Michael Gordon will leave the Panthers at the end of the year to join the Sharks.
Gordon, who is currently on the sidelines with a broken leg sustained in round one, has signed a three year deal with the Shire club.
Gordon created
controversy in the pre-season when he expressed his desire to play fullback for the Panthers, only to be
relegated to the wing despite some brilliant trial performances.
Interestingly, Panthers General Manager Phil Gould made the announcement this afternoon rather than new club the Sharks - reminiscent of South Sydney owner Russell Crowe trumpeting Chris Sandows departure to Parramatta last year.
Its sad to lose a player of Michaels calibre, and such a wonderful person, Gould said in a statement.
Im sure I speak on behalf of everyone involved with our club, and our fans, in wishing Michael and his family well in the next three seasons at the Sharks. In the meantime, we look forward to Michael recovering from his current injury, and playing more football with the Panthers during the 2012 season.
The Daily Telegraph understands Gordon was shopped around to rival clubs as a fullback, not a winger.
"We believe Michael can be in the top group of fullbacks and we certainly won't be discussing him as a winger for his next contract," manager Andrew Purcell said in February.
"And he will be going on the open market as a fullback if things don't work out.
"We tried to do his last deal as a fullback, but he hadn't played a game there at that point and people hadn't seen what he could do."