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Moltzen breaks silence on Dragons move, but he's still a Tiger at heart - for now
Michael Chammas
August 2, 2011
Gloves off ... the decision by Tim Moltzen, left, to leave the Tigers and sign a three-year contract with the Dragons prompted a scathing attack from the club's chief executive. Photo: James Brickwood
WESTS Tigers utility Tim Moltzen has broken his silence on the contract saga which sparked an emotional war of words between two of rugby league's biggest clubs.
In his first interview since signing a three-year deal with St George Illawarra, Moltzen yesterday told the Herald he was at peace with his decision, defending his choice to join the Dragons in 2012.
Moltzen's decision to leave the Tigers was greeted with a hasty response from the club's chief executive Stephen Humphreys, who in a scathing attack labelled the Dragons ''arrogant'' and ''disrespectful''.
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Humphreys's spray was aimed at the Dragons for the timing of the announcement - it happened just hours before the Tigers played Parramatta last month - but Dragons boss Peter Doust denied any wrong-doing in the matter.
Moltzen is intent on finishing off his time at the Tigers on a high. ''You're not around forever,'' the 22-year-old said ahead of Friday night's blockbuster between the two clubs at the Sydney Football Stadium. ''You have to make the most of the opportunities you have and this is the way it's turned out. I'm happy with the decision.''
Moltzen was reluctant to delve into the politics surrounding the deal when quizzed yesterday, wary of reigniting the topic which was at the forefront of great discussion only weeks ago.
Despite another year left on his contract, the Tigers had given Moltzen permission to talk to other clubs, which led to interest from Cronulla, South Sydney and the Dragons.
The Herald understands that Moltzen's manager Martin Tauber had informed the Tigers of his client's decision three days prior to the Dragons' announcement.
Despite understanding the public interest with his situation, Moltzen was eager to bypass the issue to instead concentrate on starring for the Tigers on Friday night. ''It's a weight off my shoulders,'' Moltzen said. ''I don't have to worry about the issue any more. It's put to bed and my future's decided. All my focus is on the Tigers this year and making a charge towards the premiership.''
Having never met Dragons coach-in-waiting Steve Price before he was given permission to negotiate with other NRL clubs, Moltzen has since met up with his future coach on several occasions to discuss his plans for the future.
But he insists that he hasn't been guaranteed a certain position in the team for 2012. ''We spoke about it because I wanted to know where I stood going to a club like that,'' Moltzen said. ''I suppose we'll see how preseason goes and what he decides to do with me next season.
''I'm happy to play wherever, but for me it's about staying in one spot and trying to better myself in that position. That's what I'll be looking to do - but where that is, I'm not too sure at the moment.''
Moltzen, who lives with Tigers superstar Benji Marshall and is no stranger to a beachside lifestyle having played on the Central Coast, will make the move to Wollongong at the end of the season.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...rt--for-now-20110801-1i892.html#ixzz1TrkGm71n
Michael Chammas
August 2, 2011
WESTS Tigers utility Tim Moltzen has broken his silence on the contract saga which sparked an emotional war of words between two of rugby league's biggest clubs.
In his first interview since signing a three-year deal with St George Illawarra, Moltzen yesterday told the Herald he was at peace with his decision, defending his choice to join the Dragons in 2012.
Moltzen's decision to leave the Tigers was greeted with a hasty response from the club's chief executive Stephen Humphreys, who in a scathing attack labelled the Dragons ''arrogant'' and ''disrespectful''.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Humphreys's spray was aimed at the Dragons for the timing of the announcement - it happened just hours before the Tigers played Parramatta last month - but Dragons boss Peter Doust denied any wrong-doing in the matter.
Moltzen is intent on finishing off his time at the Tigers on a high. ''You're not around forever,'' the 22-year-old said ahead of Friday night's blockbuster between the two clubs at the Sydney Football Stadium. ''You have to make the most of the opportunities you have and this is the way it's turned out. I'm happy with the decision.''
Moltzen was reluctant to delve into the politics surrounding the deal when quizzed yesterday, wary of reigniting the topic which was at the forefront of great discussion only weeks ago.
Despite another year left on his contract, the Tigers had given Moltzen permission to talk to other clubs, which led to interest from Cronulla, South Sydney and the Dragons.
The Herald understands that Moltzen's manager Martin Tauber had informed the Tigers of his client's decision three days prior to the Dragons' announcement.
Despite understanding the public interest with his situation, Moltzen was eager to bypass the issue to instead concentrate on starring for the Tigers on Friday night. ''It's a weight off my shoulders,'' Moltzen said. ''I don't have to worry about the issue any more. It's put to bed and my future's decided. All my focus is on the Tigers this year and making a charge towards the premiership.''
Having never met Dragons coach-in-waiting Steve Price before he was given permission to negotiate with other NRL clubs, Moltzen has since met up with his future coach on several occasions to discuss his plans for the future.
But he insists that he hasn't been guaranteed a certain position in the team for 2012. ''We spoke about it because I wanted to know where I stood going to a club like that,'' Moltzen said. ''I suppose we'll see how preseason goes and what he decides to do with me next season.
''I'm happy to play wherever, but for me it's about staying in one spot and trying to better myself in that position. That's what I'll be looking to do - but where that is, I'm not too sure at the moment.''
Moltzen, who lives with Tigers superstar Benji Marshall and is no stranger to a beachside lifestyle having played on the Central Coast, will make the move to Wollongong at the end of the season.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...rt--for-now-20110801-1i892.html#ixzz1TrkGm71n