Turner, Titans dispute nears end
January 25, 2007
THE long-running Steve Turner dispute between Melbourne and Gold Coast has almost come to a close after promising full-back Smith Samau was cleared of a serious shoulder injury yesterday.
Samau, 20, was one of two Storm players offered to the Titans as part of a compensation package in exchange for the release of Turner from his three-year agreement with the NRL newcomers.
But Samau reinjured his left shoulder during a wrestling drill just days before agreeing to transfer to the Titans.
"He doesn't need any reconstructive surgery which is great," Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle said after receiving the interim report from Melbourne shoulder specialist Dr Greg Hoy yesterday.
"The surgeon is more than happy with the shoulder and that gives us the confidence to move forward and negotiate a deal with the two players (Samau and 19-year-old Daniel Isaac).
"Provided we can come to terms with the players, we'll grant a release to Steve Turner upon those players signing contracts with us."
That scenario would free Turner to play against the Titans in what looms as an intriguing trial in Coffs Harbour on February 17.
Searle said Samau's injury was a minor shoulder dislocation but the full-back was still in full training with the Storm and required only "a little bit of rehab".
"It appears the club doctor will give him a clean bill of health based on the surgeon's advice," Searle added.
"He's the best shoulder surgeon in the country so we can't do better than that."
Having been stunned by Turner in August last year when he re-signed with the Storm despite agreeing to play for Gold Coast in 2007, the Titans are taking no chances this time. They are refusing to release the 22-year-old winger until Samau and Isaac have signed contracts with the club.
The Titans and Storm have been embroiled in a bitter battle over Turner's services for the past five months.
AAP
