http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20165075-23214,00.html
Titanic struggle as stars bail out
CRACKS continue to deepen on the Gold Coast, with Penrith forward Frank Puletua the latest player keen to renege on his deal with the Titans.
The development came as the relationship between Gold Coast and Melbourne soured over the tug-of-war for Steve Turner, with the Titans accusing Storm of bullying tactics and arrogance.
Puletua signed a two-year contract with Gold Coast in June, the 28-year-old brother of Panthers captain Tony is now believed to be anxious to remain at Penrith for family reasons.
"They're a very close family and I think he just doesn't feel comfortable leaving and his wife feels the same," Penrith football manager Michael Leary said last night. "We are sitting back and waiting to see if he can sort it out with them first."
Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle said last night that he would speak to Puletua's manager to resolve the issue. However, he sounded a strong warning that any player seeking a release at such a late stage of the Titans' preparation for entry into the NRL next season was likely to be unsuccessful.
"From our point of view if a player has committed to the club then we're firm that the player will be playing with the club," Searle said last night. "It would have to be extraordinary circumstances for us to even consider releasing a player at this late stage. "Cold feet isn't a reason for a release."
Puletua joins a worrying list of players contracted to the Coast looking to get out of their deals. Parramatta's Luke O'Dwyer examined the possibility of remaining with the Eels, while speculation continues to surround Newcastle's Great Britain international wing, Brian Carney.
Searle said he and coach John Cartwright had spoken to Carney and believed he was committed to honouring his deal.
Searle was also defiant over Turner, confirming the Melbourne wing had asked for a release last week before being told he was going nowhere. Turner was announced as one of the Titans' key signings in June, but he staged a backflip on Tuesday - when he signed a new deal to remain at Melbourne for three more years.
Searle is understood to have sarcastically told Waldron if he was so desperate to keep Turner then the Titans could arrange a swap for Billy Slater or Greg Inglis. Searle has presented the NRL with documentation to confirm Turner's commitment to his club - including a Postpack receipt of the contract sent to his manager David Riolo - and he has the support of chief executive David Gallop on the matter.
Turner is believed to have been disappointed with the Titans after they threatened to make him sit out the season - a position Searle did not back away from yesterday.
"Gorden Tallis made a decision many years ago (to sit out a season) and we've got a two-year term with Steve," Searle said. "No one wants to see that happen, and the kid's too good a footballer. At the end of the day, once the decision becomes a reality, I'm sure the boy will sit down and realise he made a commitment and will abide by his commitments."
Searle also said that Cartwright and football manager Scott Sattler - a former teammate of Turner during their time together at Penrith - had spoken to him to assure there would be no hard feelings.
"His greatest fear at the moment is we may have some sort of blame to place at Steve's feet," Searle said. "We don't blame Steve at all. We think Steve is probably the least to blame."
Searle wasn't as kind to Storm, which he accused of reprehensible conduct disrespectful to both his administration and supporters of the Titans.
"I don't use the word arrogant lightly but it reeks of arrogance," Searle said of Storm's retention of Turner. "I was quite clear to (chief executive) Brian (Waldron) on Tuesday that we had an agreement with Steven, and they decided to proceed with complete ignorance of that advice. The Storm's tactics were bullying on Tuesday and to sign an agreement with knowledge he'd already come to terms with us ... the Gold Coast of old may have rolled over but this organisation won't."
Waldron returned serve accusing Searle of being "emotional".
"We see no reason to get in a slanging match with him," Waldron said. "We've made our position clear. I think it's best we let the dust settle for a few days."
Gallop maintained his position would be to back the Titans if push came to shove.
Titanic struggle as stars bail out
CRACKS continue to deepen on the Gold Coast, with Penrith forward Frank Puletua the latest player keen to renege on his deal with the Titans.
The development came as the relationship between Gold Coast and Melbourne soured over the tug-of-war for Steve Turner, with the Titans accusing Storm of bullying tactics and arrogance.
Puletua signed a two-year contract with Gold Coast in June, the 28-year-old brother of Panthers captain Tony is now believed to be anxious to remain at Penrith for family reasons.
"They're a very close family and I think he just doesn't feel comfortable leaving and his wife feels the same," Penrith football manager Michael Leary said last night. "We are sitting back and waiting to see if he can sort it out with them first."
Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle said last night that he would speak to Puletua's manager to resolve the issue. However, he sounded a strong warning that any player seeking a release at such a late stage of the Titans' preparation for entry into the NRL next season was likely to be unsuccessful.
"From our point of view if a player has committed to the club then we're firm that the player will be playing with the club," Searle said last night. "It would have to be extraordinary circumstances for us to even consider releasing a player at this late stage. "Cold feet isn't a reason for a release."
Puletua joins a worrying list of players contracted to the Coast looking to get out of their deals. Parramatta's Luke O'Dwyer examined the possibility of remaining with the Eels, while speculation continues to surround Newcastle's Great Britain international wing, Brian Carney.
Searle said he and coach John Cartwright had spoken to Carney and believed he was committed to honouring his deal.
Searle was also defiant over Turner, confirming the Melbourne wing had asked for a release last week before being told he was going nowhere. Turner was announced as one of the Titans' key signings in June, but he staged a backflip on Tuesday - when he signed a new deal to remain at Melbourne for three more years.
Searle is understood to have sarcastically told Waldron if he was so desperate to keep Turner then the Titans could arrange a swap for Billy Slater or Greg Inglis. Searle has presented the NRL with documentation to confirm Turner's commitment to his club - including a Postpack receipt of the contract sent to his manager David Riolo - and he has the support of chief executive David Gallop on the matter.
Turner is believed to have been disappointed with the Titans after they threatened to make him sit out the season - a position Searle did not back away from yesterday.
"Gorden Tallis made a decision many years ago (to sit out a season) and we've got a two-year term with Steve," Searle said. "No one wants to see that happen, and the kid's too good a footballer. At the end of the day, once the decision becomes a reality, I'm sure the boy will sit down and realise he made a commitment and will abide by his commitments."
Searle also said that Cartwright and football manager Scott Sattler - a former teammate of Turner during their time together at Penrith - had spoken to him to assure there would be no hard feelings.
"His greatest fear at the moment is we may have some sort of blame to place at Steve's feet," Searle said. "We don't blame Steve at all. We think Steve is probably the least to blame."
Searle wasn't as kind to Storm, which he accused of reprehensible conduct disrespectful to both his administration and supporters of the Titans.
"I don't use the word arrogant lightly but it reeks of arrogance," Searle said of Storm's retention of Turner. "I was quite clear to (chief executive) Brian (Waldron) on Tuesday that we had an agreement with Steven, and they decided to proceed with complete ignorance of that advice. The Storm's tactics were bullying on Tuesday and to sign an agreement with knowledge he'd already come to terms with us ... the Gold Coast of old may have rolled over but this organisation won't."
Waldron returned serve accusing Searle of being "emotional".
"We see no reason to get in a slanging match with him," Waldron said. "We've made our position clear. I think it's best we let the dust settle for a few days."
Gallop maintained his position would be to back the Titans if push came to shove.
