http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22278454-5001023,00.html
By Barry Toohey
August 21, 2007 12:00am
THE contract stand-off between the Newcastle Knights and unwanted forward Kirk Reynoldson reached flashpoint yesterday with court action moving a step closer to reality.
The pressure is building on Knights coach Brian Smith to name Reynoldson in the team today to meet North Queensland after the club was sent a letter of demand late yesterday threatening court action by solicitors acting on behalf of the second-rower.
If he is selected to play his 15th NRL game of the season, he will activate a retention clause in his $196,500 contract for 2008.
But if he is again snubbed, players' association president Matt Rodwell said he believed Reynoldson would have a case for discrimination if he is not selected today.
"The team selection tomorrow is an important day for the Newcastle club," Rodwell said yesterday.
"According to the club, Kirk's non-selection has been based on form.
"But given the display of the team at the weekend against Penrith, maybe it is fair to say he is being discriminated against if he doesn't get a call-up this week."
Reynoldson's selection against the Cowboys would end any talk of possible court action by the second-rower.
The Knights were sent a letter of demand late yesterday from Davidson and Sullivan Solicitors acting on behalf of Reynoldson.
In the letter, obtained by The Daily Telegraph, the club is given 48 hours to respond to a demand that Reynoldson's contract be honoured or risk the matter going to the Supreme Court.
"The contract provides in clause 30.4 that if our client plays in 15 or more NRL first grade matches during the 2007 season, the club will automatically exercise an option for the 2008 season at the sign-on fee nominated in schedule 2 in the sum of $196,500," the letter reads.
"Our client has this year to date played in 14 matches and is concerned that the club by intentionally not selecting him to play his 15th match of the season is attempting to not honour its contract with him.
"Our advice to our client is that, if the club failed to select him to play his 15th match when his performances warranted selection, the club has breached its duty of care to him."
Knights senior executive officer Steve Burraston said late yesterday he was not in receipt of the letter.
"I haven't seen any letter as yet," Burraston said.
"But it doesn't concern me too much. I am very comfortable with both our legal and moral position in regards to Kirk."
Burraston also denied any added pressure to name Reynoldson in the team for the Cowboys game.
"There is no pressure whatsoever," he said.
"He can be selected or he may not be. We have a few players coming back.
"We expect to have Bedsy (Danny Buderus), Josh Perry and Dan Tolar all available for selection this week."
The Reynoldson camp is denying it has received any formal settlement offer from the Knights but is not interested even if one is put on the table.
"All Kirk is interested in is playing for the Knights," mentor Les Ross said.
"He's not interested in a settlement or a termination payment. He just wants to honour his contract."
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