Look I for one am just glad that the whole saga is over. For mine the fault purely and simply lay with Steve Turner, although I would suggest Melbourne didn't help matters.
Turner gave the titans his word on paper (emails are just as legal as paper these days), but didn't sign a formal contract. He then decided he didn't want to go for whatever reasons, told the storm so and they signed him up. I think the storm and turner probably felt that just like half the other broken contracts in league, that teh titans would just give up, but they didn't.
For mine I applaud the titans for holding out for what they wanted, they were totally in the right as far I am concerned. The cynical will suggest that it is not a suprise that the deal was made the same day it became official that rogers would be playing for the coast. But in saying the titans basically still got the deal they had always asked for, a couple of juniors and some compo.
Who won out, well you would have to say the titans overall.
Look I rate Turner, he has wraps on him since he was at penrith, but serious injuires have been a problem till 2006. He is a good player. Is he worth 2 juniors, well of course he is, Turner is money in the bank he is proven first grader, maybe only 5% of juniors progress to regular nrl spots. So if that was the deal the storm win. But add $50000, well thats basically money to do with what they want for the titans. Add the fact that the titans have used turner's salary to pay rogers, the titans are looking sweet.
Winners, Titans, get 2 good juniors, get Matt Rogers instead of Turner, short term this is better, long term who knows. Plus $50000 cash from Turner.
Losers: Storm, they aren't getting a new signing, and they lost 2 promising youngsters. Turner, lost cash and some integrity over the whole affair.
