Thompson, Timmins: 'determined to stay'

[Willow]

Thompson, Timmins determined to stay

By PAUL SUTTOR
October 11, 2005

DRAGONS stars Lance Thompson and Shaun Timmins are determined to play out the final year of their contracts, leaving club management to sort out its $300,000 salary cap mess.

The club stalwarts are facing the axe as St George Illawarra officials try to reduce their payroll during the off-season to comply with the $3.366million salary cap for 2006.

Timmins was told by coach Nathan Brown that the club would support him if he stayed, while Thompson last night said he still had not been contacted by Brown or chief executive Peter Doust since told of the rumoured plan to off-load him at the club's presentation dinner last Friday night.

Thompson said he did not, at this stage, want to tell his side of the story.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/articles/2005/10/10/1128796466936.html


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It took until after the weekend but its finally sunk in that these guys are still under contact. Sure, the club can probably pay them out but there has to be a question mark over how practical that is.

The bonuses being paid to rep players has created this situation and now the club has to sort it out, simple as that really. If players want to help out, then that's their choice. But they're not really obliged to do so.

With Ennis going to Brisbane and Torrens apparently heading to the Sharks, we still have at least one player to go.

It may be that we'll have to start looking at other players who are coming off-contract next year.

 

[Steel Dragon]

It would be funny if Thommo has been carrying on that no one has contacted him, and he has his phone switched off, or hasnt checked his machine. Not that im saying he is an idiot or anything, but if all this brou-haha was over some silly miscommunication it would be a little humorous.

 

[Sir Biffo]

I seriously wonder why the bloody hell they extended Greenshields' contract by a year. He's almost a certainty to go to the Gold Coast in 07, he will start the year in Premier League and only come in if we have a serious injury. Why they would keep both him and Reece Simmonds (who can cover fullback and winger, then push Wes into the centres if need be) is questionable. Surely one of these two should have been let go before this mess started. Was Dousty just praying that Creagh didn't get selected for the Kangaroos? Surely the problem must have been a little obvious before this Friday.

 

[Ribs]

I was just about to write the same thing regarding Greenshields.....

Id like to know what he is on for next year, that seems like a ridiculous decision given the circumstances.

 

[Dragonwest]

he was resigned to provide us cover in the halves, if head or baz are out, hornby would move up putting greenshields at the back.

 

[Steel Dragon]

He will come in handy during origin we should have a few boys picked- but it hardly seems enough to warrant a big pay cheque.

 

[Collateral]

What a suprise...lies and a story blown out of proportion.

 

[Ribs]

I cant understand why whoever it was told Thommo he had played his last game for us.....

Surely he is to blame for this? They should know by now that Thommo is a firey character and Im not surprised at all by his reaction given what he was told.

 

[Willow]

Bruce Spaul - League Club Director - was reported in the papers as being the 'mutual friend'. We don't know how correct this is or if the crownie factor was playing a part.

It was the end of year function after all, and everyone was looking forward to some holidays.

 

[Steel Dragon]

Someone needs to make a "Haul Spaul" sign to accompany the "Oust Doust" and "Down with Brown" ones - or instead of them.

 

[Godz Illa]

Jason Ryles asserts himself as a leader of the club.

Ryles hopes the club can retain Timmins and Thompson but said all players faced the possibility of being squeezed out of clubs for financial reasons.



"At the end of the day it's a business," Ryles said last night.

"Anyone who thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves.

"The club's got to make decisions and sometimes they're tough decisions.

"It's the way it sort of happens.

"It will be my turn and Trent's (Barrett) turn in a couple of years.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16880807-23214,00.html

 

[drake]

Good work Rylesy.

 

[AshMang]

but why resign him as a cover? if you want a team full of superstars then you cant afford to have cover players like him, especially when we have such a good flegg/premier league group coming through. If its really $300 000 over than by just getting rid of lance wont dint that figure much, beecause surely he isnt on that much of a salary.. it would take both of them or just timmins to go.

 

[BIKER DRAGON]

doust you are a clown how did you ever let this happen are you in control of this club or what!!!!!! this is the reality of the last week

Having re-signed Luke Bailey and Clint Greenshields for one extra year before they both head off to the Gold Coast, did Doust only just discover the club is $300,000 over the cap for next year? And how was the most promising hooker, Michael Ennis, allowed to depart to the Broncos?

LETTING ENNIS GO 1ST SIGN OF DOUST MADNESS

The timing is such that all other NRL clubs have committed to their salary cap and cannot afford Timmins and Thompson.

GREAT REPAYMENT FOR BEING A LOYAL CLUBMAN

If there is any accountability here, the buck has to stop with Doust. The Dragons board should be looking at his performance of late, which hasn't been nearly as impressive as the strident runs Thompson puts in and the brave injury comebacks of Timmins.

NEVER A TRUER WORD SPOKEN

Let's see Doust's reaction if he is told to take a walk. Now that may be embarrassing.

IS THE WRITING ON THE WALL DOUST

THE DRAGONS NEED ANOTHER FRANK FACER REAL QUICK

FRANK WOULD BE ROLLING IN HIS GRAVE TODAY WITH THE WAY HIS GREAT CLUB IS BEING RUN AT BOARD LEVEL