http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/with-or-without-rogers-titans-wont-alter-stance-on-turner/2006/12/12/1165685680018.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
GOLD Coast managing director Michael Searle believes Melbourne officials may attempt to use the Titans' anticipated signing of Wallabies star Mat Rogers to pull out of the player-swap deal that had been expected to end the protracted Steve Turner saga.
But Searle said Rogers's signing - which may be finalised this week - would have no bearing on Turner's attempts to pull out of his deal, and vowed to continue to demand compensation from the Storm. The Titans are understood to be seeking two junior Storm-contracted players, who have already been earmarked by the Gold Coast, plus a financial settlement, as compensation for the loss of Turner.
Searle, who was yesterday still to hear back from Melbourne's chief executive Brian Waldron with a response, believes his counterpart may be waiting for the Rogers situation, which had looked like an unlikely solution to the ongoing spat between the two clubs, to play out before deciding whether to go ahead with the deal.
Melbourne believe if Rogers signs with the Titans, using money that would have originally been used to pay Turner, Gold Coast officials would not be able to press ahead with their demands.
But Searle insisted: "Our position isn't going to change. Whether or not they're waiting to see what happens with Mat Rogers, it doesn't change their obligation. Melbourne didn't send us Rogers. We're not going to reward Melbourne because Mat Rogers wants to come here. We've got our position on the table. If they think it's going to change if Mat Rogers signs, they're mistaken."
Proving the animosity between the two camps had not died down despite the two club bosses breaking bread at the recent CEOs conference, Searle also predicted the Storm would attempt to use the possible signing of Rogers to their favour by attempting to compare them in the hope of convincing the Titans to back down.
"I think they'll try and draw comparisons but there are no comparisons," Searle said. "If anyone tries to compare the two situations, they'd be a fool to do so. They're vastly different. One's got exceptional family circumstances and the other has got cold feet."
Searle said it was up to the Storm to ensure that Turner, who has offered to pay the difference between the two salaries for the next three seasons, plays in the NRL next season.
"It's in Melbourne's court," Searle said. "We've told them what we're happy to accept. If they want Steve Turner to play they have to activate it. If they don't want to do the deal, that's fine, but that means he won't be playing."
Saying it had become a matter of principle, coach John Cartwright echoed Searle, insisting the Titans would not budge on their demands even if Rogers gains a release from his rugby union contracts to join the club a year ahead of schedule.
"It comes down to how much Melbourne want to keep him now," Cartwright said. "They made an offer to him, knowing full well he had an agreement with us. I don't think Mat Rogers has got anything to do with us and Melbourne, to be honest. They've left us short a player. To do what they've done, it's only fair, for us to release him, that they supply us with a player or players. If Melbourne really want to keep Steve, they've got to at least talk turkey with us. There are 25 players in the same boat as Steve. They all made a big decision to come up here. It does make you crook in the guts that Steve's done what he's done, but he's had a fair bit of help from Melbourne in that regard as well."
Rogers will meet both ARU chief executive Gary Flowers and Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie over the next two days as he continues his attempts to secure a release, with the Titans ready to make an immediate offer should he be successful.
GOLD Coast managing director Michael Searle believes Melbourne officials may attempt to use the Titans' anticipated signing of Wallabies star Mat Rogers to pull out of the player-swap deal that had been expected to end the protracted Steve Turner saga.
But Searle said Rogers's signing - which may be finalised this week - would have no bearing on Turner's attempts to pull out of his deal, and vowed to continue to demand compensation from the Storm. The Titans are understood to be seeking two junior Storm-contracted players, who have already been earmarked by the Gold Coast, plus a financial settlement, as compensation for the loss of Turner.
Searle, who was yesterday still to hear back from Melbourne's chief executive Brian Waldron with a response, believes his counterpart may be waiting for the Rogers situation, which had looked like an unlikely solution to the ongoing spat between the two clubs, to play out before deciding whether to go ahead with the deal.
Melbourne believe if Rogers signs with the Titans, using money that would have originally been used to pay Turner, Gold Coast officials would not be able to press ahead with their demands.
But Searle insisted: "Our position isn't going to change. Whether or not they're waiting to see what happens with Mat Rogers, it doesn't change their obligation. Melbourne didn't send us Rogers. We're not going to reward Melbourne because Mat Rogers wants to come here. We've got our position on the table. If they think it's going to change if Mat Rogers signs, they're mistaken."
Proving the animosity between the two camps had not died down despite the two club bosses breaking bread at the recent CEOs conference, Searle also predicted the Storm would attempt to use the possible signing of Rogers to their favour by attempting to compare them in the hope of convincing the Titans to back down.
"I think they'll try and draw comparisons but there are no comparisons," Searle said. "If anyone tries to compare the two situations, they'd be a fool to do so. They're vastly different. One's got exceptional family circumstances and the other has got cold feet."
Searle said it was up to the Storm to ensure that Turner, who has offered to pay the difference between the two salaries for the next three seasons, plays in the NRL next season.
"It's in Melbourne's court," Searle said. "We've told them what we're happy to accept. If they want Steve Turner to play they have to activate it. If they don't want to do the deal, that's fine, but that means he won't be playing."
Saying it had become a matter of principle, coach John Cartwright echoed Searle, insisting the Titans would not budge on their demands even if Rogers gains a release from his rugby union contracts to join the club a year ahead of schedule.
"It comes down to how much Melbourne want to keep him now," Cartwright said. "They made an offer to him, knowing full well he had an agreement with us. I don't think Mat Rogers has got anything to do with us and Melbourne, to be honest. They've left us short a player. To do what they've done, it's only fair, for us to release him, that they supply us with a player or players. If Melbourne really want to keep Steve, they've got to at least talk turkey with us. There are 25 players in the same boat as Steve. They all made a big decision to come up here. It does make you crook in the guts that Steve's done what he's done, but he's had a fair bit of help from Melbourne in that regard as well."
Rogers will meet both ARU chief executive Gary Flowers and Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie over the next two days as he continues his attempts to secure a release, with the Titans ready to make an immediate offer should he be successful.
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