eelandia said:
Some of you are forgetting that Turner publicly proclaimed he would be playing with the Titans next year on 2KY's BSB.
Then suddenly he had re-signed with the Storm.
Comparing it with the Rogers situation is a stretch at best.
In regards to Frank P, he was let go by the Titans because his religion came into play...and we all know how dangerous it is to fight someone based on religious grounds. Hence, the Titans thought it best to let him go.
****
And some of you are forgetting that Turner is NOT disputing the fact that he thought he was going to the Titans. What is in dispute is that Turner did NOT sign a contract nor was one lodged within the required time period (later confirmed by the NRL) and subsequently approached the Storm wanting to change his mind.
People make mistakes, and Steve Turner made one. Just like Matt Rogers wanting to change his mind. They are not the same events - but there are similarities: The Titans hope Rogers can get a release, so to do the Storm with Turner and the Titans. Turner wants a release for family reasons, so does Rogers, so did Puletua. Its not financial in any of these cases either: Turner has said he'll glady play for less, even refund the difference to the Titans and Rogers is taking a pay cut to play NRL.
I'm sympathetic to the Titans' - its a massive inconvenience to have your plans ruined by a player changing their mind.
But they need to admit that they contributed to at least some of this mess. They could have ensured this whole situation was avoided by simply getting him to sign, and then lodge, a contract.
The only reason Turner is where he is, is because he thought legitimately (read: legally) he was entitled to change his mind, and re-sign with the Storm in the absence of any formally written, signed and lodged paperwork.
And lastly - why should a player have to sight religious reasons, or family deaths (or attempts gone wrong) as the sole reasons for compasionate grounds. We don't know what Steve's reasons are, nor do we need to. If a player feels so strongly that he does not want to leave his home, whatever the reason - it should be listened to and considered like any case. It appears the NRL has, along with the Titans. Interestingly Gallop softened his stance noticeably after meeting Turner and his GF, but Searle did not.
It also seems like this is turning into a personal feud between Searle/Cartwright and Waldron rather than a player dispute. Their egos are getting in the way, and I suspect its got more to do with the new kids wanting to play with the big boys. I suspect whatever the outcome, the Titans need to make their mark on the field with their results, and not through press snippets where they take pot shots from the safety of their desks.