Knights meet Sheens
By Barry Toohey
February 14, 2006
PREMIERSHIP-winning coach Tim Sheens' long-term future at Wests Tigers is under a cloud after he held secret negotiations with Newcastle Knights officials in Sydney late yesterday.
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Sheens comes off contract with Wests Tigers at the end of this season, but it had generally been accepted he would extend his coaching career beyond 2006 after taking his young side to premiership glory last year.
Sheens was reluctant last night to disclose anything about his negotiations with Newcastle.
"It's not for me to comment on - I'd rather not," he said. "Whatever (Newcastle) want to say is up to them, but it is not really my place to be talking about it."
Newcastle officials were due to meet last night to discuss the coaching issue but a planned board meeting was put on hold.
Wests Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce was not aware of the Knights' meeting with Sheens.
"No, I didn't know that, but Tim has spoken to me previously about the approach from Newcastle," Noyce said.
"I'm not surprised there is interest there and I'd view it as a compliment to Tim, but I certainly believe there is still unfinished business here at the Tigers."
Meanwhile, Canberra coach Matthew Elliott was encouraged by the club to test his value on the open market but will re-sign within a week, Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins insisted last night.
Elliott has also been linked to the Newcastle job.
"He has indicated to me he is definitely a one-club man. We expect to re-sign him," Hawkins said.
The Daily Telegraph