Storm cough up for Turner

[Grimmace]

Storm cough up for Turner

MELBOURNE are set to offer financial compensation to the Gold Coast in a bid to end the stand-off over Storm star Steve Turner.

With Turner's stunning 2006 season coming to an end in yesterday's grand final at Telstra Stadium, the focus switches to the 21-year-old winger's future after he agreed to terms with the Titans for next year, only to later change his mind.

Turner has since signed a three-year contract extension with the Storm and Melbourne officials believe they would have the upper hand if the matter proceeded to court, as no deal between the former Penrith junior and Gold Coast was ever formalised in writing.

The NRL, however, is siding with the premiership newcomers and has refused to register Turner's renewed contract with the Storm, leaving him in limbo for next season.

All behind-the-scenes attempts to reach a resolution have so far failed, including a recent proposal for St George Illawarra fullback Clint Greenshields to abandon his move to Super League and replace Turner at the Titans.

Greenshields, who is from the northern NSW town of Sawtell, had expressed a desire to join the Gold Coast but signed with French club Catalans after the new franchise preferred Turner.

Turner told the Herald he was anticipating a solution to the dispute being found after the grand final and indicated he would not be sitting out the 2007 season after being restricted to just seven NRL appearances in the previous three years due to injuries.

Initially signed by the Storm as a fullback, Turner successfully adjusted to the left wing this season and had scored 17 tries in 26 games before last night's grand final.

Believing they could persuade Turner to honour his deal with them, Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle and coach John Cartwright last month flew to Melbourne for a face-to-face meeting - only to be told Turner desperately wanted to stay at the Storm.

The Herald understands Melbourne officials are preparing to put a financial deal to the Titans to release Turner. The Gold Coast have also been linked with Dragons international Shaun Timmins, who is considering retirement after his planned move to the Super League fell through when Castleford were relegated.

The Titans have signed Leeds fullback Richie Mathers, who has represented England and may be in the Great Britain Tri-Nations squad due to arrive in Australia in just over two weeks.

Meanwhile, St George Illawarra hooker Aaron Gorrell has been linked to Cronulla following the appointment of Ricky Stuart as coach. It is understood Gorrell, who still does not have a contract for next season, was close to joining Sydney Roosters before Stuart's sacking last month.

Cronulla's star halfback Brett Kimmorley said he was staying at the Sharks next season, despite the appointment of Stuart. Kimmorley and Stuart met on Friday at Cronulla and nutted out some of their differences - the key issue being Stuart's concern that Kimmorley didn't listen to his instructions when he was State of Origin coach.

Kimmorley said afterwards at the Cronulla grand final lunch, honouring the 1967 team and attended by around 700, that he was excited about Stuart's tenure as coach and was looking forward to next season. With five-eighth partner Adam Dykes on stage alongside him, Kimmorley also rejected claims the two halves didn't have a workable combination.

The Sharks seemed to be on fire when either Dykes or Kimmorley was sidelined this season, allowing just the one to call the shots. But Kimmorley said the focus on himself and Dykes was just a cyclical trend and that commentators would transfer their attention to a different halves pair next season.

Stuart has told friends he was happy for Kimmorley to stay with the club and has dismissed suggestions that there may be a player swap with the Roosters.

The new coach spoke to players for around 20 minutes on Friday and has organised to meet staff tomorrow. He has moved forward the return to training, with the club regrouping on October 23, a week earlier than scheduled. But Stuart has scheduled more periods of rest during the off-season as a sweetener.
Source:smh

[Pale Ale Panther]

i know its a bit Rough, but after all this do you really want him turning up if he dosen't want to be there ? i know he made the decision to come, but a financial deal might be good for the GCT ?

[Titanium_BD1103]

Not worth it....

GC have to stand by the principle of not being a place where players can sign on and just leave if they like elsewhere better. It's no longer about the money, sure the money would be good, but TBH after seeing the side standing there proudly last night, the club has a duty to its fans and sponsors to uphold this proud start and backing away and letting a club have a player would not be doing this.

The Titans need to stand up for what is right and if the Storm want to take this to court, so be it, we all know who is going to win in the end... GO THE GOLD COAST TITANS...

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

Turners decision has forced a really good upcoming nrl player to go to the Super League to find a club, not happy turner. :fence:

[jake86]

Turners decision has forced a really good upcoming nrl player to go to the Super League to find a club, not happy turner. :fence:

So you think the titans would have signed greenshields if they couldnt get turner? Argh this makes me even more annoyed

Is joel reddy off contract? maybe they should chase him

[Steve Dangerous]

I'll be interested to see what they offer.. problem is there isn't too many people still around to use the money on.

[philstorm]

I'll be interested to see what they offer.. problem is there isn't too many people still around to use the money on.

That's what i'm worried about. Do you think if we pay out, that money will go towards our salary cap? Hope not, it's not worth it.

[Queenslander]

That's what i'm worried about. Do you think if we pay out, that money will go towards our salary cap? Hope not, it's not worth it.

Even though the money isnt directly going to a player; the payment IMO should be deducted from the salary cap as it is an extra cost in getting a player.

[TITAN PETE]

Is joel reddy off contract? maybe they should chase him[/QUOTE]

I don't think Reddy is of a 1st grade standard.

[DeeGan]

The problem with the "offer" is that is hard to pick up players at this time of the season and we for mine should not back down from our stance for financial gain or "compensation".

We will hear more over the next week.

[Titan_Matchu]

I have to agree with Deegan we have to estaiblish the best team possible for 2007 and not think about money

[lonegull]

[QUOTE=DeeGan]The problem with the "offer" is that is hard to pick up players at this time of the season and we for mine should not back down from our stance for financial gain or "compensation".

got to agree micheal searle has said all along we are not going to be pushed around like old times we are here to make a stance so titans dig your feet in

[Capital_Shark]

And the saga continues...

Look money is no good to the Titans, you can't put a bag of cash in a jersey and send out on the field to perform, a fullback/winger is whats needed here. I agree with the Titans not backing down, but I also tend to think even if they win, will they really win? Or will they just gain a player with no passion for the jersey who ends up becoming the highest paid QLD Cup player?

[.Stormer.]

Stevie Turner FTW!!! Please Stay we'll give GCT Matt Geyer.

[Grimmace]

Perhaps we could but the $425,000 Fyllback Brett Kimmorley :naughty: I heard he is looking for a new home and perhpas the amount of money the storm give us can entice him here.

Money aint a great option at the moment as who could we sign there is hardly any one around atm so we should just fight for Turner.