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Storm rookies in tug-of-war
2006 Kevin Proctor and Smith Samau are the two boom rookies who have been inadvertently thrust into the bitter tug-of-war for Melbourne winger Steve Turner.
The Storm sensations have been identified by Gold Coast as adequate replacements as part of a compensation package to enable Turner to remain in Melbourne.
But Storm chief executive Brian Waldron has slammed the player-swap proposal, despite Titans counterpart Michael Searle claiming Waldron initially raised the idea.
Tired of being painted as the villain in the Turner fiasco, Searle says he will release the disgruntled winger as soon as Proctor, 17, and Samau, 20, are delivered to the Titans.
The duo is highly rated by the Storm, with Samau having made his NRL debut last season and back-row sensation Proctor on tour with the Australian Schoolboys.
"The ball is firmly in Storm's court," Searle said. "They can have Steve Turner at training on Monday morning if they agree to this player swap.
"Initially it was a point he raised at a lunch meeting we had a while back. When it was clear Steve wanted to stay in Melbourne, we put forward names of the players we were comfortable with as a form of compensation.
"Our offer is on the table, a very fair offer, and it's up to them to come up with a solution.
"Steve Turner's fate is now in Melbourne's hands. If they want him, they can agree to this deal and release the two kids."
But Waldron had a stern message for Searle as relations between the two clubs hit rock bottom.
"We have never agreed to any player swap and we will not agree to it," Searle said.
"There will be no compensation because we have nothing to compensate Gold Coast for. We've told our players we will not raise the issue (of a player swap).
"Steve Turner has offered some compensation, which is understandable given Steve's role in this process. But we have no need to compensate the Titans and we won't be."
Significantly, Proctor and Samau, who are both contracted until the end of 2008, have privately declared they would be happy to join the Titans.
A product of Palm Beach Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Proctor joined the Storm after the Titans were initially refused admission by the NRL in 2004.
Samau, a talented fullback or wing from Brisbane, re-signed with Melbourne Storm this year on the understanding that Turner would be joining the Gold Coast next season.
Storm recruitment chief Peter O'Sullivan, who spotted Proctor playing rugby union on the Gold Coast, insists the 100kg forward is going nowhere.
"I've put four years into this kid," O'Sullivan said. "It would be over my dead body that he goes to the Gold Coast.
"I chased him and I won't let him go. He's a champion of the future. He'll be playing first grade for Melbourne."
Source: FoxSports