Geyer wants to be Turner mediator
By Karl deKroo
August 22, 2006
MELBOURNE stalwart Matt Geyer looms as a potential peacebroker in the battle over in-demand wing Steve Turner.
The wrangle between Storm and the new Gold Coast Titans franchise appears destined for the courts after the NRL last night ruled the 21 year old's agreement with the Titans was binding.
Turner was trumpeted by the Titans as a key recruit in June.
But Turner announced last week that he intended to stay with Storm on a new three-year deal, claiming he had not signed a contract with the Gold Coast.
NRL boss David Gallop last night ruled the Melbourne contract void.
"We have informed Melbourne we will not be registering the contract they have lodged for Steve Turner," Gallop said.
"It remains our view that an agreement was reached between the Titans and the player. This has been confirmed by the player's agent (David Riolo).
"The decision whether to register or not register a player contract is at our absolute discretion and there is no appeal mechanism. I trust the Storm will accept the decision."
That appears unlikely to happen, with Storm indicating legal action was now a definite possibility.
The only hope of a resolution appears to sit with Geyer, whose brother-in-law is Gold Coast coach John Cartwright.
"I obviously have some contacts up there," Geyer said yesterday.
"I haven't spoken to Carts about it, but I would be happy to.
"It is already a messy situation and I'd hate to see it get even uglier. Stevie is a great kid and the last thing he needs is to be stuck in a war between two clubs.
"I can understand the Gold Coast's position. They are trying to build a competitive team for next year. But hopefully they can understand the human side of it."
Gold Coast managing director Michael Searle claimed victory last night following the NRL's ruling.
He said the Titans would not back down.
"I cannot be any stronger than to say there is no way the Gold Coast Titans will relent," Searle said.
"If we did, it would set a dangerous precedent not only for us but for our whole game. I don't subscribe to the theory that a contract is only binding if the player wants it to be.
"It's a vindication for us that we have followed the right protocol and procedures and that we have a binding agreement with Steven.
"From our point of view, providing Steven accepts the referee's decision, we look forward to having him here in 2007."
Turner said he remained hopeful a resolution could be reached and admitted it would be an awkward situation if he was made to join the Gold Coast team.
"It'd be very hard to work with the players and the coaching staff after I've been through this and knowing that they knew I wanted to stay in Melbourne," Turner said.
Storm chief executive Brian Waldron said Storm would not rush its next step.
"We absolutely respect the NRL's right to take this position," Waldron said.
"We will now take the appropriate time to consider all issues related to this matter.
"Our position has not changed but we'll let the dust settle and address it again once our playing commitments are over for the year."