Blake Austin removed from Wests Tigers photo, raising doubts about his future
Date
October 12, 2014
Jon Tuxworth
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times
New Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor says that overhauling his football department is his immediate priority and he is yet to meet with Canberra Raiders target Blake Austin to discuss his future at the club.
The tug-of-war for Austin's services between the two clubs took a new twist when the utility was seemingly removed from a team photo promoting the Tigers' 2015 membership campaign.
Austin features in the original image taken by Getty Images before the round 19 clash with Canterbury this year, but is absent in the reproduced picture on the front of the Tigers' membership brochure released this week.
The Tigers utility sought a release from the final year of his contract to join the Raiders on a multiyear deal from next year when sacked coach Mick Potter was in charge.
Asked for comment on Sunday, Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said via text: "I'm not making any comment regarding a membership brochure. It was designed three weeks ago. If you have any questions regarding players, JT [Taylor] is your man."
The apparent decision to remove Austin from the photo, before Taylor was officially announced as coach a fortnight ago, at least raises more doubt about his future at the club.
Reports on Sunday said Taylor has already begun a cleanout by sacking club legends Steve Roach, Paul Sironen and John Skandalis from the Tigers coaching staff.
Canberra is keen to bolster its halves ranks and have offered the 23-year-old an attractive deal to try to establish himself as an NRL five-eighth.
Taylor said he is yet to meet with Austin, one of the Tigers best this year in a disappointing season despite being on a second-tier contract.
"I haven't even though about that, to be honest," Taylor said on Sunday.
"Things are happening really fast, but I'm working hard on getting my staff organised, and that's my priority at the moment.
"I haven't even though about that sort of thing."
Austin has filled a utility role with the Tigers, but is keen to establish himself as an NRL half.
He starred in 19 games this year, but is resigned to playing back-up to prodigious Tigers youngsters Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks in the playmaking positions.
Canberra would be keen to have the issue resolved before the first grade squad begins pre-season training on October 29.
Raiders skipper and five-eighth Terry Campese was dropped to NSW Cup for the final few games of the year, while halfback Sam Williams will return to the club on a two-year deal.
Young halfback Mitch Cornish started the final two games against the Tigers and Parramatta, which Canberra both won, after he was eased into first grade off the bench.
Canberra has been linked to out-of-favour Brisbane fullback Josh Hoffman, who was told by the Broncos earlier this month he was free to negotiate with other clubs.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart returned from a holiday in Hawaii over the weekend, and it is believed the club was waiting for his return before discussing whether to pursue Hoffman.
