WESTS Tigers forward Liam Fulton has slammed a rumour he and teammate Benji Marshall have fallen out as "rubbish".
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The NRL rumour mill went into overdrive last Thursday with a suggestion Fulton's best mate Bryce Gibbs had knocked out Marshall at Tigers training.
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The rumour was of an extremely personal nature and suggested Gibbs was so furious he had confronted Marshall at the club's Concord headquarters.
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But Marshall appeared on The Footy Show on Thursday night and was his usual composed self.
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"I've had phone calls from the other side of the world asking me what's going on," Fulton said.
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"Benji and I are extremely close mates and when we first heard the rumours we just laughed about them.
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"But then when it took off like wildfire, it just got out of control. It's a pretty disgraceful rumour, especially when there's someone else involved. It's just complete rubbish, 100 per cent untrue."
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Fulton and Marshall will line up for today's clash against St George Illawarra at WIN Jubilee Stadium.
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It is the first time the clubs have met since the grand final qualifier in September, when the Dragons beat the Tigers 13-12.
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IT was the Monday morning meeting designed to heal a widening rift at the Wests Tigers, the club normally regarded as the nice guys of the NRL.
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A session to air all the bad blood about the possible departures of popular players Liam Fulton, Bryce Gibbs and Tim Moltzen - and then get on with business, starting with today's game against St George Illawarra at WIN Jubilee Stadium.
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Tension has been simmering for the past month and the majority of it revolves around Fulton, Gibbs and Moltzen being given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
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Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys confirmed the issue had become "a bit unsettling" and led to the club holding a "clear-the-air" meeting last Monday.
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Today, against the premiers, the Tigers will get an indication if it has worked.
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"The team had a meeting last Monday and the coaching staff were part of that for some of it and then the players just had a chat among themselves," Humphreys said.
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"It was something that was talked about, but it was one of half-a-dozen things discussed on how to clear the air, re-group and move forward.
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"The reality is the request [to negotiate] has come from the players. If the reality was us trying to force players out, then I could understand that creating some issues.
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"When you're not playing well, you look for excuses.
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"While it has been a little bit unsettling, it's a bit of a long bow to say it is a major rift or concern."
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By their own admission, the Tigers have been terrible over the past fortnight, meaning the issue of player unrest has continually been raised.
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Gibbs is signed until the end of 2014, Fulton is signed until the end of 2013 and Moltzen is contracted until the end of next year, which added to the uncertainty.
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Moltzen is also extremely tight with star five-eighth Benji Marshall, with the pair sharing an apartment.
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When The Sunday Telegraph contacted Tigers coach Tim Sheens, the four-time premiership-winner said the three players were comfortable with the situation.
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"Who stays and who goes will be decided over the next month," Sheens said.
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"I've spoken to all the boys individually and there's no issues at all.
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"The issue seems to be with other people, rather than the players concerned in our club.
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"No one is being cut from the club."
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The Sunday Telegraph understands the Tigers are under increasing salary cap pressure after being fined $187,500 for breaching the $4.6 million limit last season.
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Add to this the anticipated arrival of the Melbourne Storm's Kiwi Test forward Adam Blair for next season, plus the retention of Chris Lawrence, Blake Ayshford, Andrew Fifita and Aaron Woods, and it becomes clear why the Tigers are in a financial squeeze.
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On Blair, Humphreys said: "There's been that talk, but it's certainly not a done deal.
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"I think Adam will end up in a Sydney club but there's two or three who've pursued him. At this point no agreement has been finalised."
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The Sharks have expressed interest in Fulton and Gibbs but they want the Tigers to pay part of their contracts if they head to the Shire.The Tigers obviously don't want to do that.
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Moltzen has been discussed at the Rabbitohs and Sharks but remains in limbo and is believed to be on around $300,000 for next season.
>
The departure of fullback Wade McKinnon to Hull FC next year will ease some pressure.
>
The NRL rumour mill went into overdrive last Thursday with a suggestion Fulton's best mate Bryce Gibbs had knocked out Marshall at Tigers training.
>
The rumour was of an extremely personal nature and suggested Gibbs was so furious he had confronted Marshall at the club's Concord headquarters.
>
But Marshall appeared on The Footy Show on Thursday night and was his usual composed self.
>
"I've had phone calls from the other side of the world asking me what's going on," Fulton said.
>
"Benji and I are extremely close mates and when we first heard the rumours we just laughed about them.
>
"But then when it took off like wildfire, it just got out of control. It's a pretty disgraceful rumour, especially when there's someone else involved. It's just complete rubbish, 100 per cent untrue."
>
Fulton and Marshall will line up for today's clash against St George Illawarra at WIN Jubilee Stadium.
>
It is the first time the clubs have met since the grand final qualifier in September, when the Dragons beat the Tigers 13-12.
\
IT was the Monday morning meeting designed to heal a widening rift at the Wests Tigers, the club normally regarded as the nice guys of the NRL.
>
A session to air all the bad blood about the possible departures of popular players Liam Fulton, Bryce Gibbs and Tim Moltzen - and then get on with business, starting with today's game against St George Illawarra at WIN Jubilee Stadium.
>
Tension has been simmering for the past month and the majority of it revolves around Fulton, Gibbs and Moltzen being given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
>
Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys confirmed the issue had become "a bit unsettling" and led to the club holding a "clear-the-air" meeting last Monday.
>
Today, against the premiers, the Tigers will get an indication if it has worked.
>
"The team had a meeting last Monday and the coaching staff were part of that for some of it and then the players just had a chat among themselves," Humphreys said.
>
"It was something that was talked about, but it was one of half-a-dozen things discussed on how to clear the air, re-group and move forward.
>
"The reality is the request [to negotiate] has come from the players. If the reality was us trying to force players out, then I could understand that creating some issues.
>
"When you're not playing well, you look for excuses.
>
"While it has been a little bit unsettling, it's a bit of a long bow to say it is a major rift or concern."
>
By their own admission, the Tigers have been terrible over the past fortnight, meaning the issue of player unrest has continually been raised.
>
Gibbs is signed until the end of 2014, Fulton is signed until the end of 2013 and Moltzen is contracted until the end of next year, which added to the uncertainty.
>
Moltzen is also extremely tight with star five-eighth Benji Marshall, with the pair sharing an apartment.
>
When The Sunday Telegraph contacted Tigers coach Tim Sheens, the four-time premiership-winner said the three players were comfortable with the situation.
>
"Who stays and who goes will be decided over the next month," Sheens said.
>
"I've spoken to all the boys individually and there's no issues at all.
>
"The issue seems to be with other people, rather than the players concerned in our club.
>
"No one is being cut from the club."
>
The Sunday Telegraph understands the Tigers are under increasing salary cap pressure after being fined $187,500 for breaching the $4.6 million limit last season.
\
\
\
Add to this the anticipated arrival of the Melbourne Storm's Kiwi Test forward Adam Blair for next season, plus the retention of Chris Lawrence, Blake Ayshford, Andrew Fifita and Aaron Woods, and it becomes clear why the Tigers are in a financial squeeze.
>
On Blair, Humphreys said: "There's been that talk, but it's certainly not a done deal.
>
"I think Adam will end up in a Sydney club but there's two or three who've pursued him. At this point no agreement has been finalised."
>
The Sharks have expressed interest in Fulton and Gibbs but they want the Tigers to pay part of their contracts if they head to the Shire.The Tigers obviously don't want to do that.
>
Moltzen has been discussed at the Rabbitohs and Sharks but remains in limbo and is believed to be on around $300,000 for next season.
>
The departure of fullback Wade McKinnon to Hull FC next year will ease some pressure.
