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Tigers say starting spot, not salary cap, behind Brown move to Dogs Brad Walter, Michael Carayannis
March 6, 2012
WESTS Tigers officials insist the decision to release utility back Mitch Brown to the Bulldogs was unrelated to a meeting they had last Friday with NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.
Less than 24 hours after losing rookie fullback James Tedesco for the season with a knee injury, the Tigers announced that Brown - a potential candidate for the No.1 jersey - had been released to Canterbury.
The move follows a meeting between Tigers officials and Schubert last Friday, sparking rumours the club had salary cap issues after last week agreeing to release star England forward Gareth Ellis to return home at the end of the season.
However, Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphries said the decision to release Brown had more to do with the 24-year-old's desire to cement a starting berth after being overlooked for Sunday's opening match against Cronulla.
''Mitch approached us last week,'' Humphries said. ''He was a bit disappointed he didn't get a starting spot, he thinks he should have and there is an opportunity to do that at Canterbury so that is what has happened. There is nothing sinister in it. I think most clubs speak with Shuey quite regularly.''
Brown's agent Gavin Orr said his client turned down a three-year offer to join Canberra last year after Tigers coach Tim Sheens indicated he would get first crack at the fullback role. Orr said Brown's preference was to play right centre and there was an opportunity at the Bulldogs with the loss of Jamal Idris to Gold Coast.
Brown's arrival at Canterbury comes as some of Canterbury's biggest names have their playing futures in doubt, with new coach Des Hasler adopting a wait-and-see approach before re-signing anyone.
State of Origin players David Stagg and Steve Turner and Kiwi internationals Dene Halatau and Bryson Goodwin headline a list of a dozen players off-contract at season's end.
Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran tops Hasler's wish list with the Kiwi international expected to command about $400,000 on the open market.
The Bulldogs have also been linked to rookie Sea Eagles prop Darcy Lussick.
''It's not just me, there are about a dozen of us and with Des coming over he wants to see what we are like and if we adapt to his structure,'' Turner said. ''I dare say it'll be some time mid-season before I speak contract or Des speaks contract. It's certainly something out of my control. I'd love to stay at the club.''
Meanwhile, Turner has compared Hasler to former Melbourne Storm mentor Craig Bellamy.
''Craig and Des are very passionate about training and showing how hard you work in the pre-season will determine how you play during the season,'' Turner said.
''The intensity Des brings to the club whether it's doing video work or training - it's just the little things. The intensity at training has gone up and so to the accountability of the players.''
March 6, 2012
WESTS Tigers officials insist the decision to release utility back Mitch Brown to the Bulldogs was unrelated to a meeting they had last Friday with NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.
Less than 24 hours after losing rookie fullback James Tedesco for the season with a knee injury, the Tigers announced that Brown - a potential candidate for the No.1 jersey - had been released to Canterbury.
The move follows a meeting between Tigers officials and Schubert last Friday, sparking rumours the club had salary cap issues after last week agreeing to release star England forward Gareth Ellis to return home at the end of the season.
However, Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphries said the decision to release Brown had more to do with the 24-year-old's desire to cement a starting berth after being overlooked for Sunday's opening match against Cronulla.
''Mitch approached us last week,'' Humphries said. ''He was a bit disappointed he didn't get a starting spot, he thinks he should have and there is an opportunity to do that at Canterbury so that is what has happened. There is nothing sinister in it. I think most clubs speak with Shuey quite regularly.''
Brown's agent Gavin Orr said his client turned down a three-year offer to join Canberra last year after Tigers coach Tim Sheens indicated he would get first crack at the fullback role. Orr said Brown's preference was to play right centre and there was an opportunity at the Bulldogs with the loss of Jamal Idris to Gold Coast.
Brown's arrival at Canterbury comes as some of Canterbury's biggest names have their playing futures in doubt, with new coach Des Hasler adopting a wait-and-see approach before re-signing anyone.
State of Origin players David Stagg and Steve Turner and Kiwi internationals Dene Halatau and Bryson Goodwin headline a list of a dozen players off-contract at season's end.
Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran tops Hasler's wish list with the Kiwi international expected to command about $400,000 on the open market.
The Bulldogs have also been linked to rookie Sea Eagles prop Darcy Lussick.
''It's not just me, there are about a dozen of us and with Des coming over he wants to see what we are like and if we adapt to his structure,'' Turner said. ''I dare say it'll be some time mid-season before I speak contract or Des speaks contract. It's certainly something out of my control. I'd love to stay at the club.''
Meanwhile, Turner has compared Hasler to former Melbourne Storm mentor Craig Bellamy.
''Craig and Des are very passionate about training and showing how hard you work in the pre-season will determine how you play during the season,'' Turner said.
''The intensity Des brings to the club whether it's doing video work or training - it's just the little things. The intensity at training has gone up and so to the accountability of the players.''
