bit more supposed detail
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/cutters-reply-to-tigers-a-blunt-no/2505921.aspx
Cutters’ reply to Tigers a blunt no
SAM HALL
30 Mar, 2012 04:00 AM
Illawarra Cutters firebrand Ray Cashmere hasn’t given up hope of an NRL berth this season despite being denied a release to join the Wests Tigers to relive his first-grade dream.
Cashmere (pictured) was approached by the injury-stricken Tigers this week, with the club desperate for his services against Canberra on Monday night.
It is understood the 32-year-old prop had been assured a full-time spot in Wests Tigers’ top squad until season’s end.
But his bid to return to the club he made three appearances for in 2005 fell short when the Cutters, the feeder side to St George Illawarra, opted not to release him from his contract.
Cashmere returned to training with the Cutters last night, with the goal of working towards a first-grade berth.
‘‘The Cutters have taken care of me and I’ve enjoyed my time there but obviously first grade is where any rugby league player would like to be,’’ Cashmere told the Mercury.
Cutters chairman Sean O’Connor denied the decision was intended as a payback gesture for the Tigers refusing to release Tim Moltzen to the Dragons last year.
‘‘We made some phone calls and declined that request because as captain, he’s a very important part of the team and our success,’’ O’Connor said.
‘‘Everyone seems to be drawing a line straight to Tim Moltzen, but that’s not the issue.
‘‘Ray, together with his manager, requested a release from us during the week but he is now happy to stay with us.
‘‘Ray is still in the Dragons’ plans for later this year and he decided that he would be happy to stay once he heard that he is in Steve Price’s plans.’’
Tigers CEO Stephen Humphries did not return the Mercury’s calls yesterday and his Dragons counterpart, Peter Doust, referred the matter back to Illawarra Cutters officials.
‘‘It’s a Cutters decision at the end of the day, but one of the incentives for him to stay was to know that he is in the Dragons’ plans, but without any promises,’’ O’Connor said.
Cashmere, who had 58 NRL appearances for the Tigers and the Cowboys, is training three days a week with the Cutters while working full-time at NRE’s Wongawilli Colliery.
Dragons second-rower Ben Creagh said he would become a useful asset to the top side when State of Origin selections and inevitable injuries made forward spaces available.
‘‘Pricey [coach Steve Price] has always said that guys that are in form and playing well for the Illawarra side will always get an opportunity to play in the first-grade side,’’ he said. ‘‘He seems like a nice guy and a good footy player so I’m sure he’s in the mix.’’
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/cutters-reply-to-tigers-a-blunt-no/2505921.aspx
Cutters’ reply to Tigers a blunt no
SAM HALL
30 Mar, 2012 04:00 AM
Illawarra Cutters firebrand Ray Cashmere hasn’t given up hope of an NRL berth this season despite being denied a release to join the Wests Tigers to relive his first-grade dream.
Cashmere (pictured) was approached by the injury-stricken Tigers this week, with the club desperate for his services against Canberra on Monday night.
It is understood the 32-year-old prop had been assured a full-time spot in Wests Tigers’ top squad until season’s end.
But his bid to return to the club he made three appearances for in 2005 fell short when the Cutters, the feeder side to St George Illawarra, opted not to release him from his contract.
Cashmere returned to training with the Cutters last night, with the goal of working towards a first-grade berth.
‘‘The Cutters have taken care of me and I’ve enjoyed my time there but obviously first grade is where any rugby league player would like to be,’’ Cashmere told the Mercury.
Cutters chairman Sean O’Connor denied the decision was intended as a payback gesture for the Tigers refusing to release Tim Moltzen to the Dragons last year.
‘‘We made some phone calls and declined that request because as captain, he’s a very important part of the team and our success,’’ O’Connor said.
‘‘Everyone seems to be drawing a line straight to Tim Moltzen, but that’s not the issue.
‘‘Ray, together with his manager, requested a release from us during the week but he is now happy to stay with us.
‘‘Ray is still in the Dragons’ plans for later this year and he decided that he would be happy to stay once he heard that he is in Steve Price’s plans.’’
Tigers CEO Stephen Humphries did not return the Mercury’s calls yesterday and his Dragons counterpart, Peter Doust, referred the matter back to Illawarra Cutters officials.
‘‘It’s a Cutters decision at the end of the day, but one of the incentives for him to stay was to know that he is in the Dragons’ plans, but without any promises,’’ O’Connor said.
Cashmere, who had 58 NRL appearances for the Tigers and the Cowboys, is training three days a week with the Cutters while working full-time at NRE’s Wongawilli Colliery.
Dragons second-rower Ben Creagh said he would become a useful asset to the top side when State of Origin selections and inevitable injuries made forward spaces available.
‘‘Pricey [coach Steve Price] has always said that guys that are in form and playing well for the Illawarra side will always get an opportunity to play in the first-grade side,’’ he said. ‘‘He seems like a nice guy and a good footy player so I’m sure he’s in the mix.’’
