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‘I never received an offer’: Rising Tigers back-rower Sam McIntyre reveals reason for Titans switch
From Fox Sports
GEORGE CLARKE NOVEMBER 18, 2020
Gold Coast-bound back-rower Sam McIntyre has revealed that the Wests Tigers failed to table him an official offer to keep him at the club for 2021.
The 22-year-old made his debut under Michael Maguire this year, scoring two tries across 12 games.
In his dozen games he showed he was exactly what the Tigers need more of with a committed and workmanlike approach.
After his last pay cheque from the Tigers, McIntyre was no clearer on his future and jumped at the chance to take part in Justin Holbrook’s rebuild at the Titans.
Tigers fans were seething on social media. That has only intensified in recent days with news that Josh Addo-Carr snubbed their offer to stay at the Storm and Josh Aloiai’s request for a release.
Many supporters were angered that McIntyre had knocked back the Tigers’ offer to take up what they perceived to be a more lucrative deal with the Titans. But as he explained, the Concord club failed to come to the table.
“Throughout the year and the off-season I thought I was going to stay, that was my original plan,” McIntyre told foxsports.com.au.
“Then as the off-season started going, I knew they were chasing some guys like The Foxx, which I totally understand that he’s a priority because he’s a NSW and Australia player.
“I didn’t receive an official offer, though.
“There’d been a few chats about it, and I was pretty sure Madge wanted me to stay but I don’t think he has much to do with it (recruitment decisions).
“So then I called him once I’d agreed to go to the Titans and told him I was grateful for what I’d done. He was sweet with me, he was happy to have seen me grow under him and he gave me his best wishes.
“I guess with the fans that are maybe a bit upset about me going, I appreciate what a lot of them have said. I’ve got some really kind and positive messages sent to me.”
Maguire is seen by many as a reason for the growing discontent at Concord, his tough methods and no-nonsense approach seemingly rubbing some up the wrong way.
But McIntyre says that while he is a tough taskmaster, he loved working with Maguire and said the ex-Souths and Wigan coach was just what they needed.
“I think he cops a bit of flack for no reason. It’s not fair, we train hard because we want good results. Every club has to train hard, he just wants the Tigers to succeed. I think if we had been in the finals and everything was going great, then nobody would be saying anything but I’ve only got positive things to say about Madge.”
With no offer from the Tigers, McIntyre decided to head to the Gold Coast, explaining: “I like what they’re building there, the young guys like Tino, Dave and Mo Fotuaika.
“There’s also Corey Thompson. I’m really excited to go there and hopefully shake the club up and play some finals footy.
“It’d be nice to see Harry (Grant), I’m good mates with him. I guess we’ll wait and see what Cameron (Smith) does.”
From Fox Sports
GEORGE CLARKE NOVEMBER 18, 2020
Gold Coast-bound back-rower Sam McIntyre has revealed that the Wests Tigers failed to table him an official offer to keep him at the club for 2021.
The 22-year-old made his debut under Michael Maguire this year, scoring two tries across 12 games.
In his dozen games he showed he was exactly what the Tigers need more of with a committed and workmanlike approach.
After his last pay cheque from the Tigers, McIntyre was no clearer on his future and jumped at the chance to take part in Justin Holbrook’s rebuild at the Titans.
Tigers fans were seething on social media. That has only intensified in recent days with news that Josh Addo-Carr snubbed their offer to stay at the Storm and Josh Aloiai’s request for a release.
Many supporters were angered that McIntyre had knocked back the Tigers’ offer to take up what they perceived to be a more lucrative deal with the Titans. But as he explained, the Concord club failed to come to the table.
“Throughout the year and the off-season I thought I was going to stay, that was my original plan,” McIntyre told foxsports.com.au.
“Then as the off-season started going, I knew they were chasing some guys like The Foxx, which I totally understand that he’s a priority because he’s a NSW and Australia player.
“I didn’t receive an official offer, though.
“There’d been a few chats about it, and I was pretty sure Madge wanted me to stay but I don’t think he has much to do with it (recruitment decisions).
“So then I called him once I’d agreed to go to the Titans and told him I was grateful for what I’d done. He was sweet with me, he was happy to have seen me grow under him and he gave me his best wishes.
“I guess with the fans that are maybe a bit upset about me going, I appreciate what a lot of them have said. I’ve got some really kind and positive messages sent to me.”
Maguire is seen by many as a reason for the growing discontent at Concord, his tough methods and no-nonsense approach seemingly rubbing some up the wrong way.
But McIntyre says that while he is a tough taskmaster, he loved working with Maguire and said the ex-Souths and Wigan coach was just what they needed.
“I think he cops a bit of flack for no reason. It’s not fair, we train hard because we want good results. Every club has to train hard, he just wants the Tigers to succeed. I think if we had been in the finals and everything was going great, then nobody would be saying anything but I’ve only got positive things to say about Madge.”
With no offer from the Tigers, McIntyre decided to head to the Gold Coast, explaining: “I like what they’re building there, the young guys like Tino, Dave and Mo Fotuaika.
“There’s also Corey Thompson. I’m really excited to go there and hopefully shake the club up and play some finals footy.
“It’d be nice to see Harry (Grant), I’m good mates with him. I guess we’ll wait and see what Cameron (Smith) does.”
