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January 25, 2021 9:53am
George Clarke
FOX SPORTS
Wests Tigers turn down release request from centre Paul Momirovski
Paul Momirovski has asked to leave the Tigers to find regular playing time
EXCLUSIVE – The Wests Tigers and Paul Momirovski are locked in a dispute that threatens to escalate after the centre had two official release requests turned down by the club.Foxsports.com.au can reveal that the Tigers are refusing to let Momirovski leave despite informing him he would not be a first-choice centre at Concord.
The 24-year-old, who has 14 tries in 19 NRL games, has been training at five-eighth during the pre-season and has held three conversations with head coach Michael Maguire about being granted permission to leave.
Rival clubs are monitoring the situation closely, with Canterbury and Penrith keen on his services.
The Tigers, however, are digging their heels in, arguing that a roster with strong depth across the backline can only be beneficial for the club.
Momirovski did not play for the Tigers in 2020 as he headed to Melbourne as part of a loan deal involving Harry Grant.
He was encouraged to make the move to the Storm as his temporary departure would allow the Tigers to secure an NRL-standard hooker.
A hand injury curtailed his run in the Storm’s right centre spot but despite mutual interest in extending his stay at Melbourne, he went back to Concord to honour the last year of his contract.
Upon his return, the Tigers had signed James Roberts to partner Joey Leilua in the centres.
The Tigers also made a serious play for Josh Mansour before he signed for Souths a fortnight ago.
Momirovski’s release request is the third such demand from a different Tigers players in the last 18 months after Ryan Matterson and Josh Aloiai both asked to leave.
The difference for both those players is that they were walk-up starters for the Tigers being lured away by bigger deals.
Momirovski, meanwhile, is not guaranteed regular football in 2021 and wants to play every week in his preferred position.
Matterson joined Parramatta after skipping training and being put on a period of leave while Aloiai moved to Manly after frustrations in negotiations with the Tigers.
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So we release the good players without a fight , but fight to hang on to the hackers …
It’s the players that West’s Tigers release that make West’s Tigers the best ! -
I’m well & truly over players wanting out when things don’t go their way… Maybe they should talk to members who fork out thousands year in year out and get some perspective
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I knew once he came back from the Storm he’d want out
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If he can’t get regular playing time at the Tigers, where exactly does he think he can?
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@weststigerman said in Momorovski wants out:
If he can’t get regular playing time at the Tigers, where exactly does he think he can?
I think we have a few that we should let go.They were pre Hartigan,and i doubt he would have bought them.
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How much coin’s he on… anyone know?
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Trade him in for a block of cheese
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Well going from the Melbourne system to the way the tigers operate would make you pretty miserable I suppose
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The problem with him is, he’s too slow to be a weapon outside back, or back 3
He’s not skillful enough or just doesn’t have the game to be a half, he’s not big enough or have the motor or body shape to be a backrower.He’s another Mbye, doesn’t really have a suitable position in the modern game.
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@weststigerman said in Momorovski wants out:
If he can’t get regular playing time at the Tigers, where exactly does he think he can?
Penriff are thinking of using him as back up to their injury prone fullback Edwards … if they move Crichton to fullback if Edwards gets injured they will need a ready to fit in centre and this is where Momo’s comes in … but realistically, he’ll still be warming the benches at Penriff … !!
Now that we have jacked up the price for Crichton, Penriff’s piggy bank will be a lot less (hahaha … well played Tigers) they might have to release Laurie earlier then they expected … so a swap with Momo’s and Laurie might be their only escape … !! We need to use this release wisely and get what WE want … !!
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A trade to Penrith for Laurie would be a good outcome
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@hangonaminute said in Momorovski wants out:
Trade him in for a block of cheese
Coon or Cheers cheese?
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Disappointed to hear this on many fronts
Firstly,he sacrificied his NRL slot with us at our benefit to join Storm…he did US a favor.
Secondly ,he did better than ok…Bellamy said he wld have been in the run on side for the finals if he hadnt been injured,so hes obviously got some talent.I can think of any other WT player who wld make Storm run on side btw
Lastly,given the above,I cant see why he wldnt be one of the first centres picked…no-one has any idea whether JTJ is gonna make it(including himself),and Joey L may or may not turn up just like his entire career
U wonder why players arent loyal to WTs…we show no loyalty or comittment to them -
@bathursttiger1 said in Momorovski wants out:
@hangonaminute said in Momorovski wants out:
Trade him in for a block of cheese
Coon or Cheers cheese?
Don’t get me started
