Smith to meet with wantaway Roosters pair

Sydney Roosters coach Brian Smith will hold talks with Sam Perrett and Anthony Mitchell on Monday to discuss their future with the NRL club.

Perrett had looked set to join Canterbury last week only for the Roosters to pull the plug on the deal at the last minute.

Mitchell is wanted by North Queensland ahead of the June 30 deadline after a season-ending injury to hooker James Segayaro and it’s believed the Townsville junior is keen to join his hometown club.

Both played in the Roosters’ 52-14 loss to Manly on Sunday and Smith said he had no hesitation in selecting them, despite their desire to leave.

“Anthony Mitchell hasn’t asked for a release, he’s got an offer from the Cowboys for next year and they want him to go,” Smith said.

“It’s about whether we want to offer him a contract for next year.

“But at the moment he’s under contract to us, as is Sam.

“I will speak to both players tomorrow (Monday) and the club will deal with that eventually, but my own attitude to that is that we will continue to work it out.”

Perrett, who scored against Manly, told his teammates this week he was leaving to join the Bulldogs and there’s been reports the former Kiwi Test star was fuming at being denied the chance to join Des Hasler’s in-form side.

Both Perrett and Mitchell refused to talk to the media after the game, but Smith said the situation was part of professional sport.

“Players and coaches and people in business know, this sort of stuff goes on and you have to deal with this professionally and emotionally in some cases,” Smith said.

“It’s par for the course for professional footy players.”