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Wests Tigers have sensationally revealed they never released Tim Moltzen from his NRL contract to join St George Illawarra in 2012.
The Tigers have set the scene for a fiery battle for the talented utility’s services next season, essentially declaring Moltzen’s deal with the Dragons invalid as he remains under contract with the Tigers.
It was revealed earlier on Wednesday that the Tigers utility could remain at the club next season after seeking a release from his deal to join St George Illawarra, which was announced by the Dragons earlier this year.
Tigers officials met with Moltzen’s manager Martin Tauber on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the possibility of him staying.
Tauber and St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust both said in separate statements on Wednesday that Moltzen had signed a deal with the Dragons.
But on Wednesday evening, the Tigers released a short statement stating they never agreed to Moltzen’s early departure to join the Dragons next season – with his original Tigers contract valid until the end of 2012.
“Whilst it was announced earlier this year by St George-Illawarra Dragons that Tim had signed a new contract with them to commence in 2012, Wests Tigers has not granted him a release from his existing contract with the club that expires at the end of next season,” the statement said.
“The matter is ongoing and the club will work with Tim’s manager and the Dragons to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”
Prior to walking into his meeting with the club, Tauber admitted he was in the dark about the full extent of the situation having just returned from overseas, but said “he has definitely signed with the Dragons”.
“I only got back from New York yesterday afternoon and to be honest, I have no idea what it is all about,” Tauber told AAP.
“I’ve got a meeting with the Tigers today and that’s when I will know exactly what is going on.
“He has definitely signed with the Dragons, but now there is talk of a release so I am now off to find out more.”
Doust denied any knowledge of Moltzen wanting out of his deal with the club.
“Tim Moltzen and his manager have signed a three-year deal with the Dragons,” Doust said in a statement released by the club on Wednesday night.
“We have not had any conversations or received any other information from either Tim or his manager that would suggest he would not be at the Dragons in 2012.”
Moltzen agreed to a contract with the Dragons in July in a move that started a war of words between the joint ventures.
The decision to offload him upset many of the Tigers’ playing group, with star five-eighth and Moltzen’s housemate Benji Marshall, particularly outraged.
At the time, Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys accused the Dragons of being arrogant and disrespectful, claiming they announced the signing without his club’s knowledge.
Doust hit back, saying they were bemused at the comments and that they had acted in good faith.
The Tigers had seen Robert Lui as their long-term halfback.
However, the 20-year looks set to be shown the door following an alleged assault on his partner after the club’s mad Monday celebrations.
His departure would see the club without a recognised, experienced halfback on their books.
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