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.
Pete75
Guest
No. Tough luck Dragons. He was never released from the Tigers, so he's still under contract. Case closed.
Al from ctown
Guest
I don't believe it is a smack in the mouth in this day and age, I believe it's just being fair to tell your players that they cannot fit you in their cap after their contract expires... It's not giving your manager the green light to pretend you no longer have a year left on your contract however... It gives other clubs a chance to 'save up' for you or make a deal for after the expiry of your contract... Failing this, your manager needs to get the green light to be released early, which in this case hasnt been done... And st George should have made sure of that before penning a deal at all... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Steven Robertson
Guest
Al, telling someone they are free to talk to other clubs is a smack in the mouth for the player and if he happens to find a club that wants him then good luck to him....ya can't have ya cake and eat it to. Moltzen along with 3 other players were told they are no longer part of there plans to go forward.......remember the huge coin your blokes poured into Blairs pockets, well it has got to come from somewhere, and the Tigers decided it will be Moltzen and his couple of mates....
Steven Robertson
Guest
Will, I don't know where you get your information from but I doubt very much it is Moltzen who wants to return to the Tigers......
voodoo people
Guest
Bitter much Will? Its not about forcing him to play - he signed a contract thats legally binding. Either he plays for St George next year, or Wests/Moltzen pay compensation to St George to release him (for messing with their playing roster). Its a no brainer.
Meesta Cool
Guest
I Agree Will's comment!. it seems that there are a lot of potentially good fullbacks around. bring them on, give them a chance. Moltzen wants to stay with Tigers, what good will he be as a person who doesn't really want to be with your team.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Chop and Junior. Maybe no Victorians, but most of our blokes came when no one else wanted them. fraid this is what happens when AFL rules. but we have more kids showing potential in the U20s and I doubt we will be fighting any club for 'established talent' for a long time to come!. Dragons want to replace a 'Bought' full back with another 'Bought' fullback, I can see where Storm Gal is coming from!. I also don't think she meant it personal against Dragons. but she certainly touched a nerve and got a personal response about Storm. Yeah Mates, bring kids through the system. you will end up with a better team for the effort.
Ticker
Guest
Their junior teams are chock full of them. Also, their ability to develop players from all areas of the country can't be ignored.
Al from ctown
Guest
So there is an existing contract for moltzen for the tigers v's a so called verbal agreement that anyone on the tigers behalf would deny as it's not documented..? Hmmm telling someone they are allowed to look around doesn't give them authorization to sign elsewhere... Just my thoughts.. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Statement from the Tigers: "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 matter is ongoing and the Club will work with Tim’s Manager and the Dragons to resolve the situation as quickly as possible." Interesting.
Junior
Guest
Too right, I dont see a lot of Victorian born players playing in the NRL
Junior
Guest
Will Sinclair that is Bullocks, Moltzen does want to play for the Dragons, why do you think he signed a contract with them
Will Sinclair
Guest
I am really surprised that a club like Saints has fallen so far that they need to legally force players to pull on their jumper. If the bloke doesn't want to play for them, it should be a no brainer.
voodoo people
Guest
So? Why grant him a release and let him sign a contract with St George if they wanted to keep him? The Tigers don't have a leg to stand on in this issue. They will either have to pay St George for his re-release or suck it up and go without a halfback. Robert Lui's troubles are not grounds to undo legal contracts. Wests need to grow up.
voodoo people
Guest
They can't keep him. Not legally anyway. A verbal agreement to release him is legally binding. Its called estoppel. St George has lodged a legitemate contract with the NRL.
voodoo people
Guest
No, you couldn't be more wrong Will. Moltzen had a verbal agreement that he would be released due to salary cap issues (this is legally binding), so his manager looked elsewhere. He signed with the Dragons. Tigers were angry because they claim they weren't informed. Lui looks like getting sacked, so the Tigers try to backflip to keep him. You can't do that. Either the Tigers are a pack of pirate scoundrels, or Humphries doesn't have a clue whats going on at his own club. Either way, it makes them look bad.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Barry - my understanding is that Moltzen has approached the club to say he doesn't want to leave. He wants to be a Tiger next season and into the future. We always complain that players don't care enough about the clubs they represent, and now we criticise one who care a lot. He wants to be a Tiger. In any sane world that's exactly what he will be. I am sure the Dragons - a wonderful club - will have no trouble attracting players who would be honoured to wear the Red V. They don't need to force Moltzen to play for them.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Poor form from the Tigers...Moltzens signing was all over the papers in July, there was months of speculation about how the release of Gibbs, Fulton, Fifita, Moltzen was affecting morale and now the Tiges are saying "we didn't know anything about it".
Chop
Roar Guru
Oh the irony of this comment coming from a Storm supporter....How many home grown players do the Storm have?
storm gal
Guest
why cant dragons grow there own fulback like wot other teams have to