Apparently, Dragons coach Steve Price could not wait to get rid of grand final-winning five-eighth Jamie Soward and he was released mid-season 2013.
The rest of that season after Soward left was even worse for the Dragons, including a record seven consecutive losses.
Pink Panther Soward had the pleasure of playing against the Dragons in the Nines and the Panthers won.
Soward also played well against the Knights in the opening round, with one 40-20 which inexplicitly did not get the quick tap that would have led to an immediate try.
So Jamie is happy at the Panthers and the Dragons had to spend big to get Gareth Widdop to the club to replace him.
Soward, prior to joining the Dragons, was not properly appreciated at the Roosters and half-way into the 2007 season he was given an immediate release to join the Dragons.
Peter Wallace, another Pink Panther, has a similar story.
Wallace was the subject of controversy when he was dropped to NSWRL Premier League in Round 15 of the NRL competition in 2007 by Penrith coach Matthew Elliott, he then moved to the Broncos and is now back home after being a Broncos outcast at the end of 2013.
In 2014, the Broncos are regarded by many as struggling to find a halves pairing and when asked how he felt about the playmaker-less predicament at the Broncos, Peter Wallace shot back: “Mate, it’s not my problem.”
Brent Kite does not quite fall into the castoff category but he is a Pink Panther who is more appreciated there in 2014 than at the Sea Eagles at the end of 2013.
So what do we see at the Sea Eagles, having lost Kite and George Rose? They are desperate for more forward strength and have at the last minute signed former New Zealand international forward Epalahame Lauaki.
The Kiwi and Tongan international began his career with the Warriors and played in the UK with both Hull and Wigan before being released this early this year.
George Rose of course had the pleasure of rolling over the Sea Eagles in the Storm’s narrow win, so what goes away may soon come back to haunt you.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I was sorry to see kite leave the Dragons but he seemed to do better at the Sea Eagles although I do not think he quite reached his full potential.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I do not think that either were castoffs and in relation Kite I said: Brent Kite does not quite fall into the castoff category but he is a Pink Panther who is more appreciated there in 2014 than at the Sea Eagles at the end of 2013. Both apparently went for more money than was on offer from Manly.
Charles NSW
Guest
It is a pity NSW SOO could not have used Brent Kite more when they were short on forwards. Both Luke Bailey and him were left behind, I am not sure why!
eagleJack
Guest
Spot on Mals. If Fa'aoso doesn't retire then Manly don't go after Lauaki. Big leap for Walter to make that Kite was not appreciated at Manly. He was loved. But with salary cap constraints the Panthers offer was too good to refuse for Brent and his family.
Mals
Guest
C'mon Walter you are not telling the full truth here. The only reason why Manly went & bought Epalahame Lauaki was because Richie Fa'aoso retired just before the season started. If Toovey had know Fa'aoso was retiring he more than likely would have kept George Rose. The only reason why Kite wasn't kept on was due to salary cap constraints. Trust me Tooves knows better than anyone what a class front row forward that Brent Kite is.
Mal
Guest
C'mon you are not telling the full truth here. The only reason why Manly went & bought Epalahame Lauaki was because Richie Fa'aoso retired just before the season started. If Toovey had know Fa'aoso was retiring he more than likely would have kept George Rose. The only reason why Kite wasn't kept on was due to salary cap constraints. Trust me Tooves knows better than anyone what a class front row forward that Brent Kite is.
Charles NSW
Guest
If that is the problem it is a problem a lot of coaches have with players! The coach wants to have a game plan in place but the player wants to go his own way With a playmaker it can cause havoc in the team! Bennett would not allow that but Price had little choice with no one to take over Unless you can mange the problem so you can both benefit it is best to let the player go!
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
If every one is keeping quiet it was probably a condition of his release. Soward was not playing well last year but apparently being heavily directed by the coaching staff as to what he could or could not do on the field. Not free to do his own thing.
Charles NSW
Guest
I would be interested to know what the real story was with Jamie Soward and Steve Price! Was it a personal issue or problems with the coach?
Glenn Gould
Guest
How many times do we have to hear that Soward was mistreated by the Dragons??? I'm fed up to the back teeth hearing about it!!!! Fact is he was no where playing to his potential not even close!!! Soward played like he didn't want to be there pure and simple!!! Which happened in and around the time Bennett left, anyone ever thought Soward might have been dirty that Bennett didn't take him to Newcastle with him??? All I saw from Soward was a little kicking stones and sulking!!! I would like to congratulate the Dragons on the class they are showing by not saying anything about the situation with Soward!! Can we please move on from this same old over used story!!!