Bulldogs general manager Phil Gold explained the sudden departure of the stars outside of Brent Naden, which quickly followed the news of coach Trent Barrett’s resignation.
In a turbulent week for the Belmore club, Naden added a twist when he was named in the West Tigers squad that was unveiled at 4pm on Tuesday.
The move was so hasty that neither the Bulldogs nor the Tigers had time to announce it when the team list was released before it was released to the world.
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This led to instant speculation that Naden left the Bulldogs in protest as soon as possible after Barrett announced that he was no longer the head coach.
Speaking at the Wide World of Sports Six tackles with gas The podcast, Gold straightens the record, explaining that the Tigers have been around Naden since the summer and Gold himself decided to give the player a chance to change the scene on Friday, while Barrett was still in the lead.
“So Brent Naden, we had a method – we had several methods during the summer months,” Gold said.
“The West Tigers had a place left (on their list) and they were looking out the back and they communicated often. Last week again they made a method.
“I didn’t say anything to Brent until after the game on Friday night. I said we got an approach from the West Tigers and he should consider it.
“When Trent decided on Sunday that he was leaving, I told Brent that, you know, this is probably an option he wants to consider. And he decided to do it.”
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Gold’s explanation follows comments from Tigers football boss Tim Shins, who told the Sydney Morning Herald that Naden’s desire to play at the center played a role in his Bulldogs departure.
“Last week Brent was thrown out as a possibility because the kid wanted to play at the center, he was on the wing. [at Canterbury]And we need to strengthen that area, “Shins said.
“He’s a good character, he has abilities and we have to move forward in that area.”
Naden will be training with the Tigers for the first time today, with coach Michael Maguire then making a call about whether to use him in his 17th against his old club on Friday.
Gold said he hoped Naden’s departure from the Bulldogs would open the door to give young guns Jacob Kiraj and Paul Alamoti a first-class chance.
He added that the Bulldogs had to carefully consider their pay cap, with some necessary vacancies being filled with Naden’s move.
“We also need some pay cap room, so it worked for the West Tigers and it works for us and I think it would be a good move for Brent Naden as well.”
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