Admin
29-05-08, 06:00 PM
Souths' crisis costs club its $1.4m prized recruit
Stuart Honeysett and Brent Read | May 29, 2008
PETER HOLMES A COURT's final act as executive chairman appears to have cost South Sydney the prized scalp of Penrith utility Luke Lewis.
Lewis ended speculation about his future yesterday when he baulked at an alleged $1.4million offer from the Rabbitohs to sign a four-year deal with Penrith.
While Souths insiders held nothing against Lewis after he cited personal reasons for his about-face, they believe Holmes a Court's comments last Friday that he couldn't guarantee the club's future hurt their cause.
Holmes a Court was dumped as executive chairman by Souths co-owner Russell Crowe on Monday as part of a major restructure of the front office.
"I wasn't aware of a problem (with Lewis) until last Friday," one Souths official told The Australian yesterday.
However, Lewis was adamant last night that Souths' dramas had nothing to do with his decision to remain at Penrith.
It is understood the news was actually leaked on the Panthers website by a member of Lewis' family before the club issued a press release.
"I've been through the tough times (at Penrith) last year, where we didn't win many games and we came last and won the wooden spoon," Lewis said.
"Every club goes through it, Souths are going through it at the moment, but I'm sure they'll turn it around. They've got the players there to do it, it's just getting a couple of wins together before they start believing again."
Lewis, 24, said an illness in his girlfriend's family had contributed to his decision but added he was happy to be staying at a club he has represented since 2001.
"I've been with my girlfriend for four years and her father's not too well and she doesn't really want to move away," Lewis said.
"We sat down and wrote down the positives and negatives of leaving and staying and the positives leant towards staying at Penrith and that's how I came to my decision.
"I've come through playing for Penrith and supporting Penrith all my life and to know I was going was pretty tough. It's overwhelming to know I can stay at Penrith with all the boys I've grown up with and know there."
Just-reappointed Souths chief executive Shane Richardson didn't want to comment on Holmes a Court's role, saying NRL guidelines governing player transfers had contributed to Lewis staying put.
All clubs have until the end of round 13 to make a counter offer to any player that has attracted interest from rival bidders.
"He had personal reasons and rah rah rah, but it doesn't matter what you had in place - every club has until round 13," Richardson said.
"We had the obligation, the emails, we went through the procedure of presenting it to Penrith - all of those things we handled correctly. We all knew what the system was and you're there waiting with your heart in your mouth for it to happen."
Lewis, who has been in outstanding form for the Panthers since switching to halfback, said he felt as if he had let Souths officials down. Two days ago, Crowe took Lewis to lunch to try to prevent him from backing out.
"It's good to be over but I feel like I've let someone down as well," Lewis said.
"I should have given Russell Crowe, Shane Richardson and Jason Taylor the heads up first before it all got out.
"I haven't had a chance to talk to them and I wanted to say thanks for everything and they've always been very good and done everything for me."
While disappointed at missing out on Lewis, Richardson said it would leave Souths with substantial funds to target other players off contract this year.
There has been speculation that several players are out of favour and could leave the club by the end of the season.
However, Souths' hopes of a signing spree could be hampered by the fact several stars have already sorted out their futures.
Players still on the market include Canberra's Terry Campese, North Queensland's Jacob Lillyman, Brisbane's Darius Boyd and Wigan's Trent Barrett.
"We have a war chest now - not just from missing out on him (Lewis) but other money as well," Richardson said.
"If you recall Willie Mason was on the market at the end of last year. You never know what's going to pop up."
Stuart Honeysett and Brent Read | May 29, 2008
PETER HOLMES A COURT's final act as executive chairman appears to have cost South Sydney the prized scalp of Penrith utility Luke Lewis.
Lewis ended speculation about his future yesterday when he baulked at an alleged $1.4million offer from the Rabbitohs to sign a four-year deal with Penrith.
While Souths insiders held nothing against Lewis after he cited personal reasons for his about-face, they believe Holmes a Court's comments last Friday that he couldn't guarantee the club's future hurt their cause.
Holmes a Court was dumped as executive chairman by Souths co-owner Russell Crowe on Monday as part of a major restructure of the front office.
"I wasn't aware of a problem (with Lewis) until last Friday," one Souths official told The Australian yesterday.
However, Lewis was adamant last night that Souths' dramas had nothing to do with his decision to remain at Penrith.
It is understood the news was actually leaked on the Panthers website by a member of Lewis' family before the club issued a press release.
"I've been through the tough times (at Penrith) last year, where we didn't win many games and we came last and won the wooden spoon," Lewis said.
"Every club goes through it, Souths are going through it at the moment, but I'm sure they'll turn it around. They've got the players there to do it, it's just getting a couple of wins together before they start believing again."
Lewis, 24, said an illness in his girlfriend's family had contributed to his decision but added he was happy to be staying at a club he has represented since 2001.
"I've been with my girlfriend for four years and her father's not too well and she doesn't really want to move away," Lewis said.
"We sat down and wrote down the positives and negatives of leaving and staying and the positives leant towards staying at Penrith and that's how I came to my decision.
"I've come through playing for Penrith and supporting Penrith all my life and to know I was going was pretty tough. It's overwhelming to know I can stay at Penrith with all the boys I've grown up with and know there."
Just-reappointed Souths chief executive Shane Richardson didn't want to comment on Holmes a Court's role, saying NRL guidelines governing player transfers had contributed to Lewis staying put.
All clubs have until the end of round 13 to make a counter offer to any player that has attracted interest from rival bidders.
"He had personal reasons and rah rah rah, but it doesn't matter what you had in place - every club has until round 13," Richardson said.
"We had the obligation, the emails, we went through the procedure of presenting it to Penrith - all of those things we handled correctly. We all knew what the system was and you're there waiting with your heart in your mouth for it to happen."
Lewis, who has been in outstanding form for the Panthers since switching to halfback, said he felt as if he had let Souths officials down. Two days ago, Crowe took Lewis to lunch to try to prevent him from backing out.
"It's good to be over but I feel like I've let someone down as well," Lewis said.
"I should have given Russell Crowe, Shane Richardson and Jason Taylor the heads up first before it all got out.
"I haven't had a chance to talk to them and I wanted to say thanks for everything and they've always been very good and done everything for me."
While disappointed at missing out on Lewis, Richardson said it would leave Souths with substantial funds to target other players off contract this year.
There has been speculation that several players are out of favour and could leave the club by the end of the season.
However, Souths' hopes of a signing spree could be hampered by the fact several stars have already sorted out their futures.
Players still on the market include Canberra's Terry Campese, North Queensland's Jacob Lillyman, Brisbane's Darius Boyd and Wigan's Trent Barrett.
"We have a war chest now - not just from missing out on him (Lewis) but other money as well," Richardson said.
"If you recall Willie Mason was on the market at the end of last year. You never know what's going to pop up."