Following reports that Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma will be loaned to Melbourne for the remainder of the season, it looks like the Storm's weeks-long search may be over.
Now Warriors CEO Cameron George has gone on record about the Melbourne club's relentless pursuit of Reece Walsh โ their initial target to replace Ryan Papenhuyzen in the No.1 jersey.
The Storm believed that as the Warriors were out of the finals race and Walsh would be leaving at the end of the season, the club might be more inclined to let him leave early. But according to George, the Warriors had to knock back Melbourneโs advances on more than one occasion.
โIโve been approached by (Melbourne), and I had no interest whatsoever to โfire saleโ a player off just because of our spot on the ladder,โ George told stuff.co.nz
โItโs important to remember Reece was committed to our club. The only reason that changed is through a series of conversations weโve had โ and it was done on very significant personal grounds, that he wanted to be with his daughter all the time.โ
Itโs been well-reported that family was the key motivator for Walshโs move. Were it not for the sudden change in his personal circumstances, George believes Walsh may have stayed with the Warriors to take up a contract option for 2024.
โThatโs the only reason he is leaving. It never crossed my mind to think weโd let him go to another club now,โ said George.
โItโs not right for our fans and sponsors, because we still want to win every game we can and heโll play a part in that.
โItโs been an absolute no from the word go. Iโve told the Storm that. I keep reading (that the Storm want Walsh), but itโs not changing.โ
โWe donโt want to see him trot off to another state and live down there. It flies in the face of why weโre letting him go in the first place.
โWhile I feel for Melbourne, (injuries) happen to every club at some stage and itโs not in the best interests of this club to let Reece go. Thatโs what matters most to me, so thatโs it.โ
Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson agreed with George that he didnโt want Walsh to leave, but didnโt find Melbourneโs relentless interest at the time disrespectful.
โ(The pursuit) is smart. They want to win a comp and they want the best players to do that,โ Johnson said.
โHeโs a player a lot of clubs would love to have out the back.
โHeโs made the decision to head home next season for family reasons, so I canโt see why heโd head to Melbourne for the rest of the year.โ
