Mathers to Wigan
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:06 am
Titans release Mathers, Walker injured
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - 6:18 PM
Gold Coast have released Englishman Richie Mathers from the final year of his contract just a day before first-choice fullback Chris Walker broke down at training with a serious foot injury.
Mathers, 24, will head back home to join Super League club Wigan on a three-year deal.
The timing is unfortunate for the Titans, who will lose Walker for at least six months after the former Queensland Origin star ruptured an Achilles tendon on Monday at Casuarina on the northern NSW coast.
Mathers met with Titans chief executive Michael Searle and coach John Cartwright on Sunday when he was granted a release on "compassionate grounds".
"I've had a tough 12 months here injury-wise," said Mathers, who played only a handful of games for the Titans after undergoing a right knee reconstruction this year.
"It was a fantastic opportunity for me to go home."
Wigan has not yet announced the news so Mathers did not want to confirm which club he would be joining.
"It's one of the few clubs that caught my imagination," he said.
"It's made me really excited to go back home to a strong club."
Mathers admitted he had been homesick during his time on the Gold Coast but pointed out it was a minor factor in his decision to leave Australia.
Searle explained: "He was released on compassionate grounds.
"We always knew he was homesick but we we're hoping he'd get through it but obviously it's been too taxing on him and his partner.
"I'm OK with that. He'll be sorely missed. He's been an important part of the playing group and he's really well liked by the boys.
"When you've got a kid like Richie who's such a champion lad, it's hard not to accept his request."
Mathers said he felt sorry for Walker, who ended the 2007 season with a serious knee injury and was almost sacked by the Titans following a drunken incident at a Surfers Paradise nightclub in April.
"I know first-hand how hard he's worked to get back in and what he's had to overcome," the former Leeds fullback said.
"He was really looking forward to next year so it's a terrible shame for Walks and the Titans but I'm sure it'll throw up an opportunity for someone else."
The injury to Walker could fast track the development of his namesake, 18-year-old Shannon Walker, who is the Queensland Cup player of the year.
Source: AAP
Views: 834
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - 6:18 PM
Gold Coast have released Englishman Richie Mathers from the final year of his contract just a day before first-choice fullback Chris Walker broke down at training with a serious foot injury.
Mathers, 24, will head back home to join Super League club Wigan on a three-year deal.
The timing is unfortunate for the Titans, who will lose Walker for at least six months after the former Queensland Origin star ruptured an Achilles tendon on Monday at Casuarina on the northern NSW coast.
Mathers met with Titans chief executive Michael Searle and coach John Cartwright on Sunday when he was granted a release on "compassionate grounds".
"I've had a tough 12 months here injury-wise," said Mathers, who played only a handful of games for the Titans after undergoing a right knee reconstruction this year.
"It was a fantastic opportunity for me to go home."
Wigan has not yet announced the news so Mathers did not want to confirm which club he would be joining.
"It's one of the few clubs that caught my imagination," he said.
"It's made me really excited to go back home to a strong club."
Mathers admitted he had been homesick during his time on the Gold Coast but pointed out it was a minor factor in his decision to leave Australia.
Searle explained: "He was released on compassionate grounds.
"We always knew he was homesick but we we're hoping he'd get through it but obviously it's been too taxing on him and his partner.
"I'm OK with that. He'll be sorely missed. He's been an important part of the playing group and he's really well liked by the boys.
"When you've got a kid like Richie who's such a champion lad, it's hard not to accept his request."
Mathers said he felt sorry for Walker, who ended the 2007 season with a serious knee injury and was almost sacked by the Titans following a drunken incident at a Surfers Paradise nightclub in April.
"I know first-hand how hard he's worked to get back in and what he's had to overcome," the former Leeds fullback said.
"He was really looking forward to next year so it's a terrible shame for Walks and the Titans but I'm sure it'll throw up an opportunity for someone else."
The injury to Walker could fast track the development of his namesake, 18-year-old Shannon Walker, who is the Queensland Cup player of the year.
Source: AAP
Views: 834