Titans don?t want Turner?s career to stall

Gold Coast Titans Managing Director Michael Searle and Coach John Cartwright today reinforced their commitment to Steve Turner, saying the 21 year old Melbourne Storm player will be welcomed at the Gold Coast club with open arms once his 2006 National Rugby League commitments have ceased.

?Coach John Cartwright and I look forward to having Steve join his new team mates on the Gold Coast later this year. It is with great disappointment that we have heard Steve may consider sitting out the next three National Rugby League seasons. The Gold Coast Titans stress this would be a regrettable outcome, and this decision can only be made by Steve.? Searle said.

?The last thing we want is for Steve?s promising career to be placed on hold; in fact we are confident that his career will flourish under the strong coaching team we have assembled at the Club. We are also sure Steve will enjoy his time on the Gold Coast and at the Titans.?

?We did consider an application for release made by Steve Turner last week, however there were no compassionate grounds and it was decided the Club would be setting a horrible precedent if we were to grant a release simply because the player changed his mind or had been persuaded to stay on at his present club.?