NEWCASTLE coach Nathan Brown has come to the defence of departing skipper Tariq Sims amid a wave of criticism of his decision to depart the struggling club possibly before the 2016 season is out.
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St George Illawarra confirmed late on Monday night that they had lured the Gerringong junior back to Wollongong on a lucrative three-year deal starting next season.
The statement said that Sims would join the club in November, but he may yet don the Red V this season with Knights CEO Matt Gidley saying on Monday such a move prior to the June 30 transfer deadline would rest on whether the Dragons can present an acceptable player swap deal.
“At this stage, we’re open to having a discussion [about an early release] but Tariq’s contract with us is until the end of 2016,’’ Gidley said.
Such a move would certainly be an interesting one with the Dragons still to face the he Knights twice this season with the first clash coming in round 16 – five days prior to the June 30 deadline.
With the Knights faithful already enduring a season from hell Sims has copped plenty of flak on social media from fans suggesting the Fijian International is looking to flee a sinking ship.
Brown sought to clarify the situation in the immediate aftermath of the Knight heart-breaking 20-18 loss to the Eels on Monday.
"I understand Tariq is getting a bit of a hard time on social media,” Brown said.
“People probably need to understand that Tariq didn't come in and demand a pay rise, the market forces determine Tariq deserved to get paid what he's to be paid.
"As the head coach of the club and with Moons [Football Manager Darren Mooney] we made a decision that it wasn't in our best interests to move into those figures at this stage.
“We have inherited a roster that has a salary cap which is in a certain situation and we have to make some hard calls early on.
“Sometimes you lose players you don’t want to lose. People shouldn’t judge the player. Tariq's copping a bit of unfair criticism out there because of what someone else was willing to pay.
“He is well within his right to actually say 'I'm going to get paid this elsewhere and if you aren't going to come to the party well then I may leave'. That’s the business we’re in.
"It's not his fault he got offered what he got offered. The Dragons determined he has a value.”
Brown gave little away when asked whether Sims would see out the remainder of the season in the Hunter.
“At this stage all I can is that Taz is here. That’s probably the best way to put it.
