Gate shut to Williams: captain
BULLDOGS captain Andrew Ryan concedes that Sonny Bill Williams has played his last game for the club.
While the Bulldogs and the NRL were talking tough yesterday about taking legal action to ensure Williams honours his five-year contract, Ryan could not see any way back to the NRL for his team-mate.
"I don't really know what's going to happen but it would probably seem that way at the moment," Ryan said.
"Obviously he doesn't have any intention to play with the Bulldogs."
Ryan was like most of the first-grade team, finding out via phone calls on Saturday night that Williams had fled the country to accept a two-year, $2.6million-plus deal with French rugby union club Toulon.
The Bulldogs backrower said he had spoken to several of Williams' close friends in the side, including Reni Maitua, Daryl Millard, Willie Tonga and Ben Roberts, to glean if they had inside knowledge.
"I just want him to be happy but at this stage I can't make any comment because the club has asked us not to speak," Maitua said.
The Australian has been told only two players know the real reason behind Williams' decision but are not about to break their silence just yet.
That position could change this week if they feel that Williams is being unfairly vilified in the media.
Regardless of what happens, Ryan said Williams would have a lot of wounds to heal if he ever returned to the NRL.
"It would take a lot. He's hurt a lot of us," Ryan said bluntly. "We'll cross that bridge if we ever come to it but we'll see."
Ryan said most players felt particularly betrayed by Williams' decision to walk out on the club, especially as the season isn't over.
The Bulldogs are in second last place with seven rounds to go and face St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium tonight.
Without their best player, the Bulldogs face a real battle to avoid the wooden spoon given they are only four points clear of last-placed North Queensland which will soon have Test halfback Johnathan Thurston back from a knee injury.
"We've still got seven weeks to go and we still want to bust our butts and work as hard as we can," Ryan said.
"It would be a different story if at the end of the season he'd gone to the players or the club and said, 'I'm struggling, I want a bit of a change and I've got a great opportunity'.
"But to leave us where we are at the moment without telling anyone is very hard to swallow.
"For him to do that at this stage of the season and to the club that has given him a lot is very disappointing."
Williams' decision continued to send shockwaves across the game yesterday.
Former Bulldogs team-mates turned Sydney Roosters, Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley, both refused to enter the debate following their win over Manly at the SFS.
However, Roosters coach Brad Fittler said he couldn't excuse Williams' actions.
"He's walked out on a lot of people," Fittler said.
"I find it quite disappointing. I'd be quite disappointed if one of our players did it for whatever reason.
"I couldn't find a strong enough reason for his actions.
"His talent and his drawcard, everything about is a big loss to rugby league, no doubt in the world."
Roosters captain Craig Fitzgibbon indicated there must be more to the story.
"It must have been a horrible reason behind the scenes at the club as to why he's so dirty on the Bulldogs," Fitzgibbon said.
"I guess we just have to move on if he doesn't want to be there, but in saying that I can't recall another player as talented.
"It is to be hoped there can be some resolution to this issue. There's only ever been one Sonny Bill."
Manly coach Des Hasler described the walkout as unfortunate.
"One of my players wouldn't do it," Hasler said.
"Obviously the right people in the right positions will take the stance that's needed."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24086314-5012431,00.html