Brissy Bulldog
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Thompson no longer a Dragon
By Andrew Webster
November 16, 2005
Lance Thompson is on the hunt for a new NRL club after he and St George Illawarra agreed to terminated his contract last night.
The saga over his future at the club, where he has played for the past 11 seasons, came to an end - for now - after a marathon 2½-hour board meeting at St George Leagues Club.
An ashen-faced Thompson, alongside his legal representative Chris Murphy, emerged to say: "I'm happy it's all over and done with. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Obviously I can now look to brighter pastures."
Despite his comments, however, it is understood that the long-serving second-rower had entered last night's meeting with the hope of staying at the Dragons next season.
Thompson was fronting the board to show cause why he should not be sacked for allegedly sending abusive text messages to teammate Justin Poore and for criticising the club publicly over its attempt to squeeze him out because of salary cap problems.
No Dragons official would comment on Thompson's departure but a brief statement from the club said both parties had agreed to keep the terms of the settlement confidential.
It is uncertain if Thompson's contract was paid out.
While the 27-year-old is a free agent, it is believed he will look to stay in the NRL. He has a four-year-old daughter and playing overseas is not considered an option. Cronulla have already shown some interest.
Earlier, Murphy successfully had Dragons chief executive Peter Doust stood down from presiding over the hearing as he believed Doust might prejudice proceedings because of public comments he made last month.
Murphy said after the meeting: "Lance Thompson will now be leaving St George Illawarra and we've agreed on terms. His playing contract has now been terminated by mutual agreement.
"The matter has been resolved and settled and Lance is available for a new club next year, and I hope he plays as well as he did this year."
Last night brought a sad end to the stalwart Dragon's career, which started in 1995 with the club.
This season he reached the 200-game mark and he is considered one of the club's proudest players. His termination is bound to upset many St George Illawarra fans, some of whom gathered at the leagues club to offer their support.
"It's a pity to see him leave like this," Dragons great Graeme Langlands said. "I thought he had his best season this year and it's a real shame for him to leave like this."
Thompson's departure is sure to give the Dragons what they desperately needed - relief in their salary cap for the 2006 season.
Thompson first learned the club was moving to get rid of him at its annual presentation night at Sydney Town Hall last month when Dragons official Bruce Spaul told him he had played his last game.
By Andrew Webster
November 16, 2005
Lance Thompson is on the hunt for a new NRL club after he and St George Illawarra agreed to terminated his contract last night.
The saga over his future at the club, where he has played for the past 11 seasons, came to an end - for now - after a marathon 2½-hour board meeting at St George Leagues Club.
An ashen-faced Thompson, alongside his legal representative Chris Murphy, emerged to say: "I'm happy it's all over and done with. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Obviously I can now look to brighter pastures."
Despite his comments, however, it is understood that the long-serving second-rower had entered last night's meeting with the hope of staying at the Dragons next season.
Thompson was fronting the board to show cause why he should not be sacked for allegedly sending abusive text messages to teammate Justin Poore and for criticising the club publicly over its attempt to squeeze him out because of salary cap problems.
No Dragons official would comment on Thompson's departure but a brief statement from the club said both parties had agreed to keep the terms of the settlement confidential.
It is uncertain if Thompson's contract was paid out.
While the 27-year-old is a free agent, it is believed he will look to stay in the NRL. He has a four-year-old daughter and playing overseas is not considered an option. Cronulla have already shown some interest.
Earlier, Murphy successfully had Dragons chief executive Peter Doust stood down from presiding over the hearing as he believed Doust might prejudice proceedings because of public comments he made last month.
Murphy said after the meeting: "Lance Thompson will now be leaving St George Illawarra and we've agreed on terms. His playing contract has now been terminated by mutual agreement.
"The matter has been resolved and settled and Lance is available for a new club next year, and I hope he plays as well as he did this year."
Last night brought a sad end to the stalwart Dragon's career, which started in 1995 with the club.
This season he reached the 200-game mark and he is considered one of the club's proudest players. His termination is bound to upset many St George Illawarra fans, some of whom gathered at the leagues club to offer their support.
"It's a pity to see him leave like this," Dragons great Graeme Langlands said. "I thought he had his best season this year and it's a real shame for him to leave like this."
Thompson's departure is sure to give the Dragons what they desperately needed - relief in their salary cap for the 2006 season.
Thompson first learned the club was moving to get rid of him at its annual presentation night at Sydney Town Hall last month when Dragons official Bruce Spaul told him he had played his last game.
