Tyrone Peachey denies he ever wanted out of his Gold Coast Titans deal
TYRONE Peachey has broken his silence on his Gold Coast switch, telling The Daily Telegraph he is “100 per cent” committed to his three-year Titans.
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TYRONE Peachey needed convincing he was selected in the Australian squad. But he is adamant he does not need the same amount of persuasion to join the Gold Coast Titans next year.
Peachey has broken his silence telling The Daily Telegraph he is “100 per cent” committed to honouring his three-year Gold Coast deal. Suggestions of a backflip were inflamed when Peachey claimed he “didn’t want to make any decision until the year was finished” last month.
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“I never came out once and said that I didn’t want to go to Gold Coast,” Peachey said. “It just got blown up. I sat back and said nothing. Whenever people asked me questions they were twisting it. Then the Gold Coast got upset with me. I didn’t want to upset anyone or say anything wrong about anyone because I know they are the ones paying the bills.
“I said it was tough to leave Penrith because it means so much to me. It just got blown up and it went a bit crazy.
“I didn’t get a call off anyone (at the Gold Coast). I didn’t think I needed to call anyone. I had the finals to worry about and Penrith. I didn’t want to let Penrith down. We were going into a big game against the Warriors.
“People took it the wrong way.”
The Titans have promised to play hardball to ensure the 27-year-old fulfils his commitment to the club. Regardless, Peachey won’t be at the Panthers next season. He was taken aback by an emotional tribute Phil Gould made to Peachey at the club’s presentation last week.
“It was special,” said Peachey who missed the night as he was with the PM’s XIII in PNG. “That club means a lot to me. It was the hardest decision of my life leaving. I can’t explain how much Gus (Gould) has changed my life. He has given me the opportunity to support my family and set myself up for life after footy.
“I didn’t know I meant that much to him. I knew I got along good with him. I thought that was like everyone but apparently not. He is such a good person and always wants the best for me. I think I have a special place in his heart because I do joke and I love football.”
While Peachey has been overlooked for Saturday’s match against the Kiwis, playing Test football was not on his radar at the start of the season. When Peachey sat down and wrote out his goals for 2018 — they included playing Origin and finals football. Boxes he ticked but he did not think playing for the Kangaroos would happen this year.
“When I got told last week I didn’t believe it,” Peachey said. “I had to call back to make sure I was picked.
“It all came out on Facebook and that’s when I started believing it. I had some goals at the start of the year with Origin and making finals. (Playing for Australia) wasn’t on the list. I don’t know why I didn’t put it on there.
“I was rattled for a bit (when I found out). I didn’t know what to do or who to call. I wasn’t thinking about it.
“I have to finish the landscaping at my house. I’ve been flat out with that since footy finished. To be called into this is crazy.
“I know it’s only a 19 man squad. I think I can be valuable. I can play a few positions. If my name is called I’ll be excited and ready to go.
“At club land it’s a bit difficult because they don’t know where to put me when we have a healthy team. In Origin Freddy (Brad Fittler) just said he didn’t know what position I was going to play just to be ready. I think it’s the same for this.”
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