Titans say contract will stand but Peachey having second thoughts on Gold Coast move

TYRONE Peachey is having second thoughts about a move to the Gold Coast despite having a watertight contract with the Titans.

TYRONE Peachey is having second thoughts about a move to the Gold Coast despite having a watertight contract with the Titans.

Peachey’s agent Sam Ayoub confirmed the Origin utility was “jittery” about his move away from family support in NSW with he and his partner planning to add to their young family.

Peachey and partner Kellie had their first child, a daughter, Penelope, earlier this year and it’s understood the planned move to the Titans is now weighing heavily on the couple who would be without family support on the Gold Coast.

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Tyrone Peachey has become an Origin representative since signing with the Titans but the Gold Coast have rejected talk the utility is getting cold feet. Photo: AAP

Reports emerged overnight that Peachey, who is currently playing at Penrith, wanted to back out of his Titans deal.

Gold Coast officials hit back at the talk today, saying he was contracted to the club.

Ayoub acknowledged there was not provision for a player to backflip on a deal as happened when Daly Cherry Evans famously reneged on his agreement to head to the Titans.

But he said Peachey and his wife had things to work through before making the move.

“It’s not that things are not good but his wife has been having second thoughts about moving away from the family,” Ayoub said.

“It’s not as straightforward sometimes as people assume.

“The Titans are aware there are a bit of jitters because of the family situation.

“With them planning another baby, it makes people rethink things.

“I’m not suggesting that’s what will eventuate but I’m just being honest about how they’re feeling at the moment.”

Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said no provision now existed for a player to backflip on a contract as happened when Daly Cherry Evans famously reneged on his agreement to head to the Titans.

Titans CEO Graham Annesley says no provision exists for a player to backflip on a contract. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The only thing I can say is Tyrone Peachey is a Titans contracted player, end of section,” Annesley said.

“There is no such thing as backflips any longer, those things were changed after the Cherry Evans debacle.

“A contract is a contract.”

Coach Garth Brennan said he had been aware of the talk for some time, with rumours of Peachey’s nerves emerging a few months ago.

He had reached out to Peachey and manager Sam Ayoub at the time, with both reassuring the coach the Origin utility was comfortable with his decision and set to head to the Gold Coast.

“That rumour’s been floating around, I think it was floating around at Origin time as well but Peach came out in the media and put it to bed back then,” Brennan said.

“I rang Sam and spoke to Tyrone about it and both of them assured me — this was months ago — but both of them reassured me they were looking forward to (coming).

“In a perfect world he probably would have liked to stay at Penrith but unfortunately, it’s a business and the salary cap wouldn’t allow him to stay at Penrith.

Coach Garth Brennan says he has had no notice from Peachey he won’t be on the Gold Coast next season. Photo: AAP

“He was aware of that, he understood that and I think he’s excited and looking forward to getting up to the Gold Coast.”

Peachey is an important plank of the Titans’ recruitment for next season, giving the club a strike backline weapon it has lacked.