Wests Tigers issue stern ultimatum to star player Josh Aloiai should he fail to be a no-show at training

Slighted Wests Tigers have warned renegade forward Josh Aloiai that they will come down extra hard — threatening even sacking — if he fails to attend training.

Josh Aloiai blindsided Wests Tigers last week by seeking an immediate release to join Manly.

This could get really ugly.

Renegade Wests Tigers forward Josh Aloiai faces being fined, and then sacked, if he fails to attend the club’s first official training sessions next week.

Despite seeking an immediate release and having told club chief executive Justin Pascoe “he will never wear the jersey again”, Aloiai is expected at Wests Tigers’ first off-season training run next Monday.

Should he fail to appear on Monday morning without a medical excuse, the club’s board will consider fining him for breaking an official NRL contract agreement.

If Aloiai then fails to attend training on Tuesday, he could be immediately axed by an irate Wests Tigers.

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There are official provisions in Aloiai’s NRL contract allowing for sanctions to be imposed should he miss training without a satisfactory explanation.

One source close to Wests Tigers said: “If there are repetitive breaches of the contract by a player then it could lead to termination of his contract.

“It’s a scenario the club doesn’t want to see but, by not showing up, it would force the club’s hand. The club doesn’t want to be a doormat. The clubs keeps saying — they won’t be pushed around.”

While aware an unhappy Aloiai could have a negative impact on teammates by attending training, Wests Tigers officials are determined he still fulfil his contractual obligations.

Josh Aloiai is expected to turn up to Tigers training next week.

And club management know Wests Tigers players would be unimpressed having Aloiai back inside the club’s inner sanctum.

Aloiai blindsided Wests Tigers last week by seeking an immediate release to join Manly. While some at the club claim the situation is “untenable”, officials continue to refuse a release.

Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has said as far as the club is concerned “he can mow the lawns at Leichhardt and Campbelltown”.

In retaliation Aloiai photoshopped his head on a gardener mowing a lawn with the caption “I’ll make sure it’s a super fast track boys”.

There have been suggestions Wests Tigers will seek a player swap with Manly’s Curtis Sironen to return to Concord.

Sea Eagles officials are dismissing that suggestion and have no plans to release Sironen, a former Wests Tiger.

The source close to Wests Tigers said: “The club is standing strong — Josh won’t be released from his current playing commitments until there is outcome the club will accept. The club’s preference would be a player to replace him.

The Sea Eagles say they have no plans to release Curtis Sironen.

“Wests Tigers are adamant they can’t have a player of his quality just get up and walk out. They put a lot of work into Josh. The majority of Wests Tigers fans and members are onside with management over this — if you’ve made an agreement, fulfil that agreement.

“It’s not that difficult — see out your contract and then if you want to move on then move on. Clubs spend a lot of time formulating a roster and when a key players just get up and walk out, it puts the club on the back foot.

“Why should Wests Tigers suffer because a player wants to chase more money elsewhere when still under contract? I know it isn’t something the club wanted to play out in the public domain but Wests Tigers know this wasn’t their doing.”

The drama could be settled should Wests Tigers sign Brisbane forward Joe Ofahengaue.

While Wests Tigers would be reluctant to release Aloiai, the club may move on should they secure Ofahengaue, who is contracted to Brisbane for another two seasons but would be granted an early release.

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Originally published as Wests Tigers issue stern ultimatum to star player Josh Aloiai should he fail to be a no-show at training