Sam Perrett fails to show at Roosters training

THE Sam Perrett saga took an incredible twist last night when he didn't show-up to Roosters training - yet was named to face Manly this weekend.

THE Sam Perrett saga took an incredible twist last night when he didn't show-up to Roosters training - yet was nevertheless named to face premiers Manly this weekend.

Less than 24 hours after Roosters officials refused to grant him immediate permission to join Canterbury, the Kiwi winger was nowhere to be seen when his teammates gathered at Moore Park yesterday morning.

Roosters CEO Steve Noyce cited "individual circumstances" to explain Perrett's selection in the wake of a breach that would normally guarantee the axe.

"I'm not denying the fact he didn't turn up," Noyce said. "(But) from time-to-time players or staff might not be able to attend work or training sessions. There needs to be a certain flexibility allowed given individual circumstances.

"There's aspects from Sam's point of view that I understand and appreciate.

"But the facts are that Sam is contracted here until October and we wanted to name the best possible team for a crucial match on Sunday."

The Daily Telegraph understands Roosters players were addressed about the club's decision to retain Perrett, who announced his planned defection to Belmore on the team bus following last Sunday's win over Wests Tigers.

The Bulldogs are desperately short on experience out wide because of injuries and are sweating on Perrett's arrival as the June 30 transfer deadline looms.

But with Peni Tagive and Shaun Kenny-Dowall also sidelined, the Roosters aren't flush for replacements either and are also flirting with the limit of their second-tier salary cap.

Their stance on Perrett might've softened had Manly agreed to immediately release Michael Oldfield - who will join the Bondi outfit on a two-year deal in 2013.

But the Sea Eagles declined, leaving Perrett's agent just over a week to source a suitable stand-in to salvage the Bulldogs transfer.

Perrett's 18-year-old brother Lloyd - a boom prop - is also poised to join Canterbury, while utility Anthony Mitchell is in a similar boat after agreeing to a mid-season transfer with North Queensland.

Like Perrett, Mitchell has thus far been denied permission to leave and was named on the bench for Sunday's clash at Allianz Stadium.

He did, however, attend Roosters training yesterday.

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