Josh Aloiai says his conscience is clean over dramatic switch from Wests Tigers to Sea Eagles

Josh Aloiai lit the fuse for a showdown with his former club by declaring “there is no guilt on my conscience – they might not be able to say the same”.

Sea Eagles forward Josh Aloiai at Manly training. Credit: Sea Eagles Digital

There is no guilt on Josh Aloiai’s shoulders but the Tigers management may not be able to feel the same way according to the ex-Tiger who plays his former club for the first time on Sunday.

Aloiai was embroiled in the NRL’s most dramatic off-season departure when he suddenly wanted out of the Wests Tigers to take up a three-year deal with Manly. Heated rhetoric between the two parties followed, including threats of forcing Aloiai to play for the Tigers or turn up and cut the grass and paint the dressing sheds. Aloiai mocked the comments from Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis by creating a meme on his Instagram account.

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New Manly signing Josh Aloiai has arrived at Brookvale. Supplied

Aloiai laughed as he said “a few people have said that to me” when The Sunday Telegraph asked if he was packing his lawnmower in his kitbag ahead of the clash at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday.

But he stood firm when quizzed on what would happened if he ran into the Tigers hierarchy.

“I’m man enough to shake their hand,” Aloiai said.

“I know I have had integrity with all my dealings. There is no guilt on my conscience. I will shake everyone’s hand. They might not be able to say the same but I have held my integrity.

“Yep (the way it ended stung) but everything worked out for the good. This is where I belong. I feel happy. It worked out for the good.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Josh Aloiai took a shot at Tigers’ management via Instagram.

The expectation of coming up against his former club is softened after playing them in a pre-season hitout at Leichhardt Oval. The chorus of boos each time he touched the ball during the pre-season hitout did not go unnoticed.

While his relationship with Tigers officials is beyond repair the 25-year-old has nothing but affection for his former teammates.

“Thanks for differentiating that,” Aloiai said.

“I still have lots of good relationships with the players.

“A lot of them have been really supportive of my move. Supportive of me outside of footy. We still encourage each other. People like Jacob Liddle have messaged me after games to say I’ve played well.

“I’m close with all the boys there pretty much. Playing against friends, you want to go harder against your mates and they will try and do that with me. When you’re in the NRL you play against people you know every week.

“Some of my really close friends like Luciano Leilua, Michael Chee Kam and Thomas Mikaele. They are professionals and they won’t take it easy on me and I won’t take it easy on them.

“The Tigers are under the pump at the moment. They will bring a big, strong performance. We will be ready for it.”

Josh Aloiai is monstered by David Fifita in round six. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Sea Eagles have won their past two games after dropping their opening four matches. Despite the slow start to the season, Aloiai said he felt at home in his new colours.

“I’m loving it,” Aloiai said.

“It shows in my performances. Happy players are good players. I feel like I’m playing well because I’m happy. I have a good group around me that are really bringing out the best in me. I want to be known as someone that’s reliable and tough. I want to bring that toughness.”

Originally published as Josh Aloiai says his conscience is clean over dramatic switch from Wests Tigers to Sea Eagles