Two of the Wests Tigers’ biggest stars abandoned their teammates at halftime during their must-win clash on the weekend.
Reynolds and Packer are collectively on a $1.6 million annual salary with the club.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis confirmed the two players were not obligated to attend the match, but admitted it was “not a good look”. “Russell had to warm up with the team as 19th man, but Josh didn’t even warm up with the team. Both players have acknowledged their action creates a perception, but perception is not reality,” Hagipantelis said on Sunday.
“I have spoken to both of them and they’ve acknowledge it wasn’t a good look. There was no intention on their part to show disrespect or a lack of unity. Russell suffers from an arthritic condition and had multiple surgeries in his foot to try and help him play again. Sitting there in the cold does affect him, that is true.
It continues a tough old week for the Tigers with the players at the struggling club’s reportedly confronting Maguire in a heated team meeting on Tuesday, claiming the roster felt as though they were “walking on eggshells”.
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