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St George Illawarra Dragons second rower Tariq Sims detailed the “devastating” meetings he has had with the club, as his future in the NRL hangs in the balance.
The 31-year-old recently began talks with the Dragons over a possible contract extension for 2023 and beyond, but has been told he is not in their future plans.
The club have now also told him that if he were to find a long-term deal at a rival club for 2022, he would be free to move on despite having a year to run on his current contract.
Anthony Griffin confirmed the news following the round 25 loss to the Rabbitohs, but said he was not sure where things were going with regards to the Sims’ future.
Talk to Nine News Monday night, the executor of the NSW Blues detailed the two meetings he had with the Red V.
“We had a meeting twice to see where their heads were and where they see me in the Dragons,” he said.
“On both occasions we found out that there was no bid for 23 – it was obviously devastating for me.
“The second time around, we found out that if I were to find and make a longer term deal elsewhere for 22 and beyond, they wouldn’t stand in my way.”
The Sims have had a brilliant State of Origin campaign this year, but haven’t been able to recreate that form at club level consistently in recent years.
Asked about his contract demands for 2023 and beyond, Sims revealed that negotiations never even got off the ground.
“Conversations with the Dragons haven’t even reached this stage, negotiating the length of agreements or financial situations,” he said.
“The conversations we had were quite short and to the point.”
Sims is a local junior from Illawarra, but didn’t start his NRL journey with the club until 2016, after stints with the Cowboys and Knights.
He admitted he was upset to hear the news and thinks he still has a lot to offer in first grade.
“I was upset at first – unfortunately sometimes it’s football,” he said.
“I am very passionate about my club, I love the Dragons. The Red V has obviously been involved in my family for quite some time.
“I still feel like I have two very good years left and beyond.”
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