St George Illawarra have accused a rival NRL club of tapping up Brett Morris, claiming the club has offered their Test winger a contract for next season despite Morris being contracted to the Dragons.
The Dragons released a statement on Tuesday after it was revealed that Morris had sought a release from the final year of his contract to join the Bulldogs for 2015.
While rival clubs are allowed to negotiate with Morris for the 2016 season, they are not able to entice him to break his contract a year early.
St George Illawarra did not refute claims that Morris had sought a release but insisted Morris had not been "offered to other clubs, nor have they suggested that he test his market value external to the Dragons".
"The club understands that there are no rules that prevent player managers from talking to other clubs about contracted players," the statement read. "The Dragons are aware that another club has offered Brett Morris more money than his contract sum at the Dragons for the 2015 season."
It is understood that rival club is Canterbury, which wishes to reunite Brett and Josh Morris. It is understood the Bulldogs are hopeful of luring Morris through a four-year deal worth about $600,000 from next year. Bulldogs officials would not comment about St George Illawarra's claims.
Dragons teammate Trent Merrin backed Morris to do what's best for him. "I've love to see him stay, it's home for him," Merrin said. "But at the end of the day it's his life and it's his choice, no one can control that. He's got to do what's best for him and his family.
"Definitely from a mate and player [perspective], it would be sad to see him go. But in saying that, you see it from the side that he's doing what's best for him.
"He debuted here, and whenever you talk about the Dragons, Brett is the first name to come out of people's mouths. It's definitely going to be sad if it ends up we have to see him go. Like everything, life moves on and you move on from it. It's like any job or life in general. If you're not happy with something, you've got to move on."
Salary cap constraints could force Morris and a host of other players out of the club. Merrin said it was something coach Paul McGregor had to do.
"It's not something he wants to do either, it's just the position he's been left with at the club," Merrin said. "I know him – the person he is, the last thing he'd want to do is see players who are the heart and soul of the club move on.
"It's just the position he's been left with at the club. It's something he has to do as the head coach."
Merrin and the rest of the Dragons squad met McGregor for a review into this year's season last week. Merrin described the meeting as "honest".
"He's got goals and it's exciting," Merrin said. "It's good to hear some positive things happening for the club. It's definitely something he's looking forward to and he wants to turn things around at the club. We'll all buy into it and happy days ahead."
