Suli's departure to Dogs six months in the making
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The Wests Tigers know they could one day rue the decision to release Moses Suli, but the club didn't want to jeopardise the culture being developed under coach Ivan Cleary.
The decision by the Tigers to release Suli to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Wednesday didn't happen overnight. It's been six months in the making.
Based on talent alone, many will question how the Wests Tigers could justify parting ways with the teenage prodigy.
But this wasn't a decision based on talent. According to the Tigers, it was a decision based on the player's attitude. It was a decision based on a lack of regard for the selflessness and standards the team is trying to create.
They will not pay a cent of his future contract money as part of the release.
Since Suli suffered a season-ending ankle injury just 16 games into his rookie year, the club believed his motivation wavered.
Cleary and football manager Kelly Egan had several conversations with the teenager, trying to understand why he didn't appear interested in capitalising on his talent.
Club officials visited his family home. They spoke to his mother. They spoke to his brother. They offered to support him in a new environment away from the comfort of the family home.
They spoke with the Rugby League Players' Association and held several meetings with his manager, Mario Tartak.
The Tigers believe they did everything possible to avoid the events that have now unfolded.
He has put on almost 15 kilograms from last season and the coaching staff grew tired of not getting the same output that the rest of his teammates were contributing.
On one occasion, Suli arrived at training after being picked up by a teammate for a 7am session, only to enter the club's Concord headquarters at 10am having slept for three hours in the car.
Some wanted him gone before Christmas. Others wanted the club to persevere with him in the hope they could find the trigger that would ignite his career.
However, it never came.
The Bulldogs have been aware of the Tigers' frustration for some time. Their recruitment manager Warren McDonnell, when he was at the Wests Tigers, discovered Suli.
He's a big reason why Suli chose to join the Bulldogs in a revamped backline headlined by the shift of Moses Mbye to fullback.
The Dogs are hopeful a change of scenery will bring out the best in him.
They know they have signed a player capable of special things, and they will hope he can fulfil his enormous potential.
