Holmes’ manager rejects claim he did dirty on Sharks
COWBOYS superstar Valentine Holmes has revealed the desire to be a fullback played a role in his departure from the Sharks, as his management blasted claims Cronulla were blindsided by his move to the NFL.
Holmes will tonight face his former teammates for the first time since his defection, with Cronulla forward Wade Graham igniting tensions by accusing the Cowboys recruit of leaving the Sharks in the lurch.
NSW Origin representative Graham also lashed Holmes’s management, saying they had failed him by refusing to be “upfront” about his planned move to America to chase an NFL contract.
But ahead of tonight’s clash in Townsville at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the Holmes camp set the record straight on why the Maroons ace left the Sharks, including a clash of beliefs with then coach Shane Flanagan.
Holmes was determined to be a fully-fledged fullback but many insiders at the Sharks, including Flanagan, felt the Test flyer needed time on the wing to develop his play in the backfield. The 24-yearold played 63 of his 105 games for the Sharks on the wing.
While Holmes insists he has no personal issue with Graham or other Sharks players, he is content with his move north, saying the lure of being a full-time fullback at the Cowboys proved decisive.
“The truth is I feel like I’m a better fullback than a winger,” Holmes said as he prepares to terrorise Graham and the Sharks tonight.
“In 2017, I just started at fullback and things didn’t go the way I wanted. I went to the wing and felt I was playing well enough to be the fullback.
“In rep teams, I have played well on the wing outside a guy like Greg Inglis, so that’s why people see me as a winger.
“But in my eyes I prefer fullback and I think I have the game to do well in that position.”
Asked about his shock exit from Cronulla, Holmes said: “It was
TOWNSVILLE Bulletin sports editor or
asks the burning ng questions ahead of tonight’s grudge ge match between the Cowboys and nd Cronulla.
It is the story of the clash and it was always going to be from the he moment Holmes inked a six-year ar deal at the Cowboys.
Holmes walked out of his deal eal at the Sharks to chase an NFL FL definitely hard to leave. I remember when I left, it was emotional and sad. I won my first premiership there (in 2016) and made lifelong friends at the club.
“They helped me become the person I am today. It was hard to go but it came down to a number of factors.
“I wanted more in my sporting career and I wanted to experience other things in life while I was still young enough.
“I don’t regret any decisions I made. There was no bad blood with the Sharks. Legally, there was contract talks (to chase his NFL dream) and I couldn’t tell the boys too much because there were no guarantees I might get over there.
“I actually did consider coming back to the Sharks, but to come back to my hometown made sense. My wife and I both have family here and she has a business up here, and to come back here to allow her to be near her family as well worked out for both of us.”
Holmes’s manager Chris Orr scoffed at suggestions he deceived the Sharks.
“People have absolutely no idea what conversations actually took place,” said Orr, of PSM.
“It’s rubbish that we weren’t transparent with the Sharks.
“I was honest with the CEO (Barry Russell). He handled the matter professionally. We didn’t play games and say we will retire from the NRL. We presented what Val would like to do and they could have said no as he was under contract.
“In the past some have seen Val as a winger. Thankfully for Val, Paul Green (Cowboys coach) agrees he is a fullback and has him in the Cowboys No. 1 jersey.”
Holmes was outstanding in last week’s 36-6 thumping of the Titans and he is bracing for the Sharks to sledge him.
“There is always a bit of extra feeling when you leave your old team and I want to get the win against them,” he said.
“They will want to put me under pressure and play well.
“They will be throwing some chat at me but that’s OK, I’m up for it.”
dream dr that ended after a year. It has always left a sour taste ta in the mouths of his former teammates and Sharks legend leg Paul Gallen has never been afraid to let Holmes know kn about it.
Now is the chance for the Sharks to let him know on the th field.
Holmes showed a little bit of rust in his first two games ba back in the NRL, but looked much more polished against th the Titans last week.
But the Gold Coast side barely put him under any press sure and he can’t expect the same from the Sharks.
Wade Graham (left) and his men will be out to send a message to their former mate, but they can rest assured Holmes will have his own response prepared.