Manly warhorse Matt Ballin has slammed reports he'll be the next senior player to leave the Club today, as the media speculation continues to rain down at the club's Narrabeen Headquarters.
The usually mild-mannered Ballin was noticbly disppointed in reports that he was being shown the door by his one-and-only Club, the 196-game veteran actually indicated both his and the Club's desire for him to remain.
"As far as I know, the story was a beat up. I don't know who started it but I don't think it's a very reputable thing to do by the person responsible," Ballin said.
"I spoke to Joe Kelly not long after the story came out and he assured me that it wasn't right.
"It's sad to see these things come out. Fair enough, there's going to be talk about players futures but there's no due diligence done, there's no responsibility taken.
"Accountability should be taken by those people who write those stories that aren't true so I just think it's ridiculous."
Don't miss our #Back2Brookie clash this Saturday Night vs Melbourne Storm
Ballin refused to speculate on the source of the rumour.
"Obviously something's going on behind the scenes and people have an agenda," he said.
"I don't know who it is and I can't say who it is because it wouldn't be responsible of me to say.
"But I think people that put things in papers should be accountable for what's in there and they should have a solid source."
Ballin says he's getting closer to putting pen to paper on a new deal with the Sea Eagles that will deservedly allow him to finish his career as having only represented the maroon and white of Manly.
"I've been in negotiations with Manly for quite some time and it's going really well," he said.
"These things take time but I'm really happy with the progress that's been made and I think the club's happy, it's just down to the fine details."
Ballin also encouraged all Members and fans to put last week's performance and media hype to the side and come down to cheer on the team in their #Back2Brookie clash against arch-rivals, the Melbourne Storm.
"I can't wait. Being back at Brookie is always exciting," he said.
"We're very proud of our home ground and we want to do our best at home and away, but especially at home. We want it to be the fortres this year and get back to the old ways."
Get your tickets to our #Back2Brookie clash here
