SAM STONE is ready for boos ringing in his ears after ‘downing tools’ at Salford.
But the Warrington man admits he is disappointed at being cast as the villain for doing the ‘right thing.’
TheAustralian forward will be the target of angry fans when he returns to the Red Devils after boss Paul Rowley told how he quit ahead of a move after months of uncertainty over wages and what was happening.
While not denying he did, he is now in a better space than wondering if he would get paid on time or even if the club would survive.
And he believes that when people take a deep breath, things may be portrayed differently.
Back rower Stone, 27, technically on loan, said: “I spoke to Paul about possibly having this move and he kind of said that he would talk and see what they could get done.
“For me, I kind of just felt it was the right thing to do and it was a tough one.
“I was very 50-50 on it and it’s just kind of the way it ended up playing out. I thought the move was the right thing to do. I don’t know how to put it.
“I didn’t really understand the severity of the situation until I think it was maybe round two when we didn’t get paid. That’s when I first realised we had a bit of an actual issue.
“It was not an enjoyable process for me but I was a little bit disappointed with how that all came out.
“I think if some people had their time again, they might have said it a little bit differently but I’ve got nothing but respect for everyone that’s suffered and I wish them nothing but the best.”;
Stone was part of a Red Devils playing group that met owners Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown – and was not told what it wanted to hear.
Even if things come good, people in that room will not forget what came out of their mouths.
Above all, though, is a feeling of what might have been down the A57 at his now former club.
Stone added: “They spoke to the whole group, they spoke to all players and staff.
“It was probably the opposite of what I was expecting to hear, but it’s hard to say what’s going on behind the scenes there because we never really understood what was going on and we weren’t really informed too much.
“I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I don’t think anyone within the club really understands it either.
“We didn’t really have much of an idea, or at least I didn’t know what was going on. It was just trying to go about your job as well as you could and then you’d get updates along the way where it was all up to.
“But it is a pressure relief to not have to worry about that sort of stuff and just move ahead and concentrate on the games of rugby.
“I feel for the boys in that situation. I’m sure everyone’s asking that question and there’s those conversations within the families that are going on because it’s people’s livelihoods.
“At the start of the year, before all that started, we were all excited at Salford to build on a pretty good season and that’s what we all were signing up for and striving for a common goal, to go and try and win some trophies
“The most disappointing part for me was what was once a really tight-knit group of boys that were striving for winning trophies all got ripped apart and that’s not what everyone signed up for.”;
