NORTH Tamworth is appealing to the Country Rugby League in an effort to lure West Lions star Chris Hunt across the city.
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Hunt signed to play with Norths on Wednesday despite being under contract to West Lions for the 2007 season.
Hunt signed a letter of intent to play with Wests last year after being loaned money.
This year he also signed a NSWRL contract to play with the Lions as well as signing an old registration form to play in the Tamworth Sevens.
He reneged on his NSWRL contract on Wednesday to register with Norths.
West officials met with Group 4 and North Tamworth officials last weekend and were told by Group 4 officials Hunt was bound to play for the club this season unless released.
They were stunned this week when Norths turned around and signed him and were even more amazed yesterday when told Norths were appealing.
Group 4 secretary Ross Hamilton said Norths' appeal had been sent to the Country Rugby League's appeals board in Sydney.
He said the Group would deal with the matter after the appeal was heard in Sydney.
West Lions officials thought the matter had been decided last weekend when they met with Group 4 and North Tamworth officials.
However, they were stunned yesterday by the appeal developments despite having a signed NSWRL contract from Hunt.
They cited a case involving current Norths prop Peter Driscoll a few seasons ago when he signed with West after "signing a scrap paper" with an intent to play for Norths.
Driscoll was fined $1000 and made to stay with Norths.
Dungowan coach Mick Schmiedel is also disappointed by Norths' refusal to grant Nick Dobson a release to play with the Cowboys in the Group 4 Second Division.
West Lions coach Tony La Chiusa didn't want to comment about the situation other than to say he was saddened by the developments and amazed Norths were appealing.
"We bent over backwards for Chris last year," he said.
"We've gone through the right channels with the Group and in a meeting with Norths (coach Matt Parsons and football manager Pat Crowe).
"It's sad it has come to this when we should be concentrating on young kids like Jye Millgate.
"He's gone through a horrific and traumatic experience, lost his leg in an accident but then ... supported his former teammates on his birthday when he was in hospital.
"That's the sort of thing we should be talking about and helping support him through his problems."
