Looking like George will be back in SL soon with the Raiders looking like they have spat the dummy out and released him immediately, even though he stated he was happy for it at the end of the season. Family comes first, and as a Wakefield fan I can’t wait to see him back on our shores, absolute fantastic player and has proved he can match it with the elite

Not sure that George withdrawing from training and from selection for this weekend's game reflects the Raiders spitting the dummy!

He text the Welfare Manager saying that his mental state was not right, he wouldn't train today and probably not right for Saturday. So they release him immediately - access to the welfare manager withdrawn. Nice look for the Raiders. Let's hope wherever he ends up - Warrington pretty dead set - that he finds some form, and rams all the negative stuff happening in Australia about this story now, right down their throats in the World Cup.

Although it probably won't impact things, but I would hope that players looking to go to Australia, see that players like Williams, Bateman etc. sometimes just can't wait to get home.

The way Canberra have hung him out to dry is a disgrace and I wish them every misfortune for the rest of the season.

Says the Aussie media

Hooper on NRL 360 getting info off his mate Stuart, Williams has tweeted putting them in there place.

It is interesting watching 360 especially with Kenty and Hooper having close connections with Ricky Stuart/Canberra. They are basically saying Williams should man up which to an extent i agree with. But from what i read Williams has said he will stay till the end of the season and Canberra have spat the dummy. I cant see us/Warrington getting him. Gold Coast would have to take Austin now or Widdop goes to Canberra/Cronulla which i wouldnt want to happen

It'll be interesting where he ends up.

I can't see many clubs having space on the cap for him this season, unless of course they do a bit of jiggery-pokery or maybe try and offload a big earner.

I'd expect he'll be back at Wigan next season, what with Hastings going home, but this year who knows, maybe Leeds?

Maybe his wife/partner could work in the Wigan shop, it used to pay really, really well



Seriously though, it will be great to have him back in SL, I was surprised that he's 26, as I thought he was still a "young lad".

Disgraceful treatment by Canberra.

Williams was ready to leave at the end of the season. dude asked for help as he was struggling with his mental health wellbeing and the club kicks him out the door and send out a statement which was not true at all.

I think the main reason for him wanting to come home is he’s will be becoming a father. Both he and the mother presumably and understandably want the support of family. He was happy to stay for the remainder of the season.

Canberra playing hardball is likely to be what has affected his mental state and led to what happened this week.

There's good maternity facilities in Wakefield

It is also co-incidental that 3 of the 4 biggest clubs in SL are all in desperate need for a half back either this season Leeds or next Wigan and Wire

He could almost name his price. Whilst a better bet than an untried aussie ( as in coming to SL). It is likely to have an affect on the transfer Merry go round and I can see a couple of the above teams having to let other players go for salary cap reasons.

Warrington could well need two with Austin already offered to other clubs and Widdop hoping to return to Aus.

100% signed for wigan

I don’t see how he could have signed for anyone as initially Canberra wouldn’t release him.

They were prepared to give him 3 months off end the season. That's a lot of time.

The raiders giving him his release is what he wanted he just didn't want it immediately.

The problem the Raiders had was if he doesn't want to train and play and wants to go end of the year then they probably saw it as why keep him?

They don't want to pay him if his not contributing and he clearly wanted out so I do see why canberra granted him the release.

Canberra is a weird destination for British players. It's not really the place you would go out of choice in Australia.

No sun, no beach etc etc.

Interesting that one journalist says his been told Williams agent was calling Sydney clubs letting them know he wanted to live in Sydney last year.

Canberra must be fuming. Two transfer fees paid to Wigan and both players gone home.

my heart bleeds for them

The Aussie media seems to think he said he wants leave at the end of the season, but doesn't want to play or train, but from what I've read, he's only said that he wouldn't be able to train and play this week, and not the whole season?

If he's said he won't be able to train or play for the rest of the season, I can understand why Canberra would release him now, but if he's only said he won't be available for this week, it seems harsh.

This is the club that had no problem with Josh Papalii having a couple of weeks off for no other reason than "I cba playing" yet spit their dummy out when Williams asks for the same.

It was to not train or play this week. Williams never said he was not gonna stop playing all year. Lots of his teammates have shown total support for his situation.

Regarding transfer fees. Canberra didn't want to wait till they were out of contract so I don't really feel sorry for them as that is the premium you have to pay if you want players early. Bateman and Williams both played well for Canberra when they were on the pitch.

Canberra easily got there money's worth even if both left earlier than expected

Transfer fees seem to blow Aussie clubs minds. It’s as though they think they’ve bought the person lock, stock and barrel. They’ve had their value for money not only on the two they’ve paid for but also on the likes of Sutton and Rushton, who they didn’t paid for.