Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould AM has responded to media reports of playmaker Jamie Soward being "shopped around". On his personal Twitter account, Mr Gould posted the following:

"Six weeks ago I had [an] honest discussion with Jamie. He agreed he struggled in 2015 after several setbacks.

I advised that if he wasn't 100 per cent motivated to play, I prefer he retire to start a coaching career with the Panthers. Never at anytime did the Panthers offer Jamie to other clubs. Jamie may have considered a fresh start somewhere else.

Jamie has since apologised for 2015 and committed to giving 100 per cent for the Panthers next year. That's all we ask of any player. An in-form Jamie Soward is very important to us. He will do it."

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