KEY POINTS:
George Gatis isn't overly anxious to place himself in the National Rugby League's (NRL) shop window after learning he is unwanted by the New Zealand Warriors -- he's just as happy behind the counter.
The hooker was philosophical after being named as one of three Australians who won't have their contracts renewed for 2008, taking the decision with the good grace of Todd Byrne and Tony Martin.
While Byrne and Martin may eye England as a future destination, Gatis, the 28-year-old son of a Greek fishmonger, admitted he'd be just as happy positioning himself behind the fryer inside the family business in Townsville.
His reluctance to commit to any more than a one-year deal since the Warriors salvaged his career in 2005 prompted a predictable outcome last weekend.
"I pretty much expected it, I thought they might try and secure somebody long term," he said before the Warriors headed across the Tasman for a two-match road trip against the Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys.
"I'm not a long-term proposition for the club, I take football on a year to year basis.
"They wanted a young guy they can keep around the club for the next three-four years and they've done that."
The signing of Scottish-born Bradford Bulls hooker Ian Henderson dovetailed with Gatis' demise and far from spit the dummy the dummy half is determined to make his last few months at Mt Smart Stadium memorable.
"I've taken the attitude of concentrating on my job here. I want to play semifinal football and after that whatever's meant to be is meant to be.
"I've got access to a Greek passport, I can play in England if an opportunity presents itself, but if my Dad says he needs me home, I'll go home.
"I've got no problems with that. I'm luckier than some other players in that I've been through a career ending moment and I've pretty established myself a life after football."
Gatis was conditioned to the setbacks of life as a professional footballer four years ago.
After making his debut for the Cowboys in 2001 he suffered one injury blow after another for his home town club.
"It was a writeoff in 2003. I broke my arm then came back and did my knee. I played one game that season, none in 2004."
In 2005 he was playing park footy in Townsville when he was surprisingly offered a gig in Auckland for the following season.
"I'll always be grateful for the club giving me an opportunity. I had three years out of the NRL, they showed a lot of faith in me."
Gatis, who made 17 appearances last year, is continuing to repay that debt in his swansong by sharing the dummy half role with compatriot Nathan Fien.
He had a hand in four of the Warriors' nine tries against Penrith last Friday and was enjoying starting, a role he believes suits his game.
"I play my best football when I am left on the field for a bit of time, I don't feel the pressure to come out and try do something special in a short amount of time.
"My style is not to be a superstar, just to make the middle nice and tight, give good service and take the right options when they are available."
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary will hope the Gatis-Fien combination can make similar inroads at Carrara Stadium on Saturday night against a fourth-placed Titans' outfit on a four-match winning streak.
The Warriors, 10th on the ladder after successive wins over Cronulla and the Panthers, must address a poor away record that features just two wins in six attempts.
Gatis warned nothing could be taken for granted given the closeness of the competition.
"The (Wests) Tigers lost six on the trot, Penrith won the premiership (in 2003), now they're struggling.
"I don't think we've been too far off. We're not that far away from doing something special."
- NZPA
