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Contracts mean nought, but it could be a good thing

Ben Barba faces his old team as a Shark. Who are you tipping to win? (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
Roar Guru
19th November, 2014
22

In the past 48 hours we have seen Adam Blair, Dane Nielson and Gerard Beale shift clubs mid contract. In the past week Ben Barba also left the Broncos despite having two years left on his contract.

It’s becoming far easier in modern times to break contracts both on behalf of the player, or more recently the club.

There has been a fair amount of talk on social media about the validity or need for contracts in the modern day.

Although there’s plenty of players moving mid-contract, a contracted player cannot be released without a payout, nor can a contracted player just up and leave… unless you’re booked to fly to France.

I have absolutely no problem with a player leaving mid contract if it benefits both club and player, as I believe it has with the four players mentioned.

Ben Barba was told by incoming coach Wayne Bennett, who did not sign Barba to the club it must be noted, that he may be playing reserve grade in 2015.

Barba, a former Dally M medallist, would surely have been disappointed to hear this, as all good footballers want to play every game available.

The Sharks, armed with the money made available by Todd Carney’s release, needed a live wire to partner the steady Jeff Robson in the halves.

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By releasing Barba the Broncos free up cash that would have been tied up in a player who was told he was not a guaranteed first grader.

Win, win, win if you ask me.

Although, I definitely see a point in the resulting frustration from fans. If you have a player signed for four years, you have every right to expect said player to be at the club for at least four years.

I’d be interested to see how many Dragons fans bought memberships when they first came out with the expectation of Brett Morris being there.

It’s probably a silly example, as the move was rumoured to be on the cards for almost a year, but not every fan is on social media or reads the rumours in the paper.

So, do contracts mean as much as they use to? Short answer, no, but that could be a good thing.

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