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While the NRL season is still yet to kick off, there has been plenty of drama and speculation in the media so far in 2015. Player signings, misbehaviour and all kinds of speculation has been the order of the day in 2015.
But while that may be nothing new for the NRL, there is one are which is considerably different in 2015 – and it concerns the identities of the clubs in question.
If you have been following the news recently, you would have heard about the turmoil being created by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles’ potential loss of their two key playmakers – Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans.
One could be forgiven for thinking that this is the first time that such a major poaching operation has taken place in the history of the Eagles’ club. It is not. In fact, not even close.
In recent times it was the Eagles poaching the Eels, the very club that threatens to prise Foran from their grasp now. Sure, in 2013 the Eels signed a little-known prop forward from the Eagles by the name of Darcy Lussick. This is an exception to the trend.
In recent times the Eagles have poached a number of players from the Eels’ first grade or junior sides, including Jamie Lyon, Tony Williams and Justin Horo.
Add to that the fact that the Eagles have previously poached the Eels talent identification scout, Noel Cleal, and are reportedly trying to lure away their coach Brad Arthur.
One can understand why the Eels have no reservations in recruiting Kieran Foran.
Will these players, who have made their names on the North Shore and won a premiership, leave the Eagles?
Foran and Cherry-Evans no doubt realise that rugby league is a business and, as such, I suspect that the past will have less to do with where the play-making duo end up.
It will be more about from whom they are able to secure the highest dollar figure for their playing services in 2015 and beyond.
It seems the tables are turning for the Eels and the Eagles, and it will be hard to tell just where the poaching will end.
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