Is it just me, or is everyone sick of players leaving because they’re not getting enough money? Recently, Mark Gasnier decided to go overseas because he was a million dollars out of pocket.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s almost one quarter of the salary cap.
Now I know that the million bucks wasn’t from the Saints, so it didn’t affect the salary cap. But really, that money shouldn’t be going to the players, rather it should be going towards advertising for the club, or junior development, or something.
I’m a Saints supporter, and I’m really upset that we’re losing Gaz. But I think it was totally stoppable.
We need some way of paying our superstars so that the level of football is kept high.
Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin suggested that we should be able to offer more money to a few superstars and it wouldn’t be included to the salary cap.
We may have to consider this otherwise we will lose all of our stars.
Manly’s superstar, ‘Beaver’ Menzies is also leaving. Whether or not it was because of the money I’m not sure, but I’d think it would have something to do with it.
The answer is simple: use sponsorship money for advertising, development, and whatever else that will keep the superstars coming through the ranks.
Love this article? Nominate it for The Roar’s Armchair Sports Writer Award. Or vote now for this week’s nominated articles.
George
Guest
Ray Warren , during Friday nights match between the Roosters and The Storm, told a really nice story of how 2 Tigers players visted a young man in Westmead hospital who had been badly injured in a motor vehicle accident. I thought for a moment that Mathew Johns had made a sensible comment for once, couldn't believe my ears when Johns said "Rabbs , that will be bring people back to the game" as soon as Rabbs had finished telling the nice story, but I should have known better, Johns was referring to a Storm player having his shorts pulled down during a tackle.
Steffy
Guest
"Rugby survived 100 years of poaching from league" Which league was that?
Justin
Guest
I'm confused with what you want. Money to go into junior development so that the superstars wont leave? How does that work? To keep the ones in their prime you need to PAY and PAY BIG. What else do they have to play for? The international travel to PNG? The older ones at the end of their career like Menzies have nothing to do with Gaz and SBW. Do you want Beaver playing with an A-frame? Surely he has paid his dues?
AllBlackfan
Guest
Welcome to our world, Flity. For 96 years, rugby in this country (and world over) lost some of its best and brightest to RL because of money. Now the shoe's on the other foot; now you can relate to our pain. Feels bad, doesn't it?
Longy
Guest
Zut alors, q'est que la problem mes amies? Rugby survived 100 years of poaching from league starting with Dally M. Can league survive 100 years of being poached??? We'll see.............................................. ps One good turn deserves another - have fun boys. Allez les bleu, c'est formidable!
LeftArmSpinner
Guest
guys like Beaver, Fitzgibbon, Hindmarsh, Tongue, etc add so much more than just playing skill. The market would regulate them and the time they remain in the game after being exempted from the salary cap.
Hoy
Guest
Some people have said things should be like Cricket Australia where the good ones are contracted to Cricket Australia itself. Perhaps the "superstars" could be contracted to the ARL as they get old and so stay seperate from the club's payroll. The club, say Manly, would apply to the ARL for someone like Beaver Menzies. Given his great record, he is a genuine ambassador for Rugby League, and the ARL would look to keep him in the game. He could be used as promotion etc by the ARL at certain events while still playing for his club. Not sure if that is a good idea or not, but a possibility. Seperate the superstars as they get a bit long in the tooth, and get the ARL to sign them on. They continue playing for the club they want, and are seperate from the salary cap. Just a thought.
LeftArmSpinner
Guest
Flity, great article. Your proposal would see the demise of some sydney based clubs but that would free up places for clubs from other areas. If they were all as well managed as the Titans, league will be stronger as a result.