Ivan Cleary made the right decision to select Parramatta-bound Mitchell Moses in the Wests Tigers side to meet the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
It has nothing to do with the serious money on offer, or loyalty to the club that gave him the NRL start.
It’s the contract.
What’s the point of signing a contract that can be broken at the first hurdle?
Moses is contracted to the Tigers until the end of this season, and that’s where he must play, and not seek an early release to become an Eel.
Ben Hunt will see out his contract this season with the Broncos, before he becomes a Dragon in 2018. Jack Bird likewise with the Sharks before he becomes a Bronco.
There’s been no argument, nor discussion, by either player to leave early.
But there’s more to the Tigers-Dogs game on Sunday than just Mitchell Moses. And when it comes to contracts, there are some more fascinating decisions to be made.
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Will Cooper Cronk retire from the Storm to become a media guru out of Sydney, or will he delay those possibilities – which loom large – to play with either the Dogs or Tigers for a seven-figure-sum annual contract?
Rival skippers Aaron Woods and James Graham go head-to-head on Sunday in the Tigers-Dogs game, where they could well be playing for a direct switch.
James Tedesco will also be on duty in that game – will he remain a Tiger, or become a Rooster next season?
Unwanted Dog Josh Reynolds is another playing for his future, which is the most absurd decision of the lot. Nobody at Belmore could seriously think of axing this dyed-in-the-wool Bulldog. If there is someone, he or she has rocks in their head.
‘The Grub’ should be at Canterbuty for life, it’s as simple as that.
And that leaves Jarryd Hayne and Kieran Foran’s future yet to be decided – both are off contract at season’s end.
Hayne is a superstar, but not at the Titans. Think of him in the Parramatta backline with Corey Norman, Mitchell Moses, Semi Radradra, and Michael Jennings.
Now that would be something very special.
The loose cannon is Foran, who on his day is as good as anyone in the NRL. But there are far too many days between the dizzy heights.
His time at Manly was later scrutinised and then he left Parramatta under a cloud, with his career revived by the Warriors this season when no other club was interested.
Even before he had pulled on a Warriors jersey, he was linked with the Broncos and Bulldogs for next season. And when Cronk dropped the hand grenade he was leaving the Storm, Foran was linked there as a replacement.
What Foran has to do for the rest of the season is show loyalty to the Warriors for saving his career, and only then decide where he’ll play in 2018, with the Auckland-based club first cab off the rank.
In the meantime, this NRL season is looming as one of the best, with so many teams on a level playing field. And that’s the way it should be.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cleary didn't renege mate, both parties agreed to an early release after the warriors decided they couldn't guarantee him the same long term deal that Penrith could. If that's what your entire argument is based on you may need to have a rethink
Jacko
Guest
What are YOU on about....How much compensation did the Warriors get when Cleary reneged on his contract? And since you have proven you fail to understand writing I will use numbers for you ...0....Then they had to go thru the process of getting a new coach and sacking assistants that Cleary had wanted but the new coach didnt...It cost the Warriors thousands with 0 compensation... Also you can get sacked from a contract and get no pay from that point on...And you can get sacked on wages and get many months pay....Not everything is as simple as you want to believe
Gray-Hand
Guest
Either way, they fulfilled their obligations under the contract.
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
The Tigers did not 'axe' Potter. Potter completed his contract, which was not renewed. What I find hilarious is the way people cherry pick dates to make the Tigers appear as if they are continually axing coaches. Tim Sheens commenced coaching the WT in 2003. This means that In the past 15 years (including the current season), the WT have axed 2 coaches, which I suggest would compare favourably with most clubs.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Ponga and Knights/Cowboys.
Jacko
Guest
No they are not. He was paid out
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I do agree that a contract should be honoured but remember clubs can be just as bad as the players.
HarryT
Guest
I'm not worried about when they negotiate a deal andrew, but the new club shouldn't be allowed to have that player before his current contract is completed. Ben Hunt is an example of how the system should proceed with minimal distraction.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
There is one area where you can't really criticise the NRL admin about and thats upholding the integrity of the salary cap. I think they've been very good.
andrew
Guest
So what you want is a rule that says clubs can't negotiate with players who are not off contract. That means players off contract can only negotiate with other clubs at the end of the season. That means; *At some point in the seasons when the club tries to re-negotiate a deal, the player will say, no, i want to test the market - causing unrest and speculation for the majority of the season. *it will mean the player has about 6 weeks (before the following pre-season starts) to meet with other clubs, receive offers, negotiate back and fourth with various clubs, come to agreement and sign a deal - then (potentially) relocate, which means buying/selling houses, finding schools for kids etc. etc.. *It would mean all players moving clubs would have their contracts done in a six week window and the NRL would have to review and approve all of these contracts in that short window. The players wouldn't want it for these reasons (not to mention the risk of injury etc), so the players would fight it as a restraint of trade not to be able to sign a new contract when they wanted to and they would win. So you will find the players are far more in favour of being able to negotiate contracts for the future now, than the clubs. Don't feel sorry for the Tigers. They have already signed Chris McQueen for three years. It is just the Titans don't have off field drama that would make a player want to leave and move on with their career immediately.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Not opposed to player unions / associations at all, but I'd note that players are not employees in the strict sense, they are contractors, more like subbies engaged by a building company or actors on a film project. But that's not to say they are not vulnerable to exploitation. Hence the rise of player managers - makes me laugh to hear clubs complain about them, as if they didn't create the need for them. I do think the unions / associations have an important role in broader areas of player welfare, for eg post-career health support.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
:) practice makes perfect I guess
Mushi
Guest
Um they can definitely kick them out (release them) mid season so long as they pay the contract.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
andrew, before claiming somebody is simple minded it's probably best to comprehend the entire thread.
Emcie
Roar Guru
To be clear, i like the idea, i just have concerns about the nrls ability to implement good ideas
HarryT
Guest
True andrew, but he can ask for a release citing family/schools/illness etc, or just state he doesn't want to be there and perform poorly on and off the field. It just seems to me that Parramatta are encouraging this disruption by offering him money if he was to leave the Tigers early.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Shouldn't make too much difference.
andrew
Guest
He can't break his contract Harry! Is the NRL going to allow a club to offer a player under contract to another club more money to go play for them this year and sign off on that contract? Of course not!!
andrew
Guest
Eagle Jack/Simmo; These players you say "are shown the door mid-contract" are not forced to leave. They only leave when all parties agree. That includes the player. The player has to think there is a better opportunity for them, or more money, or a better fit for their family/lifestyle. If a club simply kicked a player out mid contract with no justification (ie a breach of contract by the player, like a discipline matter), they would be open to legal action. This isn't the NBA or NFL or a professional football league. Our players don't have to write in "no trade" clauses into contracts because they can not be traded/forced to go play anywhere. It is so frustrating, and sorry to be rude, but simple minded, when people just cling to the sensationlist headline, that the player is being hard done by in our leagues when professional athletes across the world would kill for the ability not to be traded.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Seems like it could get messy trying to integrate with the salary cap though...