NRL silly season ramped up this week, with Ryan Matterson signing with the Eels, while Latrell Mitchell has gone from the game’s hottest commodity to the kid apparently no-one wants.
The mail is that each player was after more money – Matterson has got it, and while Latrell’s million-dollar dream is in jeopardy for next year, that’s mainly because most clubs figured he’d be on the open market in 2021.
It may be another year off, but the Australian centre and two-time premiership winner will get a fat payday soon enough.
However, in both of their attempts to bump their worth, I wonder if they’ve actually cost themselves money.
Since taking on the role of NSW coach, Brad Fittler has been crystal clear to Blues players – whether they be incumbent or potential – to leave contract dramas at the door.
Now, there were some reports that Matterson’s problems at Wests Tigers stemmed from a personality clash with coach Michael Maguire.
(AAP Image/Steve Christo)
But retired Tiger Robbie Farah shone what many believe to be a more accurate light on Matterson’s issue.
“The thing is, he thinks he’s worth more,” Farah told an NRL.com podcast.
“He came to us as a bench backrower and he had a great season. He shouldn’t be upset with the Tigers. If there is anyone he should be upset with it’s his manager.”
His deal with the Tigers was reported to be $400,000 a year, while his three-year contract with Parra is said to be worth a total of $1.5 million – so an extra 100 grand a year.
Now, that’s obviously nothing to sneeze at, but it’s also roughly the amount of money Matterson would have made if he became an Origin regular.
And we know Fittler wasn’t expelling hot air when he spoke to the Cockroaches about contract dramas.
Ahead of the 2019 series, Fittler told the Sydney Morning Herald he had phoned Mitchell to discuss his reported ongoing issues with his future at the Roosters.
“He has looked distracted at different times,” Fittler said. “I just encouraged him to get that stuff sorted. Get your manager stuff sorted. We don’t want to be dealing with that. That’s across the park, with everyone.”
Mitchell proceeded to turn in an underwhelming display in Origin 1, and while Fittler said he’d cut the kid a break – “He’s a superstar, he’s coming off a huge year, he’s a young bloke so I can cut him some slack,” Freddy told reporters – Latrell was dropped for the rest of the series.
Then there was the Kangaroos’ loss to Tonga last week, the aftermath of which saw Fittler on Channel Nine savaging the men in green and gold, suggesting some may no longer deserve their spots.
“If Mal [Meninga] is fair dinkum, he is looking at that game thinking, ‘We might need a few new players here,’ because I thought some of their efforts were terrible,” he said.
Guess who was then mentioned specifically?
“Latrell Mitchell came up with some bad errors and some really soft options.”
We can probably say Mitchell and Fittler are off each other’s Christmas card lists. I honestly wonder how Fittler can pick the Taree tearaway for the Blues after dropping him and publicly pulling him apart – and not for the first time on the latter count.
So, Trell, you’re in all likelihood down the three $30,000 match payments that come from playing Origin.
And while he had designs on joining the two-comma club, with no-one willing to come to the party on a seven-figure deal and Nick Politis rescinding the Bondi club’s $800,000 a year offer, he’s probably simply now hoping to save face and get $900K.
Which is about what he would have got if he’d stayed at the Tricolours, refound his form as the best centre in the game and regained his place in the Origin arena.
(Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
As for Matterson, he kicked stones at training until he was allowed to walk away from what was an entirely reasonable deal at the Tigers so he could make more money at the Eels.
Doesn’t matter if that’s not what actually happened. Perception is reality and that’s the perception of Matterson.
And it’s not a perception that gels with Brad Fittler’s Origin side.
So, again, Matterson’s made 100 grand while probably costing himself a spot in a series that could have earnt that same(ish) amount.
Now, I know there are no guarantees in footy, with form and fitness meaning Mitchell and Matterson could make hundreds of thousands of dollars playing Origin footy or they could never play a rep game again.
What’s more, I’m all for players making as much money as they can in their short careers – a few months ago I told Latrell to take the money and run.
In that piece, I outlined that Origin players don’t get smaller match payments if they get better club contracts and concluded by saying, “The only thing a player can be sure of is the number on his contract stating what will end up in his bank account”.
And if at the end of your career we’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars’ difference in earnings, sure, you do what’s right for you.
Sorry, what’s right for you and your family.
But if the difference in your pay packet is more or less going to be the amount you would have made by playing Origin, and your state coach has said he won’t select players who carry on like a Christmas ham at contract time, maybe… don’t carry on like a Christmas ham at contract time?
steveng
Roar Rookie
HaHaaa which hole did you crop out of??? It surely wasn't a wabbit hole! lol
steveng
Roar Rookie
We don't need Mitchell, he looks like trouble, anyway, we have the next "Semi Radradra" lol "Edene Gebbie" what a player he is and will be! The Bunnies have recruited well for 2020 and the future and look out 2020 as 'here come the Bunnies'!!!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I'm not across the details but are you saying he didn't go to the Tigers partly because of a bigger contract? Nothing wrong with that of course but I would imagine winning a title coming off the bench is much more fun than limping in to 9th spot if the money was the same.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
He won't be 1/2 the player at the Bunnies unless you have a half as good a Keary there, Which they don't, It's Keary's great passing game that gives him good early ball and his running game that draws defenders off Latrell that gives him alot of opportunities.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
You can't complain your team has stated now for half a season that they have no interest in signing Latrell, If this is so then they have nothing to complain about.... But if they have been in his ear all along ( More then likely ) which they were not allowed to do anyway before Nov 1 why should they benefit in breaking the rules.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
He left the Roosters because he didn't see himself a full time bench player which is what he pretty much was at the Roosters, The only times he started was injury cover. He then went to the Tigers for a starting position. I have no idea what went on over at the Tigers but whilst he was at the Roosters he didn't have a Prima Donna attitude at all and was a team player other than when he first came to the Roosters and wanted to be a half instead of a forward, Once that was sorted he was fine.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Jarryd Hayne? Was still contracted to Parramatta for 1 more year when he went to the NFL. There was a block buster offer on the table to extend him right out when he was in the peak of his career but was willing to take a massive pay cut to chase the NFL. Parramatta let him go but could have made him stay and finish out the contract.
RudyZarzoff
Guest
Such great hits such as ... Bunny’s for nothing ?... Dire straits. Bad Rabbits... Billy Field Tupelo Bunny ..., Van Morrison Bunny bunny bunny .... ABBA What s great night of kareoke that would be .
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The reverse would be if Matterson is playing poorly at the Eels and not worth half a million. The club says they don't want him anymore and he signs a reduced contract at another club despite having two years to go at the Eels. Maybe it has happened but I can't recall it. Typically the club still has to pay for part of his contract to play elsewhere. The clubs run the risk of losing out either way. Recruit a star who fades and the clubs cop it but cleverly recruit a mid range player who shines and the club can cop it. If the player goes to a club because he likes the coach , he needs a clause in his contract to this effect and not use that as an excuse when a carrot is dangled in front of his beak.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
It works exactly the same way in reverse. If a club wants a player to see out his contract they don’t have to let them go. They just don’t want them kicking stones so they let them go.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
If he goes to the Pennies in 21 , he gets Nathan and IVAN.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Clubs might well "shop around" a player, but the player has the right to stay and see out the contract, they cant just be moved on (see: G Eastwood). Seems its only the players who can break contracts. Regardless of the details, its hard to argue that Matterson has emerged from this with his reputation intact.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t think I could stand it...ever since 2014 that song has made me feel unwell... :stoked:
Chris Love
Roar Guru
A deal that he signed with Nathan Cleary as coach. In the meantime he’s watching big dollar team mates shopped around to other clubs. What about that scenario spells any player should be loyal to that club?
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Did he though? The first one yes. The second one, he was a vastly improved second rower who the Roosters couldn’t come close to his market value after spending huge dollars to poach from the Rabbits. The third one is all on the here say of a Robbie Farah. He signed with Nathan Cleary and got Madge. I’m surprised more haven’t walked. End of the day, based off this years form alone, 500k is a very astute buy for Parramatta. He’s still young.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah, that should have been signing lol don’t know what happened there? But anyway, Latrell will be also singing ‘glory glory’ with us Bunnies in 2021, you just wait!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I for one want to hear Latrell sing with the bunnies... :stoked:
steveng
Roar Rookie
Not as far as the Bunnies are concerned? As those rotters have a condition of release on Latrell's contract "he can leave one year earlier, without a penalty' as long as he doesn't sign with the Bunnies, can you believe that? This is the vitriol and hatred that is building in the NRL (and it will get worse) as the administrators are to blame for allowing contracts to not be worth 'the paper that they are written on'.
steveng
Roar Rookie
What? "Latrell Mitchell has gone from the game’s hottest commodity to the kid apparently no-one wants" that's a bit harsh, as the Bunnies want him and that is where Latrell belongs but and of course, the "Rotters" have a condition (shock horror and not surprising!) that Latrell will be released 'Early" from his contract on one "Condition" that he does not sing with the Bunnies, if he does he won't be released from his contract! Can you believe that? Never mind, keep hanging in there for one more year Latrell, we will sing you in 2021, you belong at the Bunnies! Its just unhealable what hatred there is between these two clubs, I've been a Bunnies 'die hard' for 60years+ but, the hatred that has been projected in the last decade (which is media inflated also) is the most viscous that I've ever seen or experience! This is very wrong as those chooks wouldn't be where they are without the signings that they have had over the years from the Bunnies!
mushi
Roar Guru
Could people trading certainty for uncertainty have cost themselves money... um yes.