“When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” Harry Burns (as played by Billy Crystal), When Harry met Sally.
While this quote from the late 1980s rom-com is about being in a relationship, playing for an NRL club is very much like being in a marriage.
At the same time as Jai Arrow’s engagement to the Rabbitohs has been announced, his marriage with the Gold Coast Titans has come to an end. All that is being decided now is when he actually leaves.
While reports say Arrow’s move to Redfern is imminent, the Titans will only release him to South Sydney immediately if they get enough in return.
So what we are now seeing play out is the negotiation process. Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson is clear that his club is trying to get Arrow to Redfern ASAP, while coach Justin Holbrook’s language conveys that the Titans are open to a deal but there has been no negotiation to this point.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk around … From my point of view I’ve got Jai here for this season and that’s what I’m planning on. And if anything happens elsewhere I don’t know that at this stage. We haven’t had any specific player been mentioned to us.”
The key thing that Holbrook has said, however, is this:
“We’re not just going to let him go.”
So the ball is now in the Rabbitohs’ court. They’ve got to put together a deal that will get the Titans to agree to release Arrow immediately. The names of Dane Gagai and Alex Johnston have been bandied around as possible bait. However, those players also have to agree to the deal, adding further complexity.
But, even with some compensation, why would a struggling club like the Titans agree to release a player of the high calibre of Arrow?
It’s simple, really. While Jai Arrow’s relationship with the Titans is clearly not dreadful, he has made the decision to go to the Rabbitohs on a four-year deal. So – in relationship terms – he is breaking up with the Gold Coast club to take up with his new flame.
Arrow has effectively delivered the awful break-up talk to Titans coach Justin Holbrook and chief executive Steve Mitchell: “It’s not you, it’s me”.
“I love you but I’m not in love with you.”
“You’re perfect in every way, just not for me.”
No-one wants to hear these sort of platitudes, especially when they were really invested in the relationship.
But that’s life, especially if you’re a club like the Titans. It is going to be harder for them to keep star players, especially with the season they just had. They’ve heard it all before.
The problem is that while everyone knows Jai is dumping Justin to move in with Wayne, right now he’s still going to be sleeping on Gold Coast’s couch for the 2020 season.
That is far from an ideal situation.
While both parties are saying all the right things – with Titans CEO Mitchell saying, “Right now our focus is totally on the season ahead, and having Jai playing a significant role in a successful season for the Titans,” and Arrow stating, “I am pleased to finally have my future settled, and can now continue preseason training fully focused on delivering a successful season for Titans Members and fans in 2020” – the reality is they’ve broken up. Even if it doesn’t get ugly, it isn’t going to be fun.
And it probably will get ugly.
Just like it is always best to rip the band-aid right off, once a relationship has ended it is best for both parties to go their separate ways.
I believe the appropriate Zen proverb is “let go or be dragged”.
Sometimes that means letting go of something you really wanted in order to steady the ship.
When Ivan Cleary started his tenure at Wests Tigers in 2017, it was during the club’s efforts to retain Mitch Moses, James Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Luke Brooks. Cleary stated that he wanted to establish ASAP who was “on the bus” – in simpler terms, who actually wanted to stay on the team.
His feeling was that, regardless of how good the player was, if they weren’t going to buy into him and where he was taking the club, he’d prefer that they weren’t there at all. Moses was duly released from the club in May of that year.
While Tedesco and Woods played out the season in spite of signing elsewhere, the Tigers’ results for the season spoke of club disunity as they finished 14th with just seven wins. In 2018, with what looked like a much weaker roster, they won 12 matches and just missed the finals.
You can guarantee the Titans will know that – like Tedesco, Woods, Angus Crichton and Anthony Milford did for their previous clubs – Jai Arrow is a professional and will do his best for them while he is there.
(Tony Feder/Getty Images)
However, they’ll all know he’s going. There is no love anymore. It’s purely business and his teammates will know it.
They know they’ll be playing next to a bloke who doesn’t want to be there anymore. As much as Craig Bellamy has done his best to counter it, rugby league isn’t played by machines or robots. It is played by humans with human emotions. Players want to have teammates who are committed to the same team as they are. While the results are good it doesn’t matter as much. However, when they are bad – and the Titans have only won just over a quarter of their matches over the last three seasons – there will be friction. The only question is how much.
This friction could really come to a head if the soon-to-depart player plays well at representative level but is seen to be putting in lesser performances for the club.
Sure, if you were a club that might possibly challenge for the premiership this season, keeping the likes of Arrow around could be worthwhile.
However, if you are a club like the Titans that is clearly in – let’s be polite now – rebuild mode, it makes far more sense to be starting that process with players who are committed to the club. Or at least not committed elsewhere.
All that has to happen now is for the Rabbitohs to come to the party and give the Titans a deal that doesn’t make them a complete bitch.
Over to you, Shane.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
I get it mate but reality dictates the reasons behind the medical retirements were genuine and passed muster. Contrary to popular belief we aren’t treated preferentially to any other club. If there was any favouritism it would’ve been player related not club, i.e 2 bona fide absolute legends of the sport accorded a touch of leniency for services rendered. The rule is there to protect the game and it has been applied quite evenly. So let’s not sweep the process under the carpet and please stop banging on about it. Can you imagine the kind of legal action the NRL would face if it was a stitch up or extreme due diligence wasn’t followed, not to mention the fraud by the independent doctors involved. It’s just not plausible to think it’s anything other than legitimate reasoning from medical for which neither GI or Sam need to disclose. Like I said the earth is round, we don’t live in a Truman show, please let’s move on!!
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Gagai to the Storm with Souths paying part salary? Our centres this year are definitely capable but not superstars. A playmaking 6 or 7 would be awesome but I don't think the Bunnies have anything to offer there. Gagai may be interested in playing under Bellamy.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Tim, The key to Arrow leaving the Titans and joining Souths is the Storm. The Titans have signed big Tino from the Storm for 2021 and the Titans would need him to turn up 12 months early so Arrow can go. The only way that will happen is for Souths to compensate the Storm. Unlikely.
Jacks
Roar Guru
I have no doubt they both would prefer to still be playing then having to be medically retired but I don't think that means that their salaries should have been wiped by the NRL. Why should 15 other clubs be disadvantaged and 1 rewarded when that one club were the ones who put them self in a really bad position through poor cap management?
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Mitchell agrees to terms with Souths – but Roosters want money back By Andrew Webster January 10, 2020 — 12.01am Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell has finally agreed to terms with South Sydney, who are confident he will be at Redfern on Monday morning for his first training session. The contract is yet to be officially signed, however, and also needs to be ratified by the NRL salary cap auditor. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/mitchell-agrees-to-terms-with-souths-but-roosters-want-money-back-20200109-p53q6c.html
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Report: Latrell Mitchell deal with South Sydney is imminent January 10, 20209:28am NRL star Latrell Mitchell will reportedly leave the Roosters and play for South Sydney in 2020, ending speculation about his future. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Mitchell has “agreed to terms” with the Rabbitohs and may be at pre-season training as early as Monday. https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/report-latrell-mitchell-deal-with-south-sydney-is-imminent/news-story/af483c9be2af316770371ece0aefdf85
Insider
Roar Rookie
Souths are an empty vessel, it’s clear the priority is short term. 2020 will expose the weaknesses across there side and the outdated Wayne strategy
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Sigh
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Homegrown talent? Rabbitohs don't have any juniors. I'd be surprised if any of their top 30 is a junior.
Nambawan
Roar Rookie
Arrow himself has stated that he is looking forward to the upcoming season with the Titans. I have not seen any substantial evidence so far to doubt his sincerity. There is no way that a replacement forward equivalent to Arrow will be available. Therefore the Titans would be more than justified to refuse to allow their season to be stuffed by another predatory club before a ball has been kicked and they should remain firm.
mushi
Roar Guru
By that rationale college sport in the US would have no probable draft picks playing
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Mate there is no big conspiracy here. For Pete’s sake you blokes banging on about GI & Sam when both would sell their soul to be in pre-season and healthy right now. We didn’t make it up mate, nothing to see here so please move on. The earth is round as well..
Jacks
Roar Guru
Yeah the space came from two legends of the game being medically retired when its very questionable if they should have been and that in turn has put the likes of the Titans at a disadvantage.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
And now I’m going to throw Damian Cook at ya. Our spine plus lock of Cook, Reynolds, Walker, Johnstone and Murray are all rabbits through and through...developed, nurtured or given their shot by us. Ring the bell Bobby we got em on the hop!!
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Both Roberts and Sua weren’t even playing first grade when we picked them up so they absolutely came cheap with no doubt broncs kicking in to the kitty. Liam knight, Cam Murray not on top dollar yet despite an amazing year, Ethan Lowe (out of reserve grade), Sua (as above) Nichols, Tavita with Sam, George & Sutto all leaving. In the backline we have developing players such as Graham, Burns, Doueihi and Allan all playing majority of season with GI leaving. Really isn’t rocket science where the space is, in fact they would be keeping some in the safe to upgrade Murray and still have some cash to throw around. Stop throwing rocks like we are the Roosters, Storm, Broncs or Manly signing up our 5th or 6th star international.. just not the case at all. We develop most of our players, in fact our entire backline Except Gagai made their nrl debut with the rabbits with many more lining up. Don’t hate bro, we are the epitome of balancing homegrown talent with astute marquee signings. Glory glory brethren!!!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Claytons premiers" mushi. They don't count because the chooks have been over the salary cap since 2013. Those premierships and minor premierships have been wiped from the record books by Papi.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Rabbitohs losses: John Sutton, Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess (retired); George Burgess (Wigan), Dean Britt (Bulldogs), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Kyle Turner, Billy Brittain, Jacob Gagan, Mawene Hiroti (unsigned) Gains: Bryson Goodwin (Warrington), Troy Dargan (Broncos), Steven Marsters (Dragons), Edene Gebbie (Wynnum Manly), Joshua Cook, Dean Hawkins, Keaon Kolomatangi, Ky Rodwell (upgraded from development contracts) * James Roberts and Jaydn SuA from 2019
Big Daddy
Guest
Blake might have the words CEO beside his name but we all know who runs the show. If Richo says his main priority is getting Arrow to them this year he will use every trick in the book to accomplish that.
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
Hoi, there’s no room on a sports site for fire stuff (sadly there’s no “tongue in cheek” emoji)... :happy:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But again, as for the comment that there's no incentive for him to play his best. Nah, there's 150,000 incentives to. $90,000 up to Origin. Then at least another $60,000 up to the end of the season. And that's if they don't add any tests against France or any other nations to the tour, and there are no match payments for tour games.