The patient wait continues for a vaccine to counter the most subversive affliction known to mankind, with hopes high we’ll get one for coronavirus too.
Public pressure has re-emerged for a cure against dodgy rugby league player agents, with the wheelers-and-dealers again holding the entire game to ransom despite only agreeing to six per cent.
Despite a period of relative peace, the game has been forced to feverishly explore ways to inoculate itself against fabricated claims of player revolts and “doing what’s best for your family”, with mooted strategies including industry reform and cancelling agent accreditation, despite some having no credit whatsoever.
Once a vaccine is discovered, authorities have given assurances it will be rapidly allocated to society’s most vulnerable and infirm, such as the Wests Tigers or anywhere with a squanderable war chest.
Thanks chiefly to the spat between the joint venture and want-away forward Josh Aloiai, confidence in contracts has plummeted to five-year lows, with market analysts declaring their value could even be lower than the paper they are written on.
For those unaware, Aloiai has agitated for an early release to take up an increased offer with Manly by vowing to “never wear the jersey again”, which means he’s either sick of the Tigers, or the club’s fervent love of a change strip.
Josh Aloiai wants out of the Tigers. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
This saw club chairman Lee Hagipantelis fire back with threats to make the restless Aloiai mow the club’s lawns, which the 25-year-old joked about before realising this includes 15 home grounds across ten municipalities, and probably standard working hours.
However, Aloiai is reportedly refusing to budge, citing the Tigers’ generous workplace relations policy, which is known for entertaining contracts of service that pardon service, and employee protections against commitment and training too hard.
The role of the player agent has evolved over the years, with negotiating a fair wage and a few Tooheys ads making way for dicey third-party agreements and thunderous back-ended deals permitting their clients’ freedom to walk and/or blame Raelene Castle.
This has further morphed into concocting luxurious exit clauses, with the modern player commonly authorised to break a deal simply for better money, fullback money, or under-the-table money, or by simply being a jerk.
In defence of the industry, however, the majority of player agents aren’t subterranean shysters. Some are actually unaccredited recluses, while the rest are usually woefully under-qualified, as evidenced by Latrell Mitchell’s shrewd hard-balling by playing hard-to-get for less money.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Additionally, opting against an agent’s dishonesty and subterfuge has also been known to backfire, with loyalty costing Josh Mansour, and the lack of a manager leaving the public with stifling Joseph Suaalii fatigue.
Recent investigations by the NRL have seen crackdowns on the industry, with sanctions hung on prominent names like Gavin Orr and Isaac Moses after somehow growing to control more clubs than Justin Hemmes.
But despite early encouraging signs, the scourge has seemingly flared again with some no longer even bothering to falsely leverage “compassionate grounds”.
With no cure for over a century, society may need to comply with the new normal of back flips, blackmail, the loss of John Bateman and the subsequent validation of The Daily Telegraph, and all the other achievements that endear player agents to their industry.
Until a solution is discovered, clubs will remain under lockdown of the game’s official chairman of recruitment and retention, Phil Rothfield.
Brendan
Guest
How about if a player wants to go to another club while still on contract, we try this: 1) The new club must pay AT LEAST 50% more than the existing contract & the contract must be evenly spread over a minimum of 3 years 2) The player receives only 50% of that money for whatever period they are still under contract, with the other 50% going to the club they are leaving. So if a club wants to poach a player, they have to pay top dollar for them, but it's doable. If a player wants to leave mid-contract, they need to find a club prepared to pay top dollar & also be prepared to earn 25% LESS than they would on their existing contract. The club losing the player is still unlikely to be happy, but at least they'll have extra cash to compensate.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
i heard if the club sacks the player, then they cannot look to play for another club until that original contract would have expired. So about time these clubs used that threat to these players - honor your contract that you signed or you're sacked - no money for 2 years until your contract expires. So enjoy the dole or your lawn mowing gig. The game is bigger than these players and agents
kk
Roar Pro
Excellenza! I have come to connect Dane's best with memories a Sugar Ray Robinson. Every para finding its mark on the way to a knockout, inviting re- reads for the sheer joy of the opportunity for an insight into one of Australia's best. The fact that Dane majored in League (and cricket) is our good fortune. From 'fabricated claims of player revolts' to 'Orr- Moses- Hemmes' it is Robinson relentless. The concluding para is a ripper. Like lifting a sheet of rusting corrugated iron to reveal a waiting king brown. Apologies for late reply. Nursing duties, now in day 28 of scheduled 84 in action.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Great read Dane, as usual. The complexity of the conundrum contrives to consistently confuse the community. My solution is too serious for these pages :thumbup:
Big Daddy
Guest
Of all the vaccine's available one could be used for footballers who stray away from family life . In racing terms it's the ultimate gear change where they come out 2 stone lighter or the chemical vaccine where no operation is required. I'm sure Dr Eldridge will work something out. We could call it the off season vaccine.
Kobi
Guest
As i understand this article to read there are more red flags in player agent negotiations than a chinese parade.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
On first read Dane, this seemed to be just a flippant, very witty, very well written article. And then I thought of a story written, I think in The Courier-Mail not too long ago, which outlined how many Broncos players, including the then coach, were in the stable of the same agent. The inference was, rightly or wrongly, that an agent could manipulate the fortunes of any club in a similar situation in a way not yet known to management theory. Of course, contracts have now become complicated these days, and players can be forgiven for employing lawyers or agents to represent them. The issue for the NRL then becomes one of deciding whether agents are an issue for them or not. If they are an issue, then it is unlikely that any vaccine will work because I understand that all agents are either pro-choice or anti-vaxers, or totally resistant to injection of anything except a higher percentage commission. But this is far preferable to your prediction of the validation of The Daily Bellylaugh. And shame on you for mentioning Raelene. Mind you, she's got a new job back in NZ on a good contract, hasn't she? Can you tell me who her agent was?
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Best to test it on SBW and his manager first. If it cures them it will cure everyone.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
We don't yet have a cure for cancer.
Dane Eldridge
Expert
It’s well-worn, isn’t it? Should attract an immediate 10% penalty on the cap IMO
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Bloody NZ, always one step ahead
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Bloody excellent idea Zac, and for this reason, totally inappropriate for rugby league!
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Wow Paul, I would love to answer that but regrettably I didn’t graduate from Yale with honours. Something tells me there would be some kinda fringe benefit tariff payable to the IRS or someone more powerful, ie Khoder Nasser
Big Daddy
Guest
Player manager's don't rate too High in the food chain of jobs. Probably the equivalent of used car and life insurance salesman. If the last 12 months is any indication and you total up the number of broken contracts you could say whose fault is it club, player or player manager . If you sign a contract you should honour it and IF you do break it there should be a reduction in the amount of payout wether it be clubs or players fault. Look at the current situation where some clubs are paying players contract while he's playing at another club. If they want out they should have to buy out the remainder of the contract themselves and see how it works out. Look at the payouts for the coaches this year, McGregor, Seibold, Green, Pay , Kearney. Maybe some of these board members should get a shot as well. They're so good at spending clubs money.
Zak
Roar Rookie
Great article Dane. My suggestion is that a standard NRL contract be between the player and the NRL. A player agrees to play at a certain club for let’s say 500k a season for 3 years at the Roosters, his contract is with the NRL and the NRL allows agrees that he plays for the Roosters. This way, if the player wants to jump ship mid contract to Manly the NRL can enforce a salary or 500k for the remainder of the term that was agreed to play for the Roosters. It’s the NRL funding grant to the clubs which pays the player contract, why not have the NRL directly contract and pay the player????
Phil
Roar Rookie
Dane, good article but the NZ Warriors owner, Morgan, I think his name is, might already have the beloved vaccine. He has said he wants to rid his team of players managed by Isaac Moses.
R N
Roar Rookie
If we could just vaccinate against the cliche - "just want to do whats best for the family" and any of its slight variations I would be happy! Until this vaccine is registered and approved any player that utters that idiocy should be fined and their manager banished!
Paul
Roar Guru
Dane, do you know if the Josh Aloiai lawn mowing service is up and running yet and whether he has any interstate franchises? I've got some weeds that badly need a haircut. If he does cut my patch of dirt, do I pay him, West Tigers, Manly or his agent? I assume it'd be a cash job if I paid him or his agent. Don't want the ATO taking their cut.
Tony
Roar Guru
Good (Saturday) morning John My guess is that they turned up about the same time as someone worked out what "percentages" and "commission" were.
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Big D, you raise a fair point. Players are buggers too. Unfortunately they are a necessary evil. We need the herd immunity