We have heard in the past BA is in the committee that signs players but it is O'Neill, Rogers and Sarantinos who do the heavy lifting in negotiations and signing. Now not saying BA does not have a say at all, but seems he simply takes as the club does. But is this time around is he putting his foot down on the Matterson signing considering who we have lost? In my belief, if reports in past are true that BA does not have final say in recruitment as much as he should, that should definately change.
There was talk last year, when there was BA talk and pressure during that month from hell late in the year, people here defended the signings saying he was given alot of these players. Now if that is the case, has he finally came out and demanded a re-signing? Let's be fair, BA is a next man up mentality coach, can develop players, but he would obviously would love to make his job easier. Keeping Matterson would make his job in 2023 easier considering who they have lost.
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BA is a voice on that committee and his word definitely carries weight. BA feels strongly about Matto's place in the club and sees him as a true leader. He's spoken exceedingly highly of him for years. Of course he wants Matto to stay.
He is on the committee, but there was times in the past where it was brought up he is not involved as much as the others.
He doesn't usually comment on negotiations that's all. No player gets signed / re-signed without BA having significant input. Sometimes the club can't afford to sign who he wants which is logical.
No one said that
One part was Kent (i know realiable) saying during the Gutherson negotiations that O'Neill, Rogers and Sarantinos are in the committee and BA is apart of it but does not have as much of a say as he should.
Few others here, cannot remember who, said likewise is all.
No it's 5 equal voices, but the debate on the committee maybe going against BA and he might be using the press to apply some pressure to the other committee members
I was surprised seeing BA make comments on Matterson too, LB. He's been quiet in the past, so your thoughts could well be bang on.
Dylan & Moses are priorities, but this should not impact their negotiations negatively. Its a relatively small increase on what Matto was already on, and I think the club are seeing as some of us are, that N Brown will either be offered a heavily reduced bench role next contract or let go.
Nothing better than some continuity. Matterson also playing Origin can make a player go another level.
NOS: Remember what Arthur said pre-season about Reed, Ice & Nuikore leaving?
Did we fight as much over them? Them leaving was called a positive. There was no family, mates and Fox-Sydrome-say goodbye to origin cards played publicly by Arthur.
Begs the question why.
Maybe, it's simply a case of sure we're a development club, but "holy hell" we need to pull our finger out and stop the exodus? Or is it something more? Values and priorities? We certainly didn't seem as fussed to lose Matto five-six months ago either (his form in 2022 changed everything and why he suddenly turned into the hulk is another interesting question).
It's less a criticism than wondering what is the thinking. If only I were a fly on the wall.
HOE, I could be completely wrong, but I honestly think its this one:
"Sure we're a development club, but "holy hell" we need to pull our finger out and stop the exodus."
BA & the clubs stance around development & contract negotiations all sounded great preseason, & they knew they'd lose some players, but I dont think they predicted they'd be in the position where they could lose all these players.
Its unfortunate, but the way things have played out, we are now in a very different predicament to preseason - it might be as simple as timing in regards to Matto & Papalli?
So many questions HOE, realistically I think we all just want to understand ? It would be great to get a sense of whats happening behind closed doors, and if we have cause for more concern around these players moving on, or if its as simple as opportunistic timing for them, and not us?
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