One of the big things that's worriesome about our club is the attitude of off contract players.
Just today Cronullas stars have come out and said they're going to need to take pay cuts to stay together , Penrith the same .. most other top clubs are in a similar boat . They lose some but it's through necessity . Our players start talking about taking top dollar 16 months before they're off contract.
That starts with our captain and filters all the way down to the youngsters like DB. I'm not sure if our leader Gutho is the one driving this business first philosophy given hes had to move from Manly and still lives there or if it's BA given what he went though in the salary cap rort era. I remember at the time he had to tap Peats on the shoulder and was pissed about how it's now just a business . Either way that is the attitude running though our club and there seems to be a real disconnect between the players and the jersey. It's something leadership (starting with the admin, coach and captain ) really need to work harder on. It was a funny story Dylan Brown meeting Brett Kenny and not knowing who he was but also a joke on the clubs behalf . He's been here about 7 years now and probably doesn't even know when we last one a comp . There is a real disconnect between the players and our club and it's history . As much as these blokes say it's an honour and blah blah to play for the club their actions speak differently.
Even if you are testing the market that should be done quietly with public comments looking out for your club and members to be honest . The guy that's shown the most desire to be here is the one who's already signed elsewhere.
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Yep Panthers really stick together
Koroisau, Kikau, Burton, gone
Chrichton apparently next to go
please
Liam Martin looking for coin too, Luai is the same past his deal. Difference is the same as Origin, these players are mercanaries and play for the highest bidder. For Penrith players, they've won a comp, nothing else for them to do other than make money.
People! You need to stop with the facts. It's really pissing people off.
Yet they all play with pride in the jumper. Look at our mob. Only Papali can hold his head high.
In terms of testing the market i think it should be June 30 when they can start negotiating, or as soon as their season finishes. So if we get knocked out week 1 2023, Brown can start talking in week 2 2023.
Dylan Brown is indicative of society now and the new generation I dont want to use the M term but its true. Its all about the "team of me"
similar can be said of Ponga where he has no connection to his club either. Im almost certian Dylan will go to the highest bidder as he has no real connection even to the game of rugby league. His talent is undeniable but he could care less about the game or the history of our great club. I know its funny he didnt know who Brett Kenny was but is that really funny id say No. If he had the desire for Parra say what Ray Price had then we will be on a winner. Interesting times ahead .......the disconnect is a real thing Im not sure it is just the team maybe its deeper. Although a winning culture would change this disconnect but again its 37 years and counting when we get to 40 I would see a lot of drop off in support or maybe us old timers would be dieing off lol.
I think you also need to bear in mind player development with their long term value. James Tedesco is a case in point. Do you believe he would have developed to what he is now, and paid a salary to suit, if he had still been at the Tigers? No way, Jose.
Some clubs develop very good players into elites. Can you say the Eels do this? Dylan Brown could develop into a true elite at the Storm or Roosters, and get the payola at the end of it.
I think to BA's credit he has demonstrated that he can develop players into very good players. Gutho, Papali'i, N Brown, Junior, Semi, bought RCG back from the dead, Moses is playing better than he ever has..., D Brown etc..
you are right about taking the next step, I think a lot of that has to with the players character and their physical gifts.. e.g. Gutho doesnt have the burst of speed that other fullbacks have, he is very good but never elite like tedesco, turbo etc..
Good blog. I think this disconnect is widespread and talks to how money completely dictates the game nowadays. The day RL became full time professional employment, the transition of love of jersey became show me the money.
Unders?! This unders thing shits me.
We couldn't get Izzy as it wasn't enough in the cap. We couldn't keep Kingston because Grothe and others weren't allowed to take 'unders'.
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