‘This is the team I really want to win a premiership with’: RCG
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_144%2C$height_144/t_crop_fill/q_86%2Cf_auto/635402f1698dc5687fb8f98be5c093fe76cbc56f 2x" alt="Christian Nicolussi" width="72" height="72" />SMH article By Christian Nicolussi
Reagan Campbell-Gillard has revealed for the first time how he told Parramatta he would not take up an option to remain at the Eels for 2023 - and the phone call that followed from coach Brad Arthur, whom he thought was on holidays with no reception.
Reports last October suggested Campbell-Gillard’s management had told the Eels they would go to market on November 1.
His manager Mark Stewart told The Courier-Mail at the time: “He [Campbell-Gillard] would certainly entertain being the face of a new Brisbane franchise.”
Campbell-Gillard spoke with the Eels, and instead of departing the club, he was able to broker a new three-year extension that tied him to the blue and golds until the end of 2025.
The front-rower told the Herald he was eager to see if there was interest elsewhere, but the chance to win a premiership with the western Sydney powerhouse was always going to trump a big-money move elsewhere, especially an NRL start-up like Redcliffe.
“It was 100 per cent true I wasn’t going to take up that option, it was for 2023, and my manager said, ‘He’s about to play his third season here, but he won’t be taking up the fourth year’,” Campbell-Gillard said.
https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.558%2C$multiply_0.7082%2C$ratio_1.776846%2C$width_1059%2C$x_279%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/e6915a49de4f4195ffba9be3cc5cd6880e04e8a0 2x" alt="Reagan Campbell-Gillard he baulked at taking up Parramatta extension." width="375" height="212" />Reagan Campbell-Gillard he baulked at taking up Parramatta extension.CREDIT:GETTY
“It wasn’t ideal the news got out, but my manager was just doing his job. You have to test your worth and see if there’s still interest out there in the market. You know deep down what you’re worth.
“Brad was on holidays at the time, he didn’t have reception, but he still managed to track me down. I remember the chat. He wasn’t too happy. Brad wanted me to stay, I wanted to stay, we both wanted to get a deal done and a deal was done
“I had to work out if I was chasing cash or wanting to win games. That was my thought process. I wanted to win games and enjoy football, and I was enjoying my football here. Had I won three or four premierships, it’s a different story when it comes to [contemplating] going to a brand-new franchise. And the lifestyle sounds appealing. But this is the team where I really want to win a premiership.”
Campbell-Gillard’s new deal was reportedly worth around $800,000 a season, and he was all for other members of the front-row fraternity, especially Payne Haas, smashing through the $1m a year barrier.
The giant prop said Haas was worth more than the $1m his new management are chasing at the Broncos, and insisted good front-rowers with big engines had a vital role to play in the modern, faster game where the ball is in play more.
“For the work Payne does, I’d give him well north of $1m - he’s a freak, and he’s worth it,” Campbell-Gillard said. “The old saying is ‘front-rowers win games, backs decide by how much’.”
Haas lines up on Saturday afternoon when he is joined by the returning Thomas Flegler, who is rated just as good as Haas by some within the Broncos, and was the target of several Sydney clubs in recent years, including South Sydney.
Replies
I'd suggest 800k a season is very much near the ceiling that RCG could've commanded no matter where he signed. He wasn't getting no million dollar offer. Glad he stayed , but I think he's getting a little ahed of himself if he's thinking he took unders for it.
No argument there but I wonder what BA said to the others
Probably something similar as he said to RCG, but with the addition of reminding them they're going backwards signing for cellar dwellers .
Hopfully he also reminded them that if it wasn't for him they'd both be playing for the nearest pub team.
Don't forget panthers are still paying some of that for this year and next year
Exactly, I think RCGs very fortunate to get the deal he got. He's making out like he's given us his first born.
As I said, really happy he stayed, but it does us no favours come contract time for our other players if they believe RCG getting 800k is " unders". What is it with our senior players and the million dollar fixation ? Considering they've achieved absolutely sweet fuck all.
Wizards “$$ PROF EMERGENCY $$ ”Sleeve i think you're right mate, RCG is on v good coin and while i like him he probably isn't in the best 3-4 props but as a team with Paula he is v good. I also think BA is doing well getting bigger mins from him and Junior as this means better value for the coin. I was not a big fan of RCG yrs ago and thought he was overrated but he has matured.
I think Gutho's signing again was disappointing as hes captain and should have not let it be played out again....pone thing Moses for me has not allowed. I think Moses has matured quite well.
As a club they would also need to ensure what is occurring beyond D Brown and N Brown.
And the thing is, if RCG did go , people would be under the impression that BA didn't call him to try to get him to stay. It's easier to just assume he didn't phone Reed and Ice just like he did with RCG because they chose to chase the extra 100k per year. We will see where their careers go from 2022 onwards with the expectations on their shoulders of being the big marquee signings for their respective dogshite teams.
Let's not forget that we were still waiting on a commitment from Gutherson ( and Paulo ? ) so any counter offers would've had to have been a bit conservative to ensure we had enough in the bank for whatever crazy asking price he leaked to the media that week.
People forget this when they're wondering why we didn't just up everyone who's leavings offers. If that Banana had just fucking signed when he received his more than fair offer then maybe we'd have been able to throw an extra 100k Reeds way when needed.
In the end, RCG and Paulo are massive for Parra, and had to be a priority to get them resigned. That probably meant players on the next rung down had to be content with limited salary, or go elsewhere.
Not sure what was going on with Reed. I suspect the club felt he wasn't worth what he was asking for so let him chase the cash. As for Ice, we'll he came purely as a cheapy, and there will be others to fill that role next season.
Longfin Eel yes mate I am not any clearer about Mahoney and is it weird that nothing offical has occurred? NRL?
Marata / Ice and Stone all got good offers for other areas and good on them. We cannot match such contracts and keep the big ones as well.
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