Practically referring to how Papali'i practically doesn't want to go, both clubs know that. Marshall did call Papali'i, despite Sheens saying Marshall sorted it turns out it was not the case Papali'i was still hesitant to commit. Anyway have a read, not too much new in there i guess.
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Hmm interesting LB - TBH do we want to have approx $1.2-1.3 million tied up with Pap and Matto? I may be in the minority but id rather bring on a couple or so juniors for Papali'i - yes hes done well but hes made his bed for me. Bring on two or so up and comers and save the $$$ for Moses and DB. We need to sort the halves imo
Only issue Mitchy is we have no juniors ready to go to take over. Minimum 2025 is when we may have a back-rower ready. I see Papali'i taking less than what he signed for with Wests, like around 550 mark as his decision seems to be fit and comfort and not money.
We have Lane off contract in 2023, i would expect him to get interest yet he is on 400 range and don't expect him to break the bank. We can move him on for cap space or keep it as are back-row depth atm is weak, unless El-Zakham gets a start and can take over from Lane.
Plus the cap will start going back up starting next year so there is room to play with.
I think that is the case 240v, Parra are trying to keep him. Wests have sounded desperate the whole time. Sheens says "Benji spoke to him, it's all good" You sure Tim? You sure? Sounds like you are pushing things under the carpet and working over time. At the end of the day, Wests are making it worse for themselves. They have the contract signed by him, they can say to the media "He has signed until 2025, we will see him in November for pre-season training" leave it at that, but they are constantly selling the club to him, which is what you shouldn't do to someone who signed and telling the media everything is fine. They should say "He is signed, he will be coming" Wests have botched this badly in desperation.
Plus i know Wests fans and they say "Ice has said he is honouring it to Benji", right his last interview about it he said it is not his focus and whatever happens, happens. He could've said "Im signed to the Tigers" that is all he needed to say, but didn't do that, he couldn't do that. Why? Cause he doesn't want to go simple as that.
I think it is over 50% Papali'i will be at CommBank next year instead of Concord, but Wests still have the leveridge with his signature on a contract. But i've said it so many times, do Wests, a club who is in the process of rebuilding culture and the team and trying to get players to buy into what they are doing with Sheens and Marshall, do they want someone who may not give 110% when times get tough? Koroisau has 2 premiership rings and has played Origin, he will give his all as he is not concerned on the rebuild, Papali'i still has another decade of footy to achieve things, he doesn't want to waste a third of his remaining years in a rebuild.
I think he will backflip in the off season where he won't be in the spotlight as such. I really think he doesn't want to go & he's playing like he will be here long term imo.
Papali'i and his manager are determined to get out of this. Fingers crossed.
I am conflicted 😐, on the one hand I would love to keep Papalil on the other I believe when you make a commitment you stick to your word, you honour your deal even if something better pops up.
Greed is good Bob, yeah we wouldn't like it if done to us, but we can be greedy to keep him.
Ok so I am definitely in the minority here. As much as I like him and want him to stay, part of me wants him to honour his contract. Just because at this point what's the point of even signing a contract? It's only the players that get anything out of it. The club gets held to ransom because a player gets second thoughts about what they want. Then don't sign a contract.
I know it's not eels based but remember years ago when Ramien signed with knights. Then went to the knights and was uselss. Didn't want to play for the knights because they sucked and then basically demanded sharks buy him back for massive coin. I realise that's the sharks stupid decision but contracts mean nothing nowadays. I mean even if Isaiah does leave next year it really won't surprise me if he's back in Blue & Gold before the end of next season anyway.
I get where you're coming from and agree the contract situations in the NRL are just ridiculous. But in the spirit of "don't hate the player, hate the game" I'm not going to take the moral high ground when no other player or team do.
If the Tigers had the opportunity to get one over us in the same way, you bet your bottom dollar they'd do it.
The NRL needs to work with the RLPA to fix the contract shenanigans, in the meantime if Ice can backflip and the Tigers reluctantly agree to it, then I'm welcoming Ice to stay with arms wide open.
Oh absolutely. Don't get me wrong I agree it's a broken system and I'm not saying we shouldn't get something out of it . Especially if everyone else does it. I'm just saying I don't like the idea of a contract meaning nothing and it sounds like you agree with me.
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