Jumping The Gun With Semi Won't Help

I've been dismayed to see the vitriolic comments directed at Semi today. It is important that this matter be kept in perspective. To clarify, there are several aspects that need to be considered:* Parramatta are CURRENTLY IN NEGOTIATION with Semi to extend his contract. He is valued highly, focussed on the NRL and will be offered a contract commensurate with his value to the club.* He is in a much better head space about his future, and that was reflected in his last couple of games after returning from injury.* Parramatta is his current club. This team is tight knit and Semi is a big part of the camaraderie that exists. It is much easier to keep a player that is close with his mates - any Broncos contract (excluding TPAs) is unlikely to exceed our offer.* Here's the one that should concern you- a big selling point for Semi is how adored he is by the Parra fans. The overreaction to a newspaper headline today has been extraordinary - unless people are aiming for some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.I'm asking that fans back off the negative comments about Semi, especially whilst BA is deep in negotiations. It's not gonna help to bag a bloke that we want and need to keep.

Replies

RIDER September 24, 2016 at 6:08pm

You shouldn't be dismayed, every time he goes to Fiji we think the sky is falling.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 24, 2016 at 6:10pm

LOL, Yes it will be the fans fault if semi goes, its funny the fans were never into him when he was looking for an out and desperate to leave earlier in the year, you seriously can't be serious here mate?

All fans blow off steam on forums 60s, the chances of that influencing Semi in the real world are zero.
- sixtiesboy > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 24, 2016 at 6:18pm
  
  Keep thinking that. You'd be surprised what is being discussed.
- Buzzaro > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 24, 2016 at 9:28pm
  
  Agree. Semi is not going to read what the fans of an Eels blog are saying before he makes a decision. The club can probably provide him with facts about website traffic and merchandise sales to prove his popularity with the fans. Furthermore the tone of your blog also suggests the comments on here may colour BA's decision making too.
- Slippery. > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 25, 2016 at 11:40am
  
  I once thought social media would have no effect on players at all until a family function I attended last year. As you may know, my wife's cousin is West Tigers player, Kyle Lovett, and he told me about his best friend that played NYC with him at the Tigers, took his own life due to nasty comments made about him and his poor form at the time. Ever since that day I always think twice before posting anything about anybody.
Big Dave September 24, 2016 at 6:10pm

I accept what you say. If we offer Semi good money to extend his contract and he gets more money else where then that's just business, but if we don't offer him good money and he leaves because he feels undervalued and unwanted then heads should roll. Semi is the second most important player in our squad behind Norman and his pay should reflect that, and he should be earning more then Mannah, Scott and M.Jennings.
- sixtiesboy > Big Dave September 24, 2016 at 6:17pm
  
  It's being negotiated.
- Crocker Smhitt > Big Dave September 24, 2016 at 6:18pm
  
  Exactly Dave. Semi is the games premier winger and we have received great value from him by paying unders, We have the cash he should be rewarded.
- parra supporter > Big Dave September 24, 2016 at 6:50pm
  
  if I had the choice o play without semi or Scott for the year is give semi the year off
Ron September 24, 2016 at 6:12pm

Exactly, Sixties.

Agree 100%