"But you've got to do, what you've got to do," Feleti said at the end of the interview.
I don't know how anyone could watch that and think the situation we have with the cap is a good thing.
Junior development should be rewarded. Some will say that some clubs have bigger junior pools than others and therefore it advantage clubs like Parra and Penrith. However, I believe that's an argument for yesteryear. One only has to look at the success the Storm has had in developing young kids through their junior program. These days, all clubs have talent recognition programs. They all have scouts. And they all bring in players from all over the country.
Today, the cap ripped a part of the soul from our great club. Two players who have been running around in blue and gold since they 15 were effectively forced to give up that jersey.
And so my sadness has turned to outrage. I'll see Feleti and Krisnan wearing black next year and I'll continue to be outraged.
Juniors need to be protected. They are what gives a club continuity and heart. And the clubs that nurture their juniors must be rewarded.
There have been schemes suggested that give discounts to players after they reach a certain number of years service. It's worth noting these schemes wouldn't have helped us to retain Krisnan and may not have seen us keep Feleti either. Player's careers shouldn't be recognised from when they play first grade, it should be recognised at least from NYC.
I would give a 5 per cent discount for every year from that grade up to a maximum of 25 per cent.
25 per cent should generally be enough for any club to a keep juniors they really want to keep, while still keeping some fluidity in the mark. Importantly, local juniors would be eligible for full discounts 2 to 3 years into their NRL careers.
Under these conditions, I'm sure we would have kept Kris and Feleti. Melbourne wouldn't have had to cheat to keep their juniors. And an emerging club like Canberra wouldn't be in danger of losing all their talented juniors they're now bringing through the ranks.
I don't know anybody who follows League that doesn't want clubs to be given more opportunity to hold onto their juniors. The NRL cannot ignore this issue any longer.
Replies
I agree this is an issue that needs to be dealt with asap. losing players is inevitable , but losing quality juniors is avoidable.
I for one will be gutted watching these 2 boy running around in black, and that funny grey tribal patterned jersey they wear,in2011.
Love em or hate em, they were both quality junior players that were forced to leave a club that was their home from an early age, the NRL needs to pull their heads out of their arses and realise that these current restrictions are killing the game we all love.
PLayers are talking about strikes, CLubs are giving solutions to what they want in the cap, The NRL cant keep ignoring all these demands.
If losing two marquee signings for the warriors from parra that were kids that we started bringing up since they were 15-16 years old and would have loved to of stayed at parra but have been forced out due to cap restrictions isnt a strong enough example for the NRL, then i got nuthn
Gould ran through the list of supertsars the Storm had produced. It sounded very impressive. However, what is Mel paying for juniors relative to other teams.
If there is concessions for juniors, Mel, the rooters and brisbane will run riot and sign every 15 year old with a hint of talent. Furthermore it will destroy Newcastle, Canberra and probably Nth Qld.
Maybe a salary cap for juniors as well.
it also needs to be done properly creating a new governing body but electing the same idiots who are running it now wont solve the problem. I like David Gallop and i personally think he has done a good job, but i really think we need new leadership in te game with fresh ideas as an example what Todd Greenburg has done with the bulldogs since he has taken over as CEO or peter holmes accord with the rabbidohs.
Once the game is under a new and simpler leadership which is able to increase revenue i think we can fix the salary cap problems, I agree with what 1eyed said i think the raiders players will be poached but if you where to raise the amount the raiders could pay the players i dont think it would matter because they struggle to reach the salary cap as it is.
Back to the rewarding loyalty tho i think the NRL should allow discounts on keeping juniors only when the club invest into their juniors like parramatta. Clubs such as Manly who take money from their juniors shouldn't get the same as they shouldnt benefit from grass roots development when they dont contribute to it.
Paul Osbourne and DA have really copped it big for this - however it must be recognised that it is not their fault. Clubs only have so much money and we simply could not match the huge offers of the Warriors, who still have money left under the cap this year. The club is devastated about this news, but there is nothing that can be done.
The issue in this whole thing is about clubs not being treated equitably in regard to juniors. Parramatta get no reward for our beautiful player nursery... instead we see truly lovely guys like Kris and Feleti having to make the toughest decision of their careers. It is really very sad.
I am not making this up.... Kris himself admitted to the eels had not approached him at all.... it was in mainstream media.
People would have been livid had we let Morts and Hayne go - with such big contracts being needed to keep players now, it forces others out.
In my heart of hearts, I really do feel like they will come back to us one day.
You now have the fun task of picking a new favourite player to love! Think of me - my favourites ALWAYS leave - Tim Smith, Brett Finch, Todd Lowrie.... it must be the signs. ;-)
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