Eels Blogs

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  Blue Eel May 14, 2024 at 1:46pm

  I found Gus's take on Player Options very interesting he wont do them. We have 5 player and 3 more mutual options.

  Gus - I dont see the benefit of it. If the player is playing well then he can leave your club for more money when the option comes up. The only time a player takes his player option is if he is playing bad and that is his only option. It makes no sense giving the players all the power. 

  With Player options you can never have any certainty in your roster moving forward.
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    Adam Magrath > Blue Eel May 14, 2024 at 2:18pm

    We are leading the league at something, I'd prefer we weren't. This isn't good at all moving forward. There are clubs lower down the ladder than us that won't touch them (and with good reason).
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  Titan May 14, 2024 at 2:28pm

  We have weak management to accept these player options. Our halves over the next few years can walk out and we can't do anything about it. Shaun Lane has a bloody option. 
  
  

  Storm were the only successful club with a few options but there players are entitled as they are successful 
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  Gucci May 14, 2024 at 2:38pm

  All these players with Player Options were either brought to the club by BA or progressed through the grades with him. No doubt you will see all 5 move on if BA was moved on.
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      Gucci May 14, 2024 at 2:59pm

      I didnt say he was responsible for the PO only that the players were brought to the club by BA with their original contracts. For all 5 players this is their second contract with the club and is it just a coincidence that these 5 players would only accept a contract while BA is headcoach and that after his extension all players would only take additional years as player options in case he is moved on? 
      
      All these players have close relationships with BA its not a long shot to assume they want to play under him and this is an option in their favour to move onto another club should they not want to play for the new coach post 2025...
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        Old School Eel > Gucci May 14, 2024 at 4:04pm

        A new coach may feel the same and not want the players.
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  Hell On Eels May 14, 2024 at 3:20pm

  

  This is a very relevant important topic. The fact we have by far use the most "player options" in contracts is both as telling as it worrying. It's a self castrating vicious cycle.

  It suggests how the club's heirachy and GM have been able to retain star players: by providing a desperate point of difference.

  Every club is doing their damnest to be an attractive destination for players to attract and retain talent.

  That's one way our club seems to be trying to do it (along with the likes of Canberra to a lesser degree).

  By bending over and castrating itself and handing all the power to agents and players in negotiations as opposed to the stronger elite clubs that don't go down this path. They say "no" to what we say yes, probably out of desperation.

  We all saw Moses, Gutho, Matto, RCG and their agents all played the protracted contract games - scaring the club.

  They balked at signing,  playing the open market game, to squeeze as much from the club as possible. That ended with player options.

  Now Talagi is playing it too. Why not? If the senior leaders do, regularly, why can't he too? They set the standards.

  Bloody hell as if $1.1 - 1.2 over three years for a 19yo rookie with a handful of NRL games much to learn is not a decent offer?

  Supposedly, he loves the club. "Feelings" don't seem to make a difference if dollars come first. Players can't run with money in their pockets. No wonder our culture is so up and down, and our defence is often butter. 

  Thank God there are some clubs that have balls to sometimes say no to player agents and players, though it's easier when you aren't desperate.