UGLY TREND STEALING NRL STARS’ SPOTLIGHT

I don't really want to post yet another Gutho contract blog, but finally there is some media heat on player managers. Ryan Girlder is spot on in this article. It's funny how you don't even hear the names of most of the player agents who do a great job. The NRL needs to set some ground rules or this will quickly get out of hand, as we have already seen this year.

 

 

One of the ugliest trends in the modern game has turned the spotlight behind the scenes of NRL with player managers and their tactics to squeeze as much money of their clients’ clubs.

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson’s future has been up in the air but the fullback came out during the week to say he was sick of the speculation, as the contract talks have been going on publicly for weeks.

“I want it done just as much as everyone. I’m very sick of it,” Gutherson said.

“But it takes its time. It’s a very serious time in my life. It’s a massive decision in my life. I’m 24 and this can set me up for a long time in the game and out of game as well.”

However rumours of a return to Manly, including Des Hasler coming out during the week to hose down speculation of a return, has highlighted the tactics player managers are using in order to drive up their clients’ wages.

 

For former NSW and Australian star Ryan Girdler, the tactics are getting out of hand.

Speaking on Triple M Footy, Girdler said players who don’t want contract talks to get into the media need to ensure their managers go the right way about negotiations.

“For these young players coming through, if you don’t want to play it out in the media, there are so many managers out there that don’t roll like that,” Girdler said.

“I just feel like they’re glorified car salesmen some managers because there are players that have their contracts done behind closed doors and the only time you hear about it is when the contracts are signed and it’s a celebration for the players and the club saying he’s signed an extra three years.

“Why some managers feel they need to play it out in the court of public opinion and then put pressure on the players and the clubs just to bring up their wages, then they deserve the pressure if they’re going to do it that way.

“If Gutherson’s unhappy about the way it’s played out then he has to go to his manager and say ‘you got this wrong’. You’ve put me in this position and I’m not handling it. I don’t like what’s happening to my family, suddenly everyone at Parramatta thinks I’m trying to rip them off.

“It’s not the club’s fault, the club haven’t done anything wrong, they’re just trying their best to get the deal which is in the best interests of the organisation, which I can fully understand and I hope they stand solid.”

Gutherson followed former Manly assistant coach Brad Arthur to Parramatta and has said the coaches’ future is important to his next move. Arthur admitted it’s part of the game.

A report from The Sunday Telegraph blamed the wait on the Eels potential hunt for Roosters star Latrell Mitchell, who has also been linked with the Rabbitohs.

 

The call was reportedly down to “manager problems” as Brad Fittler revealed during the week, adding Mitchell “might be changing managers”.

The prominence of the player managers has been in the spotlight recently with Gorden Tallis blaming the managers for the drama at the Broncos, last month revealing 18 players were with the one manager at the club. Tallis said at the time “at the moment he runs that club, not Paul White.”

Similarly, former NRL star and NFL hopeful Valentine Holmes was slammed for the laughable scenes when he returned to Australia with a media circus which was labelled “embarrassing” and “terrible” before he announced his move to the New York Jets.

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  • The underlying issue that isn't be addressed is the power that player managers have over players.

    Technically managers are employed by players, but it's not that cut and dried. It's extremely difficult for players to change management. They can't change managers until their current contract has expired per NRL rules, so they can't begin negotiations for their next contract until they have a new manager, which they can't get until their current mangement agreement expires at the time their current playing contract expires.

    However, clubs want to sort out their roster in advance and don't like having to wait to begin negotiations with a players management until his contract expires at the end of November. Which is why most players don't change management, it's just too difficult. Managers in turn know this and therefore have the ability to dictate to players how they conduct negotiations. If the player becomes too much of a nuisance to the manager he just doesn't give him as much time as he does to his other players, or worse ...

    If by some chance the player is determined to change management, his current manager can undermine him at every turn until the player can hire a new manager, which is what's happening with Jesse Ramien & Gavin Orr. Ramien wants to change management, so Orr has been spreading rumours that Ramien wants out of Newcastle, which causes Ramien and the Knights no end of trouble.

    Everyone will blame the managers, but the real issue as always is the NRL.

    • Thanks Brett. I wasn't aware of the issues facing players wishing to change managers, but it certainly sheds some light on what is happening. Certainly the NRL as custodians and owners of the game need to set some rules around this. There are a lot of these seemingly small issues in the game at the moment and we need the NRL to start making some positive changes. There is little innovation in how the game is run, but without innovation you tend to go backwards.

    • I believe part of the accreditation reforms being discussed now will fix this issue placing restrictions on length of contract for managers and other safe guards.

  • I was listening triple m when girds said this , he was fully supportive of the eels and put blame on manager 

    re getting out of contract with manager I believe the NRL with new accreditation policy has made it easier for the player so the player can tell manager pull your head in or lose me as a client

    • It's still very difficult. Corey Oates went through this last season, Latrell Mitchell is going through it now as well as Jesse Ramien.

  • Brett, thx for the details on manager power over players. Your comments certainly highlight an irony to the point of self-serving contradiction amongst managers. The first people to bleat about restraints of trade when talk turns to the salary cap or players are stood down for misconduct are player managers. But obviously player managers are engaging in their own form of restraint of trade via these lock-in contracts.

    Surely the answer is for the NRL to reduce the ability of managers to lock players in and thus create media circuses that only harm player reputation and fan confidence? 

  • The Broncs are in serious trouble. Coach and 18 players all with the same manager. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. 

    • A bigger issue for broncos is the loyalty some players have for Bennett who aren't puting 100% effort in and undermining the new coach and not giving him a chance.

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