Abraham - contract update

[Nuffy]

I'd say that all things considered, the Knights have been very good to Abraham over the last few years, I'd really like him to stay and show us what hes capable of.

I am very disappointed in the fact that he was fit to play and didn't play, based on our current problems we can't afford to leave blokes out, if hes not a better lock than tanner then i'm a very poor judge.

Just once I'd like reporters to dig into stories, if hes reported as being on the outer, then whats the reason, second if hes fit and doesn't play, then whats the reason?

 

[Doctor]

You're a bit mistaken there I'm affraid, he's had plenty of years injury free since his debut.
Up until he broke his leg in that city v country game in around 2004 I think, Abes was probably our most injury free first grader. His debut was in 2000. He played in the 2001 grand final, was the players player of the year in 2003, so he'd been in first grade for some considerable time prior to that night when it all came tumbling down. Even when he came back from it, all the class was there to see, since re-breaking it though he's struggled. I think he's not far off being back to his best, and I'm sure if he can do a Scott Prince then the Knights will regret letting him go.

Right you are Tony. Perhaps a better explanation of my point is to see Abraham as being effectively permanently on our injury list since 2004. That's three years of rehab, making him (along with Seage) a very unreliable player in terms of productivity. With the exception of Johns, O'Davis and MacDougall in his hey day, that level of investment makes no sense in a business scenario and, clearly, it is beginning to strain the club's willingness to see the partnership with Abraham as one of mutual benefit, even if Abraham is well loved by Knights fans (myself included).

Just once I'd like reporters to dig into stories, if hes reported as being on the outer, then whats the reason, second if hes fit and doesn't play, then whats the reason?

I dare say if these "reporters" knew the answer to that question, they would have written it down. No journalist worth his weight would not ask that question. It's a matter of whether anyone is willing to give an answer. That Abraham is out of favour is not the scoop here (we can see it by the very fact he wasn't picked ahead of Tighe, of all people). The bigger question is, as you say, why?

I'd suggest that Abraham's injury susceptibility is worrying the Knights. I like Abraham, but it's not my call to make. I can't see this ending in a pretty way, even though Abraham is playing quite well at the moment and remains largely injury-free.