Abraham - contract update

[Nuffy]

Couldn't find anything on the forum about this but it says in the Sun Tele that Abraham has been offered a 2 yr deal which seems to be based on him playing a set number of games, (seems reasonable) however the comments from Abraham don't sound like he's too thrilled about it.

Something along the lines of " I'm not sure if I'm coming or going" and "no certainty to be at the club next year"

Sounds on the surface to be a reasonable proposition, hes been looked after for quite a few years now and surely can't expect a straight contract based on his injury record.

 

[roopy]

His decision will be whether he wants to put in the work with no certainty of a decent payday.

 

[Burwood]

It has worked wonders for MacDougall this season. How many people would have been brave enough to suggest that he would have only missed the one game after 18 rounds of football? :shock:

 

[roopy]

It has worked wonders for MacDougall this season. How many people would have been brave enough to suggest that he would have only missed the one game after 18 rounds of football? :shock:

different situations though - doogs used to miss games because his mojo was off that day - Abes is running around on legs made out of scrap metal and rubber bands.

 

[Nuffy]

Roopy, the reality is, what other options does he realistically have? Its difficult to think that a club would give him a straight contract based on his history.

 

[Ben]

He is too much of a liability injury-wise to offer him any other form of contract.
I know he has been faithful to the club and has taken a paycut, but with his injuries i hope he realises that it is hard for the club to give him a better offer.
And i don't think other clubs will be handing out much stronger offers so hopefully he will stay.

 

[roopy]

Roopy, the reality is, what other options does he realistically have? Its difficult to think that a club would give him a straight contract based on his history.

totally agree - he either has a go or retires - his only two options.
If i were him I'd try to get a one year incentive contract, hopeing it could be upgraded if 2008 was a good year.

 

[keeney]

That's great news. The club offering a contract part as opposed to the Abes being disappointed one. The opinion I had formed from this week's media conference was that he would be cast aside like the others.

I hope he stays but my god do we have room for him?

Simpson
Patterson
Reynoldson
Taufua
Young
Bailey
Taia
Houston
Lulia

As well as who? The other Taufua? Tupous? Tolar? We could field a 17 of backrowers.

 

[Frederick]

Hilder too

 

[roopy]

Ling and i hope Laban as well

 

[keeney]

I love Abes, I also love depth, But redundant is the first word that springs to mind with this many signings. We have about 10 guys vying for every position except front row, our weakest currently.

 

[roopy]

I love Abes, I also love depth, But redundant is the first word that springs to mind with this many signings. We have about 10 guys vying for every position except front row, our weakest currently.

we have three specialist halves - and all three under 21 (Walsh, Mullen, Karawana).
Abes and Bailey are real options at 5/8.

 

[keeney]

Not on a permanent basis, and certainly not above the two main ones, Karawana is a poor mans version of Abes and Bailey.

 

[The Devil]

Not on a permanent basis, and certainly not above the two main ones, Karawana is a poor mans version of Abes and Bailey.

I beg to differ on this point. All three have very solid passing games, but none have displayed any great kicking ability. Yes Abes came up with two good kicks last monday but its just not enough to take heat off Mullen/Walsh depending on who is the 7. With Karawana a specialist half i think his kicking game has more potential to it than Abes and Bailey.

 

[Alex28]

I'd love to see him stay, but what the club has offered is pretty fair given the injuries he has had. No complaints here.

 

[CJKnight]

With the amount of quality backrowers we will have next season:

Simpson
Paterson
Bailey
Taufua
Hilder
Reynoldson
Taia
Houston, etc.

... is there any guarantee he will get quality time in FG?

Perhaps that is the reason for Abes' uncertainty over the contract?

I hope we do sign him though.

 

[Ben]

I rate Abraham over every one of those players on the list except for Simpson and Paterson. Given time, he will reach his peak, and at his peak he is a better lock option than Reynoldson, Bailey, Hilder, Taia etc.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

LOL How long do we have to wait everytime he gets close poor b@stard gets injured.

 

[antonius]

Thing is, he's been on that sort of contract for the last two years and I'd say he's actually earnt very little in those two years. The last time he signed, he was told that he would be paid an upgrade in the second year depending on what he did in the first year, he spent most of that first year out, so I'd say he's earnt next to nothing this year. It's unfortunate for Abes that it's panned out this way, but really you can't blame the club. I'd say if he gets another offer then he may well take it. No offers he'll stay. He's a fifty fifty gamble really, he could come good and if he does then we'll regret loosing him, or he may well break down again.

 

[CJKnight]

I rate Abraham over every one of those players on the list except for Simpson and Paterson. Given time, he will reach his peak, and at his peak he is a better lock option than Reynoldson, Bailey, Hilder, Taia etc.

Perhaps in ability and experience... yes. But not in workrate. Hilder, Reyno, and Taia's workrates s**t all over Abes' weekly effort. When was the last time Abes made 45 tackles or 150 meters? The best Abes can hope for (IMO) would to be if Smith was to use his experince off the bench. He may get less than that, even being a call-up for injury.