Alex McKinnon possibly Quadriplegic - Mclean guilty of dangerous throw - 7 weeks

[Apey]

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2014/04/30/knights_re_sign_alex_mckinnon.html

Knights re-sign Alex McKinnon

Wed 30th April, 11:56AM A A

http://wa1.www.newcastleknights.com...r_content/par/image.img.jpg/1398823442416.jpg

The Newcastle Knights today announced it would extend Alex McKinnon’s player contract beyond 31 October this year.
The Club and McKinnon were in the midst of finalising a contract extension prior to the young forward’s injury in round three.
CEO Matt Gidley said the Knights would honour its contract offer, with McKinnon guaranteed employment at the club. The details of his employment will be discussed with McKinnon when he is ready.
“Alex is a wonderful talent on the field and a better Clubman off the field,” Gidley said.
“While we remain hopeful Alex will make a full recovery, we are pleased to extend his contract at the Newcastle Knights because there is no doubt he’ll be a valuable employee.”
The NRL also announced today Alex would be offered a job for life, which will take effect once his Newcastle agreement is completed.
“I appreciate both the Knights and NRL’s support at this time,” McKinnon said.
“As I have said before, I am completely overwhelmed by all of the support I have received and to now have my future secured by the game, is really humbling.”
NRL CEO Dave Smith applauded the Club for honouring McKinnon's new contract.
“Alex remains an inspiration for the game and for the rest of the team so this is a sound decision,” he said.
“His contract will be exempt from the salary cap and I think everyone will be delighted to have him in our game while he recovers.”
In addition to McKinnon’s job for life, the NRL has plans for a fundraising ‘Rise for Alex’ round, with details as follows:
· A Foundation will be set up to raise funds for Alex to help him through his recovery.
· There will be a “Rise for Alex” round of the Telstra Premiership (Round 19 which begins on 18 July).
· It promises to be one of the biggest rounds the NRL has ever seen with a range of family activities and promotions to raise funds for Alex’s Foundation.
· The fundraising round has the backing of the NRL’s broadcast partners - Nine Network, FOX Sports, 2GB and Triple M.
· The NRL will dedicate funds to a research project associated with spinal injury.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Does this count under the salary cap?

 

[Kiwi]

Does this count under the salary cap?

Nope said at the end of the article that it doesn't, which is good because it shouldn't.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Nope said at the end of the article that it doesn't, which is good because it shouldn't.

So really they are employing him, and as is the other article that the NRL was going to guarantee him a job for life, it's just the Knights honoring that on behalf of the NRL.

 

[perverse]

Well, he was about to re-sign with the club - so they are honoring the value and length of that contract. Call it whatever you like, Dogs... it certainly shouldn't be counted under the cap.

 

[Kiwi]

So really they are employing him, and as is the other article that the NRL was going to guarantee him a job for life, it's just the Knights honoring that on behalf of the NRL.

No the Knights are honouring the negotiations that were happening when he got injured, the money is coming out of their pocket, they didn't have to do it, the NRL's only part in this is making it exempt from the salary cap, it's still a players contract. The NRL's job for life offer has nothing to do with what Newcastle has done.

Would have been quicker to read the article yeah?

 

[Cammo]

Great stuff. Good on the Knights

 

[Lambretta]

Classy moves by the Knights and the NRL

Well done to both of them

 

[nick87]

Well done to them. That's fantastic work by the knights. Very honourable.

 

[Lambretta]

Really nice coments from Gordon Tallis on Monday Night with Matty Johns this week. He went in to visit him this week and mentioned on the show.

Gordon said it was such a rewarding experience meeting such an inspirational young man.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Alex is a legend,the heart of Phar Lap

 

[Tenacious Titans]

Well done Knights, nice to see.

 

[Charlie124]

Ok, I'll be the cynical one here and ask the obvious question, why would the knights extend a playing contract to a bloke who'll never play again CONSIDERING that he's already going to be looked after financially and given a job for life anyway? His contract was finishing up, and the knights and nrl are obviously sticking by him regardless, so what's the point in doing this?

Also, the knights have put the NRL in a position where they can't possibly count it under the salary cap without looking like heartless merkins, when there was really no need for the situation in the first place.

 

[perverse]

Ok, I'll be the cynical one here and ask the obvious question, why would the knights extend a playing contract to a bloke who'll never play again CONSIDERING that he's already going to be looked after financially and given a job for life anyway? His contract was finishing up, and the knights and nrl are obviously sticking by him regardless, so what's the point in doing this?

Also, the knights have put the NRL in a position where they can't possibly count it under the salary cap without looking like heartless merkins, when there was really no need for the situation in the first place.

Where are you actually going with this?

Alex has been thought of very highly around the club since he arrived. Local Hunter boy, heart on his sleeve, genuine. I would wager that the club is doing it because the club wants to support him beyond nice words and hospital visits. Make him still feel part of the team as much as possible in the situation.

 

[Chook]

Well done Knights.

Chook.

 

[Johns Magic]

Ok, I'll be the cynical one here and ask the obvious question, why would the knights extend a playing contract to a bloke who'll never play again CONSIDERING that he's already going to be looked after financially and given a job for life anyway? His contract was finishing up, and the knights and nrl are obviously sticking by him regardless, so what's the point in doing this?

Also, the knights have put the NRL in a position where they can't possibly count it under the salary cap without looking like heartless merkins, when there was really no need for the situation in the first place.

I think it just means that the Knights will honour the money that was written into his playing contract, which I imagine is a lot more than someone in the role he will now fill at the club would usually get. Not sure why it would be called a "players contract" or whether the journalist is just taking some creative license.

If you think that this put the NRL in an uncomfortable situation in any way whatsoever then I suggest you re-assess. The NRL would be more than happy to be part of this good news story and seen to be doing everything they can for Alex. Do you really think any part of them feels like they are being dudded in some way like you are implying?

 

[Charlie124]

Where are you actually going with this?

Alex has been thought of very highly around the club since he arrived. Local Hunter boy, heart on his sleeve, genuine. I would wager that the club is doing it because the club wants to support him beyond nice words and hospital visits. Make him still feel part of the team as much as possible in the situation.

I'm not going anywhere with it, the facts are that that "nice words and hospital visits" aren't all the knights and NRL are doing for him. From day one it was known that he would be looked after for the rest of his life, financially and in any other way (job for life, as it turns out), he will never want for anything, which is a great thing that both the knights and NRL community have done for him. The right thing.

I only wonder why they've also gone and signed him to a playing contract which really should come under cap like all other playing contracts, and then kind of forced the NRLs hand into not counting it under the cap, if they did they'd look like arseholes.

 

[Von]

Well done Knights.

Very honourable move.

 

[Kiwi]

Ok, I'll be the cynical one here and ask the obvious question, why would the knights extend a playing contract to a bloke who'll never play again CONSIDERING that he's already going to be looked after financially and given a job for life anyway? His contract was finishing up, and the knights and nrl are obviously sticking by him regardless, so what's the point in doing this?

Also, the knights have put the NRL in a position where they can't possibly count it under the salary cap without looking like heartless merkins, when there was really no need for the situation in the first place.

Ok I'll share a tiny bit of personal info here so you know exactly where I am coming from. Almost 12 months ago my wife was in hospital with what appeared to be stroke symptoms. After lots of testing, including a spinal tap that left her not being able to sit up without throwing up for a week she was diagnosed with MS. During that time with my wife ( being an engineer ) as the primary money earner in our family ( we have two children ), I can tell you right now, Money was one of the things freaking her out, obviously there were other things as well, but when your high paying career looks like it might be gone, that is a big thing. So this is why I think the knights have done what they have....

- Immediate financial security for Alex, not when he gets out of hospital, but IMMEDIATE
- A players contract gives him hope, it is very easy to give up in such severe adversity that something as simple as this gives him more hope, would show him how much the club is believing in him, nothing and pointless to us, priceless to Alex.

 

[coast_dragons]

Good to see some one actually question why they have given him a new contract serious you have to ask why have a real good think about it then come back when you have.