Different situations.
Saints sent all the paperwork into the NRL, and waited for NRL approval before making any media announcement that Gasnier had been signed. Therefore, totally legit.
The Souths owner got on TV in America and said Inglis had been signed for $1.8mil / 3 years. The NRL hadn't received any paperwork. Very unprofessional.
I recall the frustration of fellow supporters as the Gasnier negotiations dragged on. But I'd rather see the club boss making sure it was all approved and legal, than seeing the club boss revealing sensitive details on International TV before the deal was locked away.
P.S. I've always been a fan of Inglis, ever since I saw him playing in the Qld Cup for Norths Devils. Great player, just finding his way at the moment imo. I hope a deal is worked out and he stays in RL. Russell Crowe could have blown it though.
hehe yes i was watching leno when russell was on. In all honesty..id love to see the salary cap scrapped and a new system put in whereby you can pay as much as you want to a player but then youre "taxed" a certain percentage which is put into a pot to subsidize the less wealthy clubs.
I think what russell is doing is good. He did an ok job of exposing our game more to the states. We need more and more money coming in.
I get your distinction with the gasnier situation...but im just saying there were several people who were not happy about it (lockier to name one hehe). We need to start caring about our players more.
Its not so much inglis who will be punished if he leaves the code. Its the kids coming up. Theyre all watching and learning. Their managers are also noting. So they know where exactly the brick wall in terms of pay is. If the nrl isnt showing more love... i dont think they will either.
After all....footballers need to take care of their needs first. They need to make as much as they can as quick as they can.
