Bet u were"nt complaining when saints won 11 in a row.....
During the record run many of the St George greats actually signed on for a lot less money than they could get elsewhere.
Simply put it was a lot easier to get to rep football (the ultimate prize) from a club with good cattle than from being loyal to a lower ranked club.
Interesting that rep footballers were actually "invited" to play for their country and other than travelling costs there was very very little remuneration. The great Billy Smith once gave an insightful interview on the subject after JT suggested that the rep money should be a lot higher.
TPA's of a sort were alive and well back then as some of the players were given a brewery truck and a set delivery run so as they could earn additional income. A brewery run in those days was like a cab license plate today "gold" and had enormous resale value.
Len Kelly once told me that at given times even when some of the superstars of the day asked for more money Frank Facer would "not so politely" say that if they wanted to elsewhere go by all means do so.
That was evidenced by them not losing a great player by choice until they didn't resign Kevin Ryan. "Kandos" left and went to Canterbury.
Ultimately he was the Captain Coach who employed the St George model of football against his old club and the great run came to an end.
Roberts no doubt is getting a good deal in one form or another and his chances of playing high level rep football are extremely enhanced by the decision he has made.
He has made a sound commercial decision as so many have done before him and in the end hoepfully we will all cheer him if and when he wears the Green & Gold.
