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[Collateral]

Bailey close to leaving

By PAUL SUTTOR
May 20, 2005

LUKE BAILEY



THE chances of international prop Luke Bailey staying at the Dragons are dwindling the longer his contract negotiations drag on.

St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust yesterday gave his strongest hint yet that the club might not be able to retain the NSW and Australian front rower next year.

The Dragons cannot afford to match what Bailey would receive on the open market and Doust said the club had to keep an eye to the future as young forwards Ben Creagh and Dean Young and internationals Shaun Timmins and Mark Gasnier are off contract next year.

He also pointed to the fact the Dragons were well stocked with up-and-coming front rowers, referring to Justin Poore, Ashton Sims, Michael Henderson, Bryan Norrie and NSW under 19 representative Dan Hunt.

"We are overweight in front-row forwards. Behind them (Bailey and Jason Ryles) there's some front rowers coming through that have got a great deal of talent as well," he said.

"You can't invest too much of your salary cap in certain key positions, even though front rowers are very important."

Doust ruled out giving the former Shellharbour Sharks junior permission to negotiate with other clubs before the anti-tampering deadline, which expires at the end of next month.

"June 30 is still a long way away and people shouldn't get frantic or too emotional about the subject," he said.

"I don't intend to let one of our best players go easily, but you've got to have some objectivity in these decisions.

"There has to be an acceptance from both sides on the reality of life."

Bailey said he would prefer to re-sign before June 30 if the Dragons offered the right deal.

When asked if he would wait until the anti-tampering deadline expired, Bailey said he "probably will just have a look anyway".

"It's not like I'm waiting until June 30. I'm waiting for a response from the Dragons, but I know they're in a tight situation.

"I wanted it all done before the start of the season, they were happy to sit and wait."

Cronulla, South Sydney and the Wests Tigers have already indicated they would be prepared to offer big money to Bailey if he is still a free agent in July.

Doust is in the early stages of contract talks with rookie first graders Wes Naiqama and Corey Payne.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/articles/2005/05/20/1116533511848.html

 

[Collateral]

Another player I rate really highly in our PL side is Charles Leaeno...and so does Brown.

Beleive it or not people, we can easily accomodate for the loss of Bailey. The most depressing thing about it all is that he will be playing for another team.

Good to see the Doust is already negotiating with Wes and Corey, both are players of the future.

Young and Creagh are going to take a huge chunk out of our salary cap next year with them coming off contract, I think Gas will be on the same or less money. I cant really see Timmins staying if we need money that badly.

So in my opinion, if releasing Bailey means we can keep some of the young talent of Props we already have and also keep Creagh and Young, then release him.

 

[borat]

If Bailey is holding out for $350 000 to $400 000 then all the best to him. We can't be held to ransom over one player when we have plenty of depth. Everything should be done to keep him but not to if we will loose alot of our up and comers.

 

[Dragon_psa]

Piggy did the same to us last year and we f***ed him off. I would hate to lose Bailz, but if it means retaining guys like Wes, Payne, Hendo, Sims, and Norrie then so be it.

 

[drake]

Losing Bull would be downright f**king stupid, IMO.

Would Brisbane let go of Webcke?
No, especially not to keep a couple of promising juniors that would have to be released when they had hit their peak so they can keep a couple of promising juniors that would have to be released when they had hit their peak... See the pattern.
Hopefully Doust is playing the negotiation game and fully intends to make a deal with Bull.

As for loyalty and Baileys injuries, well sure. Ryles, Timmo, Barret and Thommo did it, and I'm proud and grateful they did.
But I know if someone expected me to stay and take a paycut to make up for a work place injury (or two) that fully affected my life, I would tell them the vicious travel news.

 

[TinghaInMotion]

350 to 400 is too much for a front rower

 

[Hollywood]

What annoys me most is this ridiculous salary cap rule. Dragons suffer for producing their own players while other clubs fill our players pockets full of cash. Teams like the Roosters feed off the ridiuclous rules.

 

[gregstar]

*bump*

is there any developments?

 

[Willow]

The only new rumours are that he may stay on for one more year at Saints before moving up to the Gold Coast.

He always said that any move he makes will be for his family.
Despite what people think, that doesn't always mean more money. A good lifestyle and 3 year contract with a re-newed club will set him up nicely.

This is all speculation.

Personally I think it would be a good outcome for all. Bailey has played for NSW and Australia and the prospect of playing for a new club surrounded by sun, surf and golf courses might sound too good to pass up. Equally, it'll give him the opportunity to put in one final season with Saints who most likely will make sure it's worth their while as well.

 

[gregstar]

good hunch willow! or are you trying to buy friends there on the coast? ;-)

 

[Willow]

LOL. He was rumoured to be talking to the Gold Coast a week before the 16th team announcement.

Yeah, its only a hunch backed up by a couple of publications who are speculating along the same lines. I understand there's still a few Sydney clubs chasing him as well.

I'd love to see Bailey stay at Saints for life but he wants to do the right thing by those closest to him, then what can you do? Good luck to him.

 

[Dakink]

I wish him the best whichever way he decides to go. His attitude on and off the park has won me over as a fan no matter where he plays (providing it aint Bris,parra, dogs, manly or scumulla).

 

[wildmooka]

350 to 400 is too much for a front rower

Agree totally. No prop, including bailz or webcke is worth $400,000 a season. Not in your life. $250,000 maximum in my opinion and I am not trying to play down a front rowers importance to a team either.

 

[Biglance]

bailey signing a one year deal with an option to negotiate with gold coast