Producing absolutely pointless posts. Keep it going. Keyboard hero.
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Well, it does happen in reverse and the club has done this before. The most publicised in recent years was Lance Thompson. He reportedly took a paycut so the Club could sign/retain other players. His reward was to be shown the door before his contract ended.
Well said
I find it rather sad that the media continues to mindlessly show ex- players in a bad light .
Cydonee Mardon
A great cause and service. Good luck to Trent and Jake. Recognising the frailties of sportsmen and women during and after their careers and helping them adjust and prepare for life afterwards will ensure many of the players to have a better balanced life.View attachment 81704
How former NRL great Trent Merrin plans to revolutionise player welfare
Former NRL great Trent Merrin says you don’t have to look far to understand why today’s players are childish as adults, make dumb decisions and have nights out that lead to trouble.
View attachment 81703Cydonee Mardon
@cydmardon
5 min read
November 12, 2023 - 5:00AM
The Sunday Telegraph
https://archive.md/b2BZg#share-tools
Ex NRL player Trent Merlin (third from left) current players L to R, Toby Couchman, Tyrell Fuimaono, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes and Ryan Couchman. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Footy players might look invincible on the field but, when they make mistakes with money, partners and children, “we hurt too … just as much as everyone else”.
Former NRL star Trent Merrin, who has had his own dramas play out in the public eye, said having your personal life raked over and criticised on the airwaves and social media was devastating and was potentially leading to mental health issues.
“We bash each other for a living but we are professionals, that’s controlled aggression. When it comes to money, our kids, marriage breakdowns, contract disputes, we hurt just as much as everyone else. We hurt too,” he said.
Merrin said his experiences made him realise the way the NRL prepares its young stars for public scrutiny is broken – and he wants to fix it.
“Kids come in at 14, 15, 16, often from low socio-economic backgrounds with a huge talent,” he said.
Trent Merrin says the way NRL prepares its young stars for public scrutiny is broken. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
“Some are traumatised from their difficult upbringings, they get exposed to footy and success at a young age but once they get there they don’t know how to navigate it all, nor do their parents.
“That’s where we come in, we want to flip this culture on its head.”
The former St George Illawarra Dragon had an AVO against him dismissed this week.
“Now that I’m here and have been through it, it gives me perspective,” Merrin told the Sunday Telegraph in an exclusive interview.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the space of managing and nurturing players but going through that side of it added spice to my motivation.”
He said the NRL didn’t reach out to him as he went through the court process after being hit with an AVO over a verbal altercation with his ex-wife.
“They only care about their business. Even the stand-down clause, who is that looking after? It shows you there is no emotional attachment,” he said. “I know how to run a business, these kids are your product. If you nurture your product, educate them, they become their own foot soldiers and push back.”
Trent Merrin in action for the Dragons. Picture: AAP Image/Action Photographics
Trent Merrin in action for NSW. Picture Gregg Porteous
Merrin, who won a premiership with St George and also represented the NSW Blues and Australia before he retired, has teamed up with another former St George player Jake Marketo to launch an advisory and mentoring service for current and former NRL players and athletes from falling into the “career traps” they encounter.
Merrin said he has watched countless teammates flounder once they retire from football, making bad relationships and financial choices and getting mixed up in alcohol and drug abuse.
“These are the things that cause mental health issues and suicides when people don’t feel supported or have the tools to protect themselves and make smart choices,” he said. “We want to support people to fight back.”
The former players have created Azure Partners with professionals experienced in corporate law and advisory, marketing and branding and events, social media management, events and finance.
“Elite athletes in all sports face a gap in support as many of the existing services only focus on their on-field performance and contracts, leaving their financial, personal and professional growth unaddressed,” Merrin said.
Trent Merrin says player agents fail to allow their clients to grow. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
“We all know or have experienced the terrible mishaps that athletes fall into, including their personal relationships, contractual disputes, failed business ventures, gambling and the list goes on”.
He wants to fill the void.
“The player agents get them their contacts but then they don’t allow players to grow, communicate, negotiate as they grow into an adult.
“They get taught that all they have to do is concentrate on footy but they lose their growth in other aspects.
“That’s why they are so childish as adults, make dumb decisions, have nights out that lead to trouble – the list goes on and on. We want to educate them on what it’s actually like out there in the real world. The risk to reward with these temptations. And we hold them accountable for the decisions they make and help them navigate the repercussions, but with a focus on learning how to make smarter choices.
