NRL convert Israel Folau appears set to retire from Greater Western Sydney

[Desert Qlder]

I'll probably be laughed at for demonstrating pity, but I really felt sorry for Folau for being used and abused so blatantly like he was by AFL.

Of course he is a grown man and can make his own decisions. But it is fairly obvious to all that he is quite an impressionable fella and easily swayed. Large organisations were in his ear (the church as well as AFL) and large sums of money were at stake. Folau is really only blessed with his physical gifts and wasn't really capable of seeing the way the AFL were manipulating him.

He just needs to knuckle down now and get back into proper shape. Time is on his side and he can still carve out a very solid career for himself.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

Rugby league are the winners.

Slothfield off his meds today? Not common for him to say something positive.

 

[WayneBennett]

For a million a season you could manipulate me like a ventriliquist

 

[thorson1987]

Come back to Melbourne Izzy!

Brendan Fevola ‏@BrendanFevola25
Big izzy to retire and move back to Melbourne to play for the storm in 2013 making way for Kurt Tippett to become a giant #scoop

No thanks.

 

[Rosetta]

"Retire" is the kind of spin I expect to hear at this press conference.

There is no way the AFL will allow this press conference to turn into a leg-up for our code, it will be a hit and run mission where he announces his retirement from AFL then denies it's to return to league.

 

[Far Canal]

I'll probably be laughed at for demonstrating pity, but I really felt sorry for Folau for being used and abused so blatantly like he was by AFL.

Of course he is a grown man and can make his own decisions. But it is fairly obvious to all that he is quite an impressionable fella and easily swayed. Large organisations were in his ear (the church as well as AFL) and large sums of money were at stake. Folau is really only blessed with his physical gifts and wasn't really capable of seeing the way the AFL were manipulating him.

He just needs to knuckle down now and get back into proper shape. Time is on his side and he can still carve out a very solid career for himself.

Not laughing at you but you do realise this "impressionable" perosn also received approx 1m a year and you feel sorry for him? I don't at all.

He is financially better off during his stint at the GWS than what most people will be in their lives.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Izzy better get stuck into the protein shakes and hit the squat rack then. He looks like he'd get snapped in half if he ran out to play tomorrow

 

[Desert Qlder]

Not laughing at you but you do realise this "impressionable" perosn also received approx 1m a year and you feel sorry for him? I don't at all.

You have every right to maintain this position.

My take is more to do with how the AFL conducted itself during this affair. I found their behaviour to be ethically questionable.

But history will right it off as 'business is business'.

 

[whall15]

Any channel taking it? Not on News 24.

 

[Rosetta]

No spin from Sheeds, good for him.

 

[BranVan3000]

The AFL are smart, they will make him sign agreements in getting out that say he cannot bad mouth the sport in any way, he wnt be able to say he didn't enjoy the sport etc. when we all know that is the truth

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Daily telegraph website has the live feed.

 

[Cletus]

The AFL are smart, they will make him sign agreements in getting out that say he cannot bad mouth the sport in any way, he wnt be able to say he didn't enjoy the sport etc. when we all know that is the truth

Pretty much, I'd say he'd be getting a nice payout with a no bagging clause. And Im sure hell say he really enjoyed his time playing afl, loved the team etc etc.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Says he hasn't talked to any NRL clubs as yet.

 

[Gippsy]

Radio has reported him as leaving the AFL, with the Eels rumoured to get him.

Hard to feel sorry for him, he's a young bloke who has won lotto twice in 2 years.

As for what he can say & what he can't, isn't he out of contract with the AFL? If so, he should be free to say what he likes. I hope so anyway.

 

[GongPanther]

They just had a news conference on SKY NEWS on Fox.

Sheedy said some bullsh!t then when Falou said a few words,not more than two minutes worth,they cut it off which is typical of this pro-AFL channel.

One journo ask Falou which club he is going to which he replied,"I have had NO contact with no clubs at all" Which is more bullsh!t.

Falou is a turncoat for playing for Qld (in which I think is his main reason for returning )and he obviously can't keep his word as far as a contract is concerned.

His integrity is shot to pieces.

 

[Sydney Knight]

Do you normally hold a press conference when releasing a 10 game player?

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Welcome home Israel.

 

[some11]

Do you normally hold a press conference when releasing a 10 game player?

Milking the last bit of publicity they can, they're already spinning this as a 'win' for AFL.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/is...ity-sought-after/story-fnelctok-1226508472340

 

[Kirky]

Pretty much, I'd say he'd be getting a nice payout with a no bagging clause. And Im sure hell say he really enjoyed his time playing afl, loved the team etc etc.

This. And every time his name's mentioned for the rest of his playing days the words AFL and GWS will accompany. Free publicity for them for as long as Izzy's career lasts. :x