Willow said:
In 2005, Bailey wanted three more years with Saints: 2006, 2007, 2008.
Repeating what I have already said back to me
What Bailey is concerned about is why he can't get the right conditions for 2008 and
Willow said:
how hard will it be when that time runs out?
which means 2009 and beyond It is there for all to see
Bailey may have accepted less if he had security in future years He didnt feel like he did and couldnt accept the offer made to him
You cannot say
Willow said:
Dragons offered him nothing and virtually showed him the door
It goes back to why my resistance to your version is valid
Any club worth their salt wants to balance the player the money the opportunity and all that combination with all the other players they have under contract or expect to be under contract
The club knows where they stand Bailey doesnt You dont I dont They make their offer improve their offer and however you shake it out it is not enough for Bailey The club may realise this but their duty is to the club as a whole This is the third year 2008
Willow said:
He never asked for a four year contract with Saints. Three years was what he asked for. In my opinion he was worth at least that.
Just to come full circle I asked whether he was worth a fourth year contract because Bailey himself said
Willow said:
how hard will it be when that time runs out?
not because he asked for a fourth year but because there was no guarantee for 2009 This has been said before
He now has a guarantee for 2009 2010 if there are no options in his contract
The Titans could well have bought 2010 cheaply because they were guaranteeing not only good money in 2008 but 2009 as well This is fine for them as a start up team with few stars but we cannot be so lenient
Imagine what Preacher would be saying about you
The Preacher said:
lack of foresight in recognising talent and watching players go on to play permenant first grade with other clubs
We have produced maybe three football sides in six years and the progress continues at a rapid pace You make choices
Craig Young Max Ninness and all others involved have a handle on what we need to do
If in consultation Bailey could only be offered a certain amount for 2008 or otherwise be negligent in their duties then you have to live with it
The only entities that are looking at where they need to be in 2008 and 2009 are the clubs their coaches their management and the players
The media may want you to think otherwise but long gone are the days where clubs are to blame because reasonable offers are enough to keep players or the opposing club hasnt got a chance to make the top eight and the players cant represent from another club
These players go for long term deals and big money offers when they feel they have to look after their interests
Ask the Bulldogs about Steven Price or now about Roy Asotasi and how they are more confident this year
They like us have concerns if there are injuries but that is the same for every team in a position or two Bulldogs lost three big forwards to keep the rest of the team together
We will have a dip in the individual play but as a group of forwards how the hooker and halfback played on Saturday is very promising for them to improve and be more than a good collection of names
So to put a fine point on it where does the fault lie for 2008 and therefore the loss of the deal
I myself would say there is no blame I would estimate that the management of the club and Bailey did their best to come to an agreement and they came with different contract lengths and amounts of money and couldnt find a resolution so they came up with something else They all had to concede something they wanted to achieve but not enough to keep Bailey at the Dragons There are pluses and minuses on all sides
However you want the story to be told you Williow cannot say where the blame lies I Wicks cannot either but I can challenge your sentimentality and aversion to understanding Bailey made a decision based on what the club could plausibly offer him
I didnt say it
