bluesbreaker said:
200k, That's disgusting. JM, I've got a lot of time for you and your opinions, you know your stuff and you seem like a smart guy, but why are you excited about this? Do you think that Perry will just wake up and start playing better because we re-signed him? He just seems to be chronically f**king lazy, and there is _no-one_ at the Knights right now that can whip his fat ass into shape.
I still have the hope that Josh will return to the form that earned him an Origin call-up.
At the beginning of next year he will turn 25. This is the age where I think he'll begin to recognise himself as a senior member of the team. 25 is an age in football when players begin to mature mentally.
His form this year has been alot better than what it has been. I think Josh has realised that he is now completely out of favour in representative teams and will get out of his comfort zone.
He played damn awesome on Sunday and with Newton was the only player who really had any go forward in attack. He was something we sorely lacked earlier this season. I know others think otherwise, but I genuinely think Perry was desperate to win on Saturday. I saw him make several tackles covering for other players. He wasn't playing for himself that day.
But let's be honest here. Props are worth a motza nowadays. There aren't many with Perry's ability left. f**king nuffies like Keith Galloway and Learoyd Lahrs are demanding in excess of $200K per year, whilst Ryan O'Hara is getting close to $300K.
I think the Knights original offer will fire Perry up to perform in future. He seemed genuinely hurt by the offer, and by reading his comments you could tell he would be desperate to prove them wrong. I think it'll give him the focus he needs. Mal Reilly will help too.
I know Josh hasn't been the most popular guy on the forums, but I still hold the dream that he will mature as a player to be the force we know he can be. If he continues to do sh*t all then I will happily admit I was wrong and will be happy to see him out of the club come 2008. But I still think Josh has what it takes to become known as one of the most destructive front-rowers in the business.
As I said, I'll admit I was wrong if he struggles. But if Perry picks up his game next year and comes back in representaive contention...well I'll be the first to say "I told you so".
)