BunniesMan
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Very strong words from one of the best footy brains around. I agree with every word. Things have to change bigtime.If you dig deep down into every aspect of what's happened here, I dare say the latest contract fiasco between the Parramatta Eels and Manly star Kieran Foran exposes all that is wrong with our game.
Just think about it for a minute.
The whole thing has become a joke. It's an embarrassing joke. Our code must be a laughing stock among the sporting organisations, not just in Australia, but throughout the world.
I feel really sorry for Kieran. I will talk more about him in a moment.
However, I feel infinitely more pain for the game of rugby league. If this latest farce is not enough to finally instigate action then nothing will.
For far too long, NRL management has fumbled along introducing adhoc rules and regulations based mainly on knee-jerk reactions to the perceived problem of the day. Player movement between clubs, player development, pathways competitions, salary cap models, qualification rules, scheduling of matches; I could go on and on. It goes even further into the rules of our game, judiciary, refereeing procedures, video refereeing; the list is endless.
It's easier for the game's leaders to brand people like myself as whingers, standing on the outside of the tent throwing stones, rather than actually addressing and finding solutions to the real problems facing our game.
The movement of players between clubs needs to be regulated. Current salary cap models need to be restructured. Competitions and player development pathways need to be revised and conditioned to the needs of the modern game.
There is so much more I could talk about, but I won't go into that today because, quite frankly, it gives me a headache.
Aside from the inadequacies of our current procedures around player movement and contract negotiations, let's just stop to think for a moment about the fact that Kieran Foran's management felt it necessary to insert such an extraordinary escape and release clause in the player's contract. Given the history of the Parramatta club, to protect the client's best interests, the player manager put forward the most extraordinary escape and compensation clause we have ever witnessed. What does that say about Parramatta? What does that say about our game?
Given the fact that someone in charge at Parramatta actually accepted this clause? Well, I can only assume they did so out of sheer desperation to sign such a quality player. What does that say about Parramatta? What does it say about our game?
The market for quality players in the NRL has gone crazy. In most parts the price of players is being set by the desperation of lower-placed clubs. The extraordinary contract values we are seeing are damaging to the game. These inflated numbers also trickle down through every part of the playing rosters and into development contracts for youngsters and unproven talent, costing the game millions of dollars each year on perceived potential and dreams, rather than an investment in something that's actually going to bring value to your team or club. I feel sorry for the tradesmen and middle-tier-type players in our game, because they get the leftovers when it comes to their share of the limited wage pools.
Anyway, most of us who work at the coalface of rugby league can identify the real problems in our game that need to be addressed. Let's hope they find someone down there in the big tent you can actually do something about it.
Let's talk Kieran Foran.
Should he accept a revised contract offer at Parramatta on different terms to the ones he agreed to only a matter of months ago? Should he turn his back on the Eels and remain at Manly on reduced money and then go through the courts to sue Parramatta for the difference?
Or should he should he leave this disappointing little passage of his life behind and start again on finding another club?
The star Manly playmaker has been placed in an unenviable position.
Actually, if you stop to give it a bit of thought, we could all probably envy being in his position. He's fit, strong and healthy. He is a good style of bloke. He'll turn 25 in a few weeks. He is playing football for a living; and over the next four years he's going to earn about $5 million for something he loves doing. Truth be told, he would probably still play rugby league for nothing.
I think they call these First World problems. Yeah, we should all be so unlucky in life.
Let's put everything into perspective. Whatever happens from this point in time, whichever team colours he ends up wearing next year, please rest easy, because Kieran Foran is going to be just fine.
But we totally understand his dilemma and the confusion he must be feeling. Not to mention the disappointment he must feel towards people in whom he had invested tremendous trust.
Apart from being a talented rugby league player, Kieran is also obviously a young man of integrity, who places great importance on values like loyalty, trust, honesty, friendship and team work. Above all else though, he wants his "word" to mean something.
He made a decision some months ago to leave Manly at the end of the 2015 season and commit to a four-year contract with the Parramatta Eels. As far as he was concerned, the decision was made, the deal was done, he would do his best for the Sea Eagles until the final siren of their final game; he would then move on to a new club.
Having made the biggest decision of his life to date, Kieran wants to stand by his word. He obviously fears damage to his reputation if he now decides to walk away from Parramatta and do a deal somewhere else.
That's his dilemma. Fear of what others might say.
From the outside looking in here, and without being privy to the conversations, processes and dealings that have preceded this current situation, I can't see where Kieran has anything to worry about. Right from the start he has handled this negotiation as privately and as professionally as he could. He didn't change his mind. He didn't come back and say he'd made a mistake. He didn't suddenly ask for more money. It's Parramatta who has moved the goal posts.
I don't think anyone would blame young Kieran if he walked away and pursued his future somewhere else.
We can talk about the Parramatta club another time. I don't deal in rumours. Other people's problems and grievances are none of my concern, despite the fact that wherever you go, there is always someone trying to tell you a story about problems with this club.
I have written many times over the years in this column about the tremendous potential of this Parramatta brand. This club could easily be the "jewel in the crown" of Australian sport if someone could just get a hold of the reins and steer them down the right path.
Parramatta has not won a first grade premiership since 1986, despite the fact they have dominated premierships in elite junior representative competitions over this period of time. The club is wealthy, well positioned, well intentioned, with an incredible and passionate supporter base. I must say that everyone I have ever met from Parramatta is a good person and displays a great love and passion for the club. That's what makes this all the more confusing. With all these people seemingly pushing to make Parramatta successful, why does the club keep tail-spinning into failure?
Despite the fact this club has absolutely everything going for it, we have witnessed a revolving door of coaches, CEOs and players, constantly coming and going from the place. It seems every year we also have to put up with the boring public coverage of the ongoing saga of their board elections as protagonists fight their cause through friends and contacts in the media.
It's sad. You kind of find yourself wincing in embarrassment every time a new drama reveals itself.
I can't see any reason why Foran would be criticised if he just threw his hands in the air and said to his manager, "I don't need this rubbish. Get me a good deal with another club."
From the time I first saw Kieran play, I have been a fan. At 25 years of age, his best football and the best part of his career is still in front of him.
In my opinion, he should be placing himself in a club with strong coaching, a strong playing roster, and a history of success. He will be well paid wherever he goes, but it's the big games, the big crowds, the chance to play in grand finals and win premierships; these are the things he will remember most when it's all over.
Life is too short. Careers only last so long. Put yourself with people who are proven winners.
Kieran, do what's best for you.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...re-all-nnn-nnn-vars-o&sa=D&usg=ALhdy28zsr6qiq
