Question about retention policy

[lucablight]

I remember a few weeks ago coach Hagan wrote an article in the Australian where he talked about how a player wanted to be released because he couldn't get an opportunity here. In the same article he mentioned how the release would probably be granted however he was against it happening mid-season because even if you aren't going to use the player by releasing him you are giving your opponents an advantage. I'm assuming that player was Zeb Taia so I was wondering why he was let go after what Hagan initially said?

 

[Eelementary]

He's probably doing what's best for the club and for Taia. Taia was clearly not in Hagan's plans (and fair enough). Taia asks for a release and Hagan uses that cash to top up some salaries or to make a signing or two that are realtively unknowkn.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Taia is decent player, but he's know different to say a Todd Lowrie, Peter Cusak, relaible players who will do the job, however lack X factor attributes, totally agree with Hages.

However Zeb sh*ts all over John Williams, that guy is just sh*t ordinary and i'd rather Scott Minto.

 

[NT_Eelsfan]

but theyre like 3 diff positions right?

Zeb is 2nd row
John Williams is a winger and Minto is a centre

 

[lucablight]

The main question I'm asking here is what did we gain by releasing him early and why the change of heart after what Hagan wrote?

 

[parraitdoesmatta]

by releasing him now, we are assured a certain amount of money to spend on a player/players. By refusing to release him at this moment and holding out to the end of the year, he may not have a club to go to than we are liable to keep him or continue paying for him while he is in reggies, he may also dig his heels in and not want to go to another club as we didnt release him earlier. So now the $70,000-$90,000 that he was earning (example) can be topped up towards J Hayne maybe, Inu or whoever for next year.

 

[hineyrulz]

Taia is decent player, but he's know different to say a Todd Lowrie, Peter Cusak, relaible players who will do the job, however lack X factor attributes, totally agree with Hages.

However Zeb sh*ts all over John Williams, that guy is just sh*t ordinary and i'd rather Scott Minto.

Not a fan of J Williams Ron? :lol:

 

[Utey]

Get over it Ronny. John isn't at the club

 

[Stagger eel]

by releasing him now, we are assured a certain amount of money to spend on a player/players. By refusing to release him at this moment and holding out to the end of the year, he may not have a club to go to than we are liable to keep him or continue paying for him while he is in reggies, he may also dig his heels in and not want to go to another club as we didnt release him earlier. So now the $70,000-$90,000 that he was earning (example) can be topped up towards J Hayne maybe, Inu or whoever for next year.

doesn't affect a single thing, because when I asked the same question to Tony Zappia regarding the availability of funds from Zeb's contract, he just said that he's outside the 25 and wouldn't make a difference to the cap in the fulltime squad.

despite the fact that I thought he was in the top 25 and and part of the fulltime squad.

 

[Stagger eel]

The main question I'm asking here is what did we gain by releasing him early and why the change of heart after what Hagan wrote?

it's difficult to say why but, from what I understand, Zeb's been wanting to go for a very long time and it took until last weekend for everything to be finalised, as much as Hages probably didn't want to do it, at the same time you have to assess the situation at our club and than look at Zebs closely before you made the decision.

* Zeb has fallen behind in the pecking order for firstgrade, he is now behind Hauraki and Lowrie as well as the current squad that are playing firstgrade.

* the squad as it is now, is relatively healthy and we haven't had to use Zeb too many times thius year.

* Zebs form in the past month with the exception of last weekend was ordinary and his mind obviously wasn't on the job, maybe it was best to cut him loose now.

* He had signed a 3 year deal with the chance to stake a claim for firstgrade and I'm sure he'd pleading that to Hages for a while.

* and as a personal opinion, you also have to ask yourself, is this guy going to really benefit an opposition??

I don't think Hage's turned had a change of heart with the situation he just assesed our situation closely and did reiterate the fact in a recent article about how he hated the mid season player movements and wished that it stopped, but with the June 30 deadline is no longer appliciable, and player mangers are getting in the ear of their clients as well as the high injury toll to some clubs makes it very difficult to stop.

 

[Phillips]

Not a fan of J Williams Ron? :lol:

he might deny it, but RJ loves John Williams.. sexually

 

[mickdo]

with the June 30 deadline is no longer appliciable

Well to clarify, the restriction is still there for not being able to play for another club after June 30 that year, but yes the signing restriction before June 30 is gone.

 

[Stagger eel]

Well to clarify, the restriction is still there for not being able to play for another club after June 30 that year, but yes the signing restriction before June 30 is gone.

yeah, that's what i meant ;-)

 

[COACH STERLING]

Hagan chose Wagan instead of Zeb.

It appears to be a wise decision now, but lets see in 2-3 years time.

 

[Stagger eel]

Hagan chose Wagan instead of Zeb.

It appears to be a wise decision now, but lets see in 2-3 years time.

when the likes of Marty Lewis and Tony Williams are killing it in firstgrade?? ;-)

btw, I believe we're playing to win the comp this year and not in 2010.

 

[COACH STERLING]

when the likes of Marty Lewis and Tony Williams are killing it in firstgrade?? ;-)

btw, I believe we're playing to win the comp this year and not in 2010.

I can't say much about the likes of Marty Lewis, Tony Williams, Tim Mannah as I havent seen enough of them, but I trust your judgement with this one as I noticed alot of people on this forum jumping up and down over them.

I was a little suprised to see Wags (who I dont mind) being retained infront of Zeb. On talent alone Zeb offers more than what most people give him credit for. I've no doubt Zeb will be rep quality one day.

Also, the premiership this year is a very realistic possiblity, btw, I think we have the best 3/4 line in the comp, and if Timmy and Finchy show a glimmer of form, then look out. ;-)

 

[Stagger eel]

I can't say much about the likes of Marty Lewis, Tony Williams, Tim Mannah as I havent seen enough of them, but I trust your judgement with this one as I noticed alot of people on this forum jumping up and down over them.

I was a little suprised to see Wags (who I dont mind) being retained infront of Zeb. On talent alone Zeb offers more than what most people give him credit for. I've no doubt Zeb will be rep quality one day.

Also, the premiership this year is a very realistic possiblity, btw, I think we have the best 3/4 line in the comp, and if Timmy and Finchy show a glimmer of form, then look out. ;-)

just remember that Zeb is currently 22 and imo, his game was not going to progress anymre than what it is at the moment, I think he needed a change of clubs more than Newcastle need him at the moment.

just on Wags, the guy is an old pro, hardhead with an amazing work ethic who has alot of fans amongst his own teammates, they just love playing with him, can you imagine what sort of player he could of been had he not been hampered with his back problem for the last 3 years??

 

[COACH STERLING]

just remember that Zeb is currently 22 and imo, his game was not going to progress anymre than what it is at the moment, I think he needed a change of clubs more than Newcastle need him at the moment.

just on Wags, the guy is an old pro, hardhead with an amazing work ethic who has alot of fans amongst his own teammates, they just love playing with him, can you imagine what sort of player he could of been had he not been hampered with his back problem for the last 3 years??

Zeb has a lot more development left in him, and I think Brian Smith has realised that. Forwards tend to develop in their early to mid 20's, and peak towards 30. Great examples are Webcke, Cinnoveceva, Fitzgibbon & Ricketson. All were nothing special when they kicked off their careers. I also think someone like Mateo will just get better and better ala Jim Dymock & Jason Smith.

There's nothing wrong with Wags being in the team, but a big reason why he was retained for the extra season was the Influence of other senior player like Hindy, Caylo & Guru. Atleast thats the impression i have.....

 

[btaag]

One of Smithy's problems was that he developed plenty of promising kids, but many of them left before making the grade - we were the NRL's youth development team (even more so than usual).

Clubs could offer a reasonable contract to a Parra kid that had been effectively developed by us who had solid fundamentals, and not bother developing their own. Galea, Seargent, Armit etc are examples.

The call previously that we are out to win the 2007 Grand final is a valid one, if Wagon would be a better option now, we should go with him. If Taia is not going to cop being a reserve, we have players as good as him that can replace him in the future and fdor this year Wagon does the job as well.

 

[lucablight]

I thought Zeb was a player of some promise even if he struggled in the few games he played after his debut. In yesterdays game I believe he gained more metres than any other forward at around 170m. By releasing him early we have given an advantage to our opposition. I can understand the decision from a compassionate point of view but I find it strange it was done considering what the coach wrote earlier in the year especially since we aren't gaining any advantage.