For my own interest Blade; what causes things to take longer? Is it because it is in the player’s (and manager’s) interests to have the negotiation span past 1 November? You would have to imagine that (in the case of the superstars like the four mentioned above) it is in the club’s interest to wrap up the discussion as soon as possible.
Or do I have that wrong? Apologies if I am asking the obvious question.
Money.
The higher profile player, the longer it takes. Some have cap clauses based on future cap rises, rep clauses, bonuses, want cars etc. And the big headache TPA"S. Some stall because they believe they will make a rep team.
Sometimes clubs stall because they need to move someone on for space.
All of the 4 players mentioned negotiations will start over the next 2 months. Yeo sooner.
All players want to maximise their salary and all clubs (the sensible ones) need to be frugal/stingy with the cap.
Usually both sides feel each other out for what they are seeking and offering. If their is a wide gap. The clubs will give the player a bit of time to think. Hoping to meet in the middle.
They can give him early permission to gauge his value.
That can backfire both ways. A surprise suitor happy to pay his asking price, or the player could suffer a serious injury.
The young players are the easiest to re-sign. May and Tago last year were easy. Just broke into the side. Very happy to stay and receive a generous upgrade on their previous salaries.
In Liam Martin's case. Negotiations started May last year. Were paused during Origin, started again. Paused due to a gap in value, paused due to the finals series. Then met in the middle, but finalisation wasn't done till after the WC and Christmas. Started in May last year finished in Feb this year.
To'o was easy. Both sides had a hint of what was on offer earlier in the year. But he waited till the end of the year. His agent had a brief look around, but he was never going anywhere. They got it all done in early December. A little bit of push back for an extra year. No dramas.
Some like to put on hold till the end of the year. They like to concentrate just on footy. Back themselves to perform.
Mitchell Moses is one of the worst examples going around now. The whole thing has been dragged out to hoover up every cent available. I have heard of that many revised offers from the Tigers and Eels it is not funny. Gould knew when to drop out. They think they are getting somewhere, then the goalposts change. Another demand.
You can have an agreement on length and money, then last minute some agents will ask for a rep bonus. Ok agreed, then they will ask for something else. It can go on and on sometimes.
Agents play games and don't get back to clubs. Clubs do the same if the agent is a headache.
Unless it is easy. It really is a bunch of mind games at times between both clubs and agents. Seeking to win one over each other.
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