Radradra's days are numbered
Sadly for Parramatta fans, the worst is still to come in relation to Semi Radradra with the very real possibility that all of his private issues are about to become public. And if that happens it will make the likelihood of a long-term commitment at the club slim. He is deeply unhappy off the field. He has been living with friends and has not approached his football with the professionalism, in terms of preparation, that he should. He has been getting by on pure talent – something he has miles of.
It will take considerable work from the Parramatta welfare department and coach Brad Arthur to bring him back to where the club needs him to be. He is also dealing with his father's poor health in Fiji and the need to support family in his homeland.
I wore plenty of criticism for daring to break the news that Semi was on a plane to Fiji, and saying he's not coming back. He told those close to him that he was done with Parramatta, the NRL and Australia, and the club knew of his intentions, but were not having a bar of it.
The Eels made inquiries with the NRL about Semi having a stint in French rugby from August to April – maybe earlier if the Eels' season was mathematically over. That was before the magnitude of his situation became known publicly.
There is an agreement between Semi and French club Bordeaux for a short contract worth around $500,000 after tax. Written into that contract was a clause that if the NRL would not give him a release, he could exit the game. None of this should have been a shock for the Eels.
Radradra's confirmation that he was facing an uncertain future the day after the Eels put out their second media release of the week denying there was a problem sent a shiver through the Eels. The Eels tried to present a story that Jarryd Hayne and Radradra would be playing with the club next year. That's a way off – and even if Semi does return, it's difficult to see him being here as his personal problems multiply.
