No, you totally ignored my last post. You cannot make blanket statements about options unless you have intimate knowledge of the terms of each contract. These are not proforma documents with mirrored terms.
If I entertain your generalisation for a moment, why would Storm offer Harry Grant a player option or Roosters with The Cheese ? I I apply the same conclusions without actual knowledge of the contracts, then it must be the case that the Storm and Roosters are fools and have been bent over.
The answer really with all contract negotiations, whether they contain opinions or otherwise , is that the club will hold the cards IF they remain competitive and a desirable club for the best players. Players want a good environment, the chance to play rep footy and win a comp. Ultimately they will sign for less.
Have we slipped from the mantle since 2022, yes however we just signed Lomax, so that suggests that we are still a super model (who maybe just needs to hit the gym).
I totally get your view that the benefit has swayed away from us, however if that is indeed true, it is very fixable.