Fans fed up with price of Gaz
By David Hall
July 16, 2008 RUGBY league fans would rather say goodbye to money-hungry NRL players than abolish the salary cap or change the system to keep big names, according to a Foxsports.com.au poll.
St George Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier is the latest high-profile player to be lured by the big bucks on offer from European clubs, opting for a switch to rugby union with French side Stade Francais.
More than 3000 league fans have voted in our online poll on how they believe the player exodus to cashed-up overseas clubs can be stopped - with a strong majority saying the NRL should just let them go.
Many Foxsports.com.au users voted that the NRL should look to abolish the salary cap and increase players wages in order to keep our biggest stars at home - but in the current economic climate, it is perhaps not surprising that the majority are not convinced by players claims that they arent paid enough.
Gasniers decision has split the league community, leaving many fans once again bemoaning the seeming lack of loyalty in modern players.
As Dragons fans face up to losing their best player at the end of the season, many have turned against their captain and are already looking to the future with incoming coach Wayne Bennett.
Just as in our poll, supporters have made their feelings clear on fan websites.
You have ruined that fine name you carry. You have even ruined the World Cup that you endorsed. Of course its about the dollar. Don't shift blame. You let everyone down, posted Redwhitedragon.
My biggest wish is that he never comes back. I wonder how the blokes who took pay cuts to keep him and Barrett feel now? Next year and Wayne Bennett can't come quickly enough! said Bazookabarry
Steve Murphy of Wollongong commented: Were asked to drive 70km in the cold to watch games in empty stadiums that cost a fortune. People like Gaz forget the fans paying to watch made him what he is today.
Gasniers decision has also stirred up debate among those who have played the game.
Queensland and Brisbane great Gorden Tallis wrote in his newspaper column that the Dragons will not miss the underperforming Gasnier and that the skippers motivations are all too clear.
The simple reason Gasnier wants out is cash and cash alone, Tallis said. That's fine - I like an earn as much as the next guy - but Gasnier shouldn't pretend his motivation is anything else.
I know Gasnier and I like the guy, but in the end rugby league has done more than enough to keep him in the NRL. If he still wants to go, hand his Test, Origin and Dragons jumpers to a kid that really wants to be here.
New South Wales legend Andrew Johns has commented that if the NRL dont do more to stop the likes of Gasnier from being tempted abroad, it wont be long before all our best players head north in search of riches.
Gasnier is just the tip of the iceberg, Johns said. The real fear now is what happens when these cashed-up European rugby clubs come after the Inglis', the Slaters and the Folaus of our game.
All league fans understand the NRL is battling in an increasingly competitive sports market, both in terms of dollars and participation, and to try to match the bottomless pockets of European clubs would be foolhardy.
If, as so many players say, they play in the NRL out of love for the game, at what price does that love cease? And if the likes of Gasnier cant accept a wage of in the region of half a million dollars per season, its no wonder Foxsports.com.au users say the NRL doesnt need the blokes.
