Vuna on Lookout For Early Release!

[Alex28]

This is the question - why is he unhappy? Is he unhappy because:

* He hasn't had the cruisy ride back in to first grade that he expected?
* He doesn't have the discipline that the club expects and thinks he can get an easier ride somewhere else?
* Is annoyed that the club is disciplining him for his off-field issues (and resulting breach of contract)?
* Just isn't happy at Newcastle?

Given he has been reported to be such a great clubman by all and sundry here this year during his recovery from injury I'm predicting it isn't the last. So what is it...he expected a free ride back in to first grade and it hasn't happened?

I'll predict point 2 and 3...it says something about his discipline that there are backline positions available and he is being overlooked by the likes of Lulia and Naiqama. Maybe he can get an easier ride somewhere else...

Is this beginning to sound a little like Owen Craigie?

 

[Jono078]

Isn't Cooper off contract? (The new Daily Telegraph article suggests so - http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/files/playersdum2.pdf) I mean if his manager wasn't shopping him around he wouldn't be doing his job.

 

[Karmawave]

Isn't Cooper off contract? (The new Daily Telegraph article suggests so - http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/files/playersdum2.pdf) I mean if his manager wasn't shopping him around he wouldn't be doing his job.

I think a few on the list are wrong mate. Including Vuna. Faa Oso just re-signed with us, and he is on the list too.

 

[Jono078]

I'm really not sure with Vuna, i'm pretty sure he is still off contract along with Lulia, I remember making a post a bit ago now saying id be upset if Vuna wasn't re-signed ahead of a couple of our other backs.

 

[Big Tim]

2 points.

No , the club should not necessarily stand in the way of players, but it is not without precedent. If the club truly felt he was of real value and the club felt he was our best option in that position, he WOULD be blocked from leaving, and made to play out his contract. Look at Frank Pritchard at Penrith. It is all relative to the talent and overall skill of the player in question.

The other point is, by saying we don't necessarily NEED Vuna, the club is holding both Wes Naiqama and Keith Lulia in higher regard.

Wrong.

McManus + Uate.

Honestly, I wonder if you lack common sense, or just twist arguments to suit your pov.

2 wings, 2 players who have proven to be #1 choice by the club.

As a young man I wouldnt be happy being the #3 winger in a club and I would want to look at options of being in a starting side.

Whether Lulia and Wes are in front of him is irrelevant, as your NEED by the club is shown by not being 1 or 2.

As far as WANT, he is definately wanted as McManus has been a rep player, and now injured, and Uate has had his injuries and also family beliefs that have required someone to step up.

 

[Serc]

And Cooper maybe feels that if his unfit/fat performance earlier this year was anything to go by, it was already at a level better than his rivals?

I'd agree with him.

I'd agree too...but thats one of the problems we used to have - decent players who enjoyed the old boys club where all they had to do was turn up to the team bus or EAS each week to get a run.

Its fantastic this has changed with the coach and system we now have (which as we all know you don't rate )

 

[Karmawave]

McManus + Uate.

And? Wes and Lulia.

It seems Vuna is ranked below all 4 of them right now.

I agree with you Tim, but its a two way street. I personally think the Knights would prefer him to leave to free up some cap space, and its also possible that things changed when it was revealed Chase Stanley is going elsewhere. I believe the Stanley situation had a major impact on Vuna.

 

[Big Tim]

If he is over weight and not meeting his expectations, no doubt.

At the same time, I am sure they are aware of the talent they hold. Having someone like that who could fill in for a Uate or McManus without missing a beat, no doubt.

Lulia comes close to that, Wes does not.

 

[Pika]

I dont think there is a player in the Club that the Knights would not allow to explore other options if they are not happy here.

It has nothing to do with not wanting them.

Simply, like any walk of life, if you can find a better offer elsewhere, then you are welcome to it.

Whether it be DeGois or Patterson, if they came to the Club and said I am looking around, I cant see the Club saying anything but 'you are free to do that'.

 

[Karmawave]

I dont think there is a player in the Club that the Knights would not allow to explore other options if they are not happy here.

It has nothing to do with not wanting them.

Simply, like any walk of life, if you can find a better offer elsewhere, then you are welcome to it.

Whether it be DeGois or Patterson, if they came to the Club and said I am looking around, I cant see the Club saying anything but 'you are free to do that'.

Frank Pritchard.

Some players are too talented to just release Pika, and there's been situations where players have been released on the proviso it is not to another NRL club.

The Knights would be stupid to just let players have their own way with things, especially when a contract was agreed to.

Most people in any walk of life are not ' contracted ' to their workplace.

 

[Pika]

We are not talking about whether we let him go or not.

We are talking about whther he is still wanted by the Club.

You suggested he wasnt simply because he was told to feel free to look at his options.

I disagree.

I think you draw a long bow in suggesting the Club does not want him simply because he has been allowed to feel around the market.

 

[Karmawave]

We are not talking about whether we let him go or not.

We are talking about whther he is still wanted by the Club.

You suggested he wasnt simply because he was told to feel free to look at his options.

I disagree.

I think you draw a long bow in suggesting the Club does not want him simply because he has been allowed to feel around the market.

No I'm saying that it takes two sides of the story to come up with the Vuna situation. There's a possibility the club doesn't want him as badly as we all may want to think. I'm suggesting there's a possibility that the attempt/failure to sign Chase Stanley has had a big part on the situation as well, and basically that Vuna need not be the one to look like the bad guy in this.

There's always two sides to everything, and from a common sense point of view, and going off what other NRL teams have done before, I struggle to see why a club would let a guy go if they consider him valuable.

Penrith didn't with Pritchard, and other clubs have only let guys who are valuable go to a place anywhere but a rival NRL team.

You've suggested the Knights take a different approach, and fair enough... Doesn't really sit right with me personally, thats all.

From an outsiders point of view, Chase Stanley changed the whole thing.

 

[Alex28]

Yesterdays Herald article suggests he is contracted until the end of next year - not this year.