Where are they now??

[Brutus]

What is Grant Graving doing these days.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

As a warriors fan I was watching some YouTube highlights and tries from the incredible entertaining side of 2002 season the other day and was wondering what the likes of Clinton Toopi, Ali Lauiti’iti, Jerry Seuseu, Richard Villasanti and Brent Webb etc are doing these days and if they are still involved in RL today in some capacity?

Jerry and Ali.

 

[ThornlieBear]

Agree. We can't all be Kevvie and also have a coaching and commentary career post our playing career.

ps, Josh unfortunately never won a GF unless you were referring to Brett.

We?

 

[Apey]

Very very few NRL players get 'set for life' from their playing career earnings. Today the average wage for a top 30 NRL Player is $365k. Keep in mind the salary cap has doubled in the past 10 years, so guys who played over a deacde ago would have been around $150k average. Take out tax, manager, RLPA fees etc and it doesnt leave with the glamourous lifestyle a lot envisage.

One advantage they do have is that they pay for FA. Basically get given all clothing, supplements, a lot of meals etc

I mean that's all true, but they're not exactly the brains trust with managing their finances either.

 

[Murishido]

I mean that's all true, but they're not exactly the brains trust with managing their finances either.

To be fair most 20 somethings aren't

 

[Marshall_magic]

Very very few NRL players get 'set for life' from their playing career earnings. Today the average wage for a top 30 NRL Player is $365k. Keep in mind the salary cap has doubled in the past 10 years, so guys who played over a deacde ago would have been around $150k average. Take out tax, manager, RLPA fees etc and it doesnt leave with the glamourous lifestyle a lot envisage.

One advantage they do have is that they pay for FA. Basically get given all clothing, supplements, a lot of meals etc

A player who rides out a 10 year career at NRL level whilst maybe not setting themselves up for life, would be in a financially sound position compared to most 35 year olds.

I hired a wedding photographer who had previously worked for a club for almost a decade before starting his own business. He told us that many players retire from playing and their wives start up their own business (they often ask him to take photos for websites). Whilst I am sure a lot these businesses do well I am sure there are many which lose a lot of money.

 

[Jonty]

Nobody have any updates on “villa the gorilla”?

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Nobody have any updates on “villa the gorilla”?

Richard visited The Mad Butcher - Sir Peter Leitch, on Waiheke Island back in February. Not sure what he’s up to these days, but you can see some recent photos and read some good comments about him.

Sir Peter Charles Leitch

It was lovely to have Richard Villasanti visit me on Waiheke Island today we spent a lovely day together. I really enjoyed his company he played for the Warriors here in Auckland. And had a couple of...

www.facebook.com

 

[T-Boon]

It honestly blows my mind that ex professionals of the calibre of nadruku would be doing labouring work post retirement from RL.

100% was thinking the same thing. It is a black eye for league and probably sport in general that the generation who played when it went full time but before the really big money came in got nothing much to show for it. I can understand them being a bit resentful to the likes of Sterlo (and especially the likes of Cronk - who has totally double dipped or triple dipped if you factor in his situation while a player).

 

[T-Boon]

I live in Newcastle and can mention a few who are known to have done well.
Everyone knows Mark Hughes who has done great with his foundation and is a real humble leader in the community.
Adam McDougal an entrepreneur who cleaned up and made tens of millions with his man shake business.
Then there's a fella named I think Peter Johnston who played for Parra who owns cafes in Newy.
There is a few not well-known players who have become lawyers.
Shane Whereat is a schoolteacher in the upper hunter.

I think more of them should get into school teaching. Like that is an example of what they should get into instead of laboring (nothing wrong with laboring except its tough on the body and not enough dosh or I imagine job satisfaction).

 

[Trifili13]

Didn't Ron Coote and a few of the other Souths players of his era get into businesses (Macca's I think) and make some decent money. Also a few of the older players used to get into pub ownership. Steve Bowden from Newtown owned a few and the Crow down at Gerringong.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Didn't Ron Coote and a few of the other Souths players of his era get into businesses (Macca's I think) and make some decent money. Also a few of the older players used to get into pub ownership. Steve Bowden from Newtown owned a few and the Crow down at Gerringong.

Ron Coote was probably one of the first to buy into the McDonalds franchises post retirement and others wouldve followed suit.

I believe Gary Coyne, ex Raider and QLDer, did the same after he retired and still owns a few in Queensland

I do like the fold out chair segment on The Fan where they update what the ex player is doing, for example Tim Brasher I believe doing some sort of accounting in Newcastle, Brent Sherwin driving trucks in Sydney. Also on Youtube, Sporting News Australia did a few RL players like Jamie Goddard, David Hosking, John Jones, Matt Seers, some good videos.

 

[Tiger5150]

Richard visited The Mad Butcher - Sir Peter Leitch, on Waiheke Island back in February. Not sure what he’s up to these days, but you can see some recent photos and read some good comments about him.

Sir Peter Charles Leitch

It was lovely to have Richard Villasanti visit me on Waiheke Island today we spent a lovely day together. I really enjoyed his company he played for the Warriors here in Auckland. And had a couple of...

www.facebook.com

Hope the butcher checked his wallet after he left.

 

[JamesRustle]

Very very few NRL players get 'set for life' from their playing career earnings. Today the average wage for a top 30 NRL Player is $365k. Keep in mind the salary cap has doubled in the past 10 years, so guys who played over a deacde ago would have been around $150k average. Take out tax, manager, RLPA fees etc and it doesnt leave with the glamourous lifestyle a lot envisage.

One advantage they do have is that they pay for FA. Basically get given all clothing, supplements, a lot of meals etc

I agree with you.

Also, who wants to sit on their arse from age 35? Retiring elite athletes generally want to do something productive and stimulating for the next 35 years of their lives. I know a few former Sharks and Dragons players from the early-mid 90s who, through footy, mostly own their home and have a few investments by the time they finished footy. Now tradies or local business (owners/employees) who are actively involved in their communities and supporting their kids sport and local teams.

Most non footy players I know didn't own their own home by 35, so that is something I hope current young footy players are encouraged to do - invest while your disposable income is at its highest... before you get married and have kids!