Widdop seeks release

[Dragonslayer]

Analizing this a bit more, there seems more to the story than just homesickness and I think this just a cover for the real reason........his shoulder.

First reports was that Widdop sought an "immediate" release. I have a feeling that he sought this release not long after his shoulder surgery, hence, the sudden interest in Hayne. Like Mann, he may have been granted said release if a suitable replacement could be found. Hayne is now off the table.
Now, the reports are he will stay for 2019, giving us plenty of time to persue a suitable replacement.
Add to this than Norman was suggested more than a few weeks ago now as the intended target. We all commented on where would he play, now we have our answer.
We have had zero recruitement updates since near the end of the past season, and with so much going on behind the scenes i now understand why.
Widdop seeing out his playing career in ESL makes sense now as I dont think his shoulder can be permanently fixed, and hence why we wont let Mann go.
All fits together now.

 

[2010]

This all started with a post by the Mole. Take that for what it’s worth.
I will wait and see if any confirmation by the club is made.

 

[Outlaw Pete]

Surely the Club should put out a statement re Widdop without the usual Doustisms

 

[to_ddeath]

Did you miss Lomax missing a penalty goal right in front of the “sticks” against Newcastle?

Even Lafai is a better goalkicker.

You are a moron, nothing but hot air as usual
#bringbackquinlanlolz

 

[hazzbeen]

100% true. He has asked for a release.. but not immediate. He’ll be with us next year but likely not in 2020

Well won't he cop some if he does stay on for 1 more year , and dosnt play well ......

 

[SBD82]

Well won't he cop some if he does stay on for 1 more year , and dosnt play well ......

My thoughts exactly.

The phrase "just go now" will get a massive workout in here.

 

[since77]

Shitting on a goalkickers overall ability because of a single shank is one of the lowest footy iq things I've ever heard

Well Saint Jimmy has never demonstrated a high footy iq......he’s still convinced Mc Inness is no better than Rein....

 

[WoyD4LWoy]

I read on NRL.com he seeking a release after 2019 season..hopefully he might change his mind if we sack Mary before that time comes

 

[Overseas dragon]

well my take on this .GARETH WIDDOP is extremely hard to replace if this rumour is true .as a wee boy of 12 i came to sydney with my parents ,i think you might find it has something to do with his desire to be near his grand parents .the fact that he recently signed a new contract is the part thats hard to comprehend ,plus winning a premiership has always been something gareth wanted .lets not persecute the boy till we get the facts shall we .

 

[ouryears]

Well won't he cop some if he does stay on for 1 more year , and dosnt play well ......

True hazzbeen, though any player on 800k a year needs to play consistently well and be in the top 3 players week on week, that’s what they get the bucks for, to perform.

Ben Hunt cops the same.

Funny how Fritz, Sims and others can deliver week after week, why should our key play makers be different? Look at the criticism Pearce copped, and even Cronk for the first half of 2018.... Widdop needs to perform week on week, and do it well.

 

[possm]

How about this for 2019.
1.Widdop
6.Norman
7.Hunt
9.McInness

If they have the cap to sign Norman and a first grade prop and keep Mann Ithink we have the squad to do well:

1. Widdop
2. Pearson
3. Lomax
4. Mann
5. Pereira or the Fijian
6. Norman
7. Hunt

 

[Old Timer]

True hazzbeen, though any player on 800k a year needs to play consistently well and be in the top 3 players week on week, that’s what they get the bucks for, to perform.

Ben Hunt cops the same.

Funny how Fritz, Sims and others can deliver week after week, why should our key play makers be different? Look at the criticism Pearce copped, and even Cronk for the first half of 2018.... Widdop needs to perform week on week, and do it well.

In all honesty not even Firizz, Sims or JDB deliver every week, there are games they have where, they are almost non existent or ineffective and the reasons for that are many and varied.
The issue with the playmakers like Widdop is that anything remotely off is highly visible and offered up as the reason why the team lost.
What about the games where the forwards were dominated and the halves had no room to do anything, is it just their fault?
Lots of playmakers have off days however with the best teams when that happens others step into the breach and our 2 - 5 and often our 7 have never done that consistently.
Lots of games last year where Widdop didn't play, others failed to step up and how did that work out for us?
This post is not an exercise of saying Widdop is Mr Wonderful it is just trying to get the balance of the argument right.

 

[ouryears]

jeez we're quick to lay the boot in....

Not me, I have never rated him.
Tell me one key game he has ever brought home the bacon in?
Sims and Co got us the win vs broncos in the semi
Or a close finals match he has ever closed out for us?
Or ......oh never mind, never liked him as a player
So didn’t turn on him

 

[ouryears]

In all honesty not even Firizz, Sims or JDB deliver every week, there are games they have where, they are almost non existent or ineffective and the reasons for that are many and varied.
The issue with the playmakers like Widdop is that anything remotely off is highly visible and offered up as the reason why the team lost.
What about the games where the forwards were dominated and the halves had no room to do anything, is it just their fault?
Lots of playmakers have off days however with the best teams when that happens others step into the breach and our 2 - 5 and often our 7 have never done that consistently.
Lots of games last year where Widdop didn't play, others failed to step up and how did that work out for us?
This post is not an exercise of saying Widdop is Mr Wonderful it is just trying to get the balance of the argument right.

Fair enough Old Timer, he has had a few good games.
Issue is compared to Cronk and others, he is under whelming
I crave for someone tougher, harder, a bit more mongrel, more passion, hates losing more, someone that other teams hate, not someone other teams think is a good bloke
Look how Cronk directs his team and is so demanding of them
Never ever have I seen this in Widdop

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


Widdop set to leave Dragons after 2019 season
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 28 Nov 2018, 08:29 AM

St George Illawarra captain Gareth Widdop is set to leave the Dragons at the end of next season for the chance at a "fairy tale" end to his career in England.

The England playmaker, who was on a scholarship with Halifax before moving to Melbourne with his family as a teenager, has told St George Illawarra officials of his passion to play in Super League while still at the peak of his game.

Widdop, recovering from shoulder surgery that sidelined him from the recent Test series defeat of New Zealand, turns 30 in March and wants to move to England next season or in 2020.

He is contracted to St George Illawarra until the end of the 2021 season but it is expected the club will release him from the final two years of the deal to return to England.

A number of Super League clubs would be keen on Widdop's services if he was available but it is unlikely any have the money to accommodate the signing of a player of his standing for next season, with Huddersfield officials telling reporters in England they were not in a position to make an offer now.

Wigan and Hull FC appear to be the most likely options as they would have a marquee spot available in their rosters.

Widdop has played 185 NRL matches for the Dragons and Storm but has repeatedly stated since making his debut with Melbourne in 2010 that he wanted to play in Super League at some stage during his career.

In an interview while in England for the 2015 Test series against the Kiwis, Widdop said it would be a "fairy tale to end my career here".

Signings Tracker: Confirmed 2019 squads & contracts

St George Illawarra in 2019
Where will the Dragons finish?

St George Illawarra in 2019 Where will the Dragons finish?

• They'll be premiers
  0%
• In the finals but no title
  0%
• Just miss out on the playoffs
  0%
• Around the bottom of the ladder
  0%

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/11/28/gareth-widdop-set-to-leave-dragons-after-2019-season/

 

[getsmarty]

Report: Gareth Widdop shocks Dragons with release request
Dragons playmaker Gareth Widdop has shocked club officials after asking for a release with three years left on his contract.

St George Illawarra Dragons’ playmaker Gareth Widdop has shocked club officials after asking for an immediate release from the joint venture.

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting the English international cited homesickness as the reason for wanting to leave the club despite having three years remaining on his $1 million-a-year contract.

Widdop combined with big-money signing Ben Hunt to lead the Dragons to the finals last season before shoulder injuries forced the star five-eighth to undergo off-season surgery.

The shock announcement could leave the door open for the Dragons to target unwanted Warriors star Shaun Johnson.

Gareth Widdop. Picture: GettySource:Getty Images

Johnson, the face of rugby league in New Zealand, is on the verge of quitting his beloved Warriors after requesting a formal release on Tuesday from the final year of his contract in 2019.

The Warriors are yet to offer Johnson a contract beyond 2019 and several clubs had already made discreet inquiries after the 28-year old.

Johnson has reportedly not taken the news well given he is used to being one of the club’s priority re-signings since he debuted in 2011.

The New Zealand international took to Facebook to tell his side of the story and confirmed he would “spread my wings and see what’s out there.”

But it’s the Dragons biggest rival Cronulla who are in the box seat to lure the 28-year-old Kiwi Test halfback, with a potential four-year offer in the pipeline.

The circling Sharks are eager to lure Johnson before the new season by offering the 162-game veteran a new deal once their recruitment team meet to finalise the offer on Wednesday.


https://www.news.com.au/sport/break...t/news-story/bc373bef6a9a6d87d98e756634a744b5

 

[St from the Gong]

Fair enough Old Timer, he has had a few good games.
Issue is compared to Cronk and others, he is under whelming
I crave for someone tougher, harder, a bit more mongrel, more passion, hates losing more, someone that other teams hate, not someone other teams think is a good bloke
Look how Cronk directs his team and is so demanding of them
Never ever have I seen this in Widdop

Most players compared to Cronk and "others" are under whelming. Widdop will be a loss


SFTG

 

[getsmarty]

Widdop shocks Dragons with request for release

• Dragons Den
  
  
  
  EARLY EXIT: Dragons skipper Gareth Widdop reportedly wants out of the final three years of his deal with the club. Picture: NRL Photos
  St George Illawarra captain Gareth Widdop has shocked club officials by asking for a release from his contract.
  
  Widdop is contracted to the Red V for the next three seasons on a deal worth about $1 million per year.
  
  However, Fairfax Media can reveal he has approached the Dragons hierarchy about immediately cutting ties, citing homesickness and a desire to return to England.
  
  The request caught the club hierarchy completely off guard and threatens to throw pre-season preparations into turmoil.
  
  As the joint-venture outfit’s inspirational skipper and playmaker, Widdop’s departure would create a huge void.
  
  Given the lack of talent on the open market at this time of the season, he would be almost impossible to adequately replace.
  
  St George Illawarra officials don’t want to keep anyone in their organisation against their will given the unsettling effect it would have on the team.
  
  However, they are expected to reject Widdop’s request given his importance to their premiership hopes.
  
  Widdop is only one season into his new halves combination with Ben Hunt but already it has paid dividends, the pair steering the Dragons into the second week of the finals.
  
  Their partnership is expected to get better with experience, although the latest development could mean they have played together for the last time.
  
  The Dragons are only just getting over the shock of having to put a line through main recruitment target, Jarryd Hayne. The two-time Dally M medallist was on the club’s radar until he was charged with aggravated sexual assault.
  
  It means a backline already missing the retired Jason Nightingale and Cowboys signing Nene Macdonald is at least a marquee man short.
  
  With Hayne out of the picture, the Dragons now face the prospect of also having to part company with arguably their most valuable player. It’s understood several Super Leagues clubs - Huddersfield among them - are watching the situation with interest.
  
  Widdop grew up in Yorkshire, made his name at the Melbourne Storm and is one of the first picked in Wayne Bennett’s England team.
  
  The 29-year-old has previously considered moving back to the United Kingdom to finish his career, but this is the first occasion he has applied for a release.
  
  Widdop isn’t the only key Dragon with a clouded future. Coach Paul McGregor is also off contract at the end of next season, with powerbrokers to wait to see how the side begins its campaign before deciding whether to offer him an extension.
  
  NSW forward Tariq Sims is also off contract, although he is expected to recommit to the club.
  
  Widdop may not be the only marquee half on the move. Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson, already told he won’t be offered a new deal once his current one expires, has reportedly asked for a release from the final year of his contract.
  
  It’s understood the Warriors aren’t budging at present but they too face the conundrum of having a star player who doesn’t want to be there.
  
  If Johnson is granted a release, it could prompt the Dragons to more favourably consider Widdop’s application if the Kiwis No.7 is prepared to shift to the Sydney outfit.
  
  Johnson took to social media on Tuesday to outline his position.
  
  "I thought it's best I clear a couple things up regarding my situation at this stage with the Warriors," Johnson wrote. "Firstly, there is no contract for me to sign past 2019.
  
  "Secondly if you saw the article that came out a few weeks back ... they said they are in no rush to re-sign me. Since then they have told me again at this stage they (won't) be offering me anything.
  
  "That means I get to spread my wings and see what's out there so right now that's what I'm doing!".
  
  The latest developments come just a day after David Klemmer was released from Canterbury to join Newcastle, while the Roosters releasing Dylan Napa to join the Bulldogs.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...cks-dragons-with-request-for-release/?cs=3713

 

[SBD82]

Most players compared to Cronk and "others" are under whelming. Widdop will be a loss


SFTG

This.

And widdop isn't a half back. You might as well compare him to tedesco.

 

[Fire]

Where have I heard this before?

Super League giants Leeds make play for St George Illawarra Dragons star Gareth Widdop

By Adrian Proszenko - 11 April 2015

Super League giants Leeds are making a play for St George Illawarra star Gareth Widdop as a replacement for rugby-bound veteran Kevin Sinfield.

Widdop is contracted to the Dragons until the end of 2017 but there has been speculation the England international wants out of the club. Widdop, poised to play his 100th NRL game against Canterbury on Sunday, is arguably the most valuable player at the Red V. The 26-year-old has taken his game to the next level since switching from Melbourne and his form has been a big reason behind the Dragons' three-game winning streak.

URL: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/su...agons-star-gareth-widdop-20150411-1miwge.html