Widdop seeks release

[Drag Queen]

The statements made were not definitive and had a lot of wiggle room in them.

This was what I am saying, if he leaves in 2019, is not physically able to compete or does not have his heart in it, this will have massive implications. I am not knocking Widdop but unless he can deliver $1 million worth of value next year bite the bullet and use the money strategically.

Bit late in the season to be calling it. Perhaps I naively take Widdop's word for it. Purely conjecture though.

 

[RPG437]

Gareth needs to go. It's quite simple really - commit to your 3 years or whatever the extent of the contract in place states - or f**k off back to England or wherever. Saying "oh I'm here for 2019 no worries.....". Please..... that is just BS!!!! Disrespects the Jersey.

 

[getsmarty]

Gareth needs to go. It's quite simple really - commit to your 3 years or whatever the extent of the contract in place states - or f**k off back to England or wherever. Saying "oh I'm here for 2019 no worries.....". Please..... that is just BS!!!! Disrespects the Jersey.

With all due respects, how do you know what is happening behind the scenes ? Gareth is more than likely already talking to the club and the club would be looking for replacements if he wants to leave.
This is how the info was allegedly leaked.....to say he needs to go now, is an incredibly simplified argument based on emotion....doesn't really help us in 2019...if as you say he needs to go now , who replaces him in 2019 ??

No doubt the club knows what his intentions are and would be looking towards who replaces him if and when he leaves. He has served the club well and to tell him to "F off now " is incredibly infantile and just plain silly.

 

[Overseas dragon]

With all due respects, how do you know what is happening behind the scenes ? Gareth is more than likely already talking to the club and the club would be looking for replacements if he wants to leave.
This is how the info was allegedly leaked.....to say he needs to go now, is an incredibly simplified argument based on emotion....doesn't really help us in 2019...if as you say he needs to go now , who replaces him in 2019 ??

No doubt the club knows what his intentions are and would be looking towards who replaces him if and when he leaves. He has served the club well and to tell him to "F off now " is incredibly infantile and just plain silly.

And a lot of you soothsayers will be very dissapointed if Gareth stays and completes his current contract.. ....

 

[Drag Queen]

I don't get it.

If Widdop didn't ask for a release on his contract, why would the club leak that he wanted out.

If he wanted to finish his career in England which I presume the club was aware of, why all the cloak and dagger as the club has let players go before their contracts have finish in the past.

Good point. I enjoy ESL but the weather is beyond depressing. I can't fathom that he we would get the same pay cheque over there unless he goes to St Helens. They are the ones that have the money.

 

[Belta]

And a lot of you soothsayers will be very dissapointed if Gareth stays and completes his current contract.. ....

The problem here is Gareth had the opportunity to explain his position. He could simply of replied by saying Im contracted for the next three years, I’m committed to my team, my team mates, my club and my supporters. The red v is part of me. I want everyone to know that I’m 100% committed to honouring my contract. Alas he did not.

 

[Drag Queen]

And a lot of you soothsayers will be very dissapointed if Gareth stays and completes his current contract.. ....

Are you talking about ouryears OD?. He is the only one who comes to mind regarding his hatred for the bloke. I don't get it . If Widdop is missing in a game we lose.

 

[Overseas dragon]

Are you talking about ouryears OD?. He is the only one who comes to mind regarding his hatred for the bloke. I don't get it . If Widdop is missing in a game we lose.

Yes drag nothing's set in concrete. Let's cross those bridges when we come to them. ...

 

[Drag Queen]

Yes drag nothing's set in concrete. Let's cross those bridges when we come to them. ...

Seems so OD. I want to keep him.

 

[Old Timer]

Ex

The problem here is Gareth had the opportunity to explain his position. He could simply of replied by saying Im contracted for the next three years, I’m committed to my team, my team mates, my club and my supporters. The red v is part of me. I want everyone to know that I’m 100% committed to honouring my contract. Alas he did not.

Tell me exactly why did he need to do that?
The only person who has explaining to do is the areshole who leaked and most likely distorted a private conversation someone was having in total confidence.
We all have times in our lives where we have a few options to weigh up and we rely on other people’s integrity to help us whilst we do that but unfortunately for Gareth the person who he relied on folded like a cheap suit or perhaps collapsed just like our second half of the season performances.

 

[Brutalitops]

Am I the only one who really has no problem with the way Widdop has handled this? I think if he intends to leave in 2020, that's okay as he has given the club more than enough time to plan for it. It's really no less time than when I player doesn't renew their contract, in fact it's far more of a heads up than that situation.

Widdop is not the sort of player who'd pull the rug out from under the club. I would bet he has kept them involved with every aspect of his thoughts, and whoever tarnished him with those garbage reports initially should be ashamed.

 

[Old Timer]

Am I the only one who really has no problem with the way Widdop has handled this? I think if he intends to leave in 2020, that's okay as he has given the club more than enough time to plan for it. It's really no less time than when I player doesn't renew their contract, in fact it's far more of a heads up than that situation.

Widdop is not the sort of player who'd pull the rug out from under the club. I would bet he has kept them involved with every aspect of his thoughts, and whoever tarnished him with those garbage reports initially should be ashamed.

No you’re not the only one
I am toatallt pissed off with the negativity & animosity in this place towards him
He has acted honourably and has been betrayed.

 

[Dragonslayer]

@Old Timer and @Brutalitops you are both 100% correct.
Wether Widdop has nade the decision to move on is forced or by design, he has aporoached it the most professional way, one that would be expected of our club captain.
Although he signed an extension last year, circumstances can change and 12 months is a long time in anyones life, especially if it revolves around family.
Enough said on that matter imo.

I do believe 2019 will he his last with us, so we have 12 months to sort ouf a marquee replacement.
My money is still on Norman.
My other guess is that Johnson will go to Parra not the Roosters. Him and Cleary just aint the pairing for them imo. Brooks to the Warriors as Parra gave a lot of faith in their young half coming through.
Just my thoughts.

 

[Crush]

No.

Saints would return to the Benji/Widdop 2014-16 period where the team had two five-eighths.

The difference would be two halfbacks in Johnson/Hunt.

Pass.

Nah, SJ is a 5/8 moving forward.
Listening to Matty Johns speak, reckons he is a natural 5/8 and can even slot into fullback. If he goes to sharks they'll play him at 5/8 and he'll do really well there with Townsend directing traffic and allowing SJ to run.

Unfortunately for dragons don't think we will get the chance to prove or disprove your theory.

 

[Brutalitops]

Totally Off topic but don't want a thread about it, when do our international reps return to training? (Hunt, Graham, etc)

 

[Belta]

No you’re not the only one
I am toatallt pissed off with the negativity & animosity in this place towards him
He has acted honourably and has been betrayed.

I have absolutely no idea where your at with your last few posts, but that’s fine. I’m obviously reading the situation differently to you and some others. I personally don’t have animosity towards Widdop but feel being a captain of a NRL club that has afforded you a top dollar long term deal and you accept such deal and then for whatever reason circumstances change, so you are now planning to not honour your contract than I have no issue if the club decides to withdraw thier loyalty. I did say Widdop would be hard to replace but do what’s best for the club, if it’s keeping Widdop so be it or release him and who knows uncover a talented junior who will offer a long term solution.

 

[True_Believer]

I have absolutely no idea where your at with your last few posts, but that’s fine. I’m obviously reading the situation differently to you and some others. I personally don’t have animosity towards Widdop but feel being a captain of a NRL club that has afforded you a top dollar long term deal and you accept such deal and then for whatever reason circumstances change, so you are now planning to not honour your contract than I have no issue if the club decides to withdraw thier loyalty. I did say Widdop would be hard to replace but do what’s best for the club, if it’s keeping Widdop so be it or release him and who knows uncover a talented junior who will offer a long term solution.

Don't you think as captain you deserve some respect and support from the club as well? That's what has caused this situation.

 

[Belta]

Don't you think as captain you deserve some respect and support from the club as well? That's what has caused this situation.

Yes. That’s a fair call.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

You have a point. Warriors were quick to dismiss Johnson. On a good day he was phenomenal. On a bad day he was atrocious. Hmmm. It"ll be interesting to see how he goes with Cronulla.

Personally, I couldn’t give a toss about Cronulla or how Johnson performs there.

 

[Carlton]

Yes. That’s a fair call.

Belta I thought your previous post was spot on but I think you have folded with this one. Where has he been disrespected, he is the chief playmaker, captain and senior player who one year into a four year multi million dollar contract raises the possibility he may not honour the remaining three years. He had some vague discussion with someone about playing in the ESL and they confided in a friend (this happens all the time in all walks of life) who according to True_Believer told someone else who then told someone else and along the way the story got twisted up. All we know is he wanted to play in the ESL which he has stated himself previously. Whats the drama?

Stop treating him like a victim and pragmatically think about the future given he has stated he wants to go to ESL.