Widdop seeks release

[BLM01]

As I said OT, in my opinion its a storm in a teacup and this sort of thing happens everyday of the week in the NRL.

Yes and now the English clubs come out of the woodwork ready to table him a deal. So who instructed his player manager to put the feelers out overseas after a secret meeting over here with a couple of people. No he has not asked for a release...yet.
I dont care about the reasons or who did or leaked what. The facts are English clubs are ready to pounce for a reason. That is all I am worried about, we are going to lose him in the short term.

 

[Carlton]

Yes and now the English clubs come out of the woodwork ready to table him a deal. So who instructed his player manager to put the feelers out overseas after a secret meeting over here with a couple of people. No he has not asked for a release...yet.
I dont care about the reasons or who did or leaked what. The facts are English clubs are ready to pounce for a reason. That is all I am worried about, we are going to lose him in the short term.

This was my point, what do we do if he leaves. What is the best strategy that could be adopted if it actually happens.

I am not that interested in who was right or wrong. It is what it is, what I want to know is, where does that leave us fans for 2019 and beyond?

 

[BLM01]

This was my point, what do we do if he leaves. What is the best strategy that could be adopted if it actually happens.

I am not that interested in who was right or wrong. It is what it is, what I want to know is, where does that leave us fans for 2019 and beyond?

I honestly think they settled things quickly by wiping out the 2019 move as i still believe was never going to happen, but something is in the pipeline or changed in the past few months and maybe for 2020 and that is what they tried their best to deflect in the recent press conferences
I am peeved because I thought with him we were building a squad with some tweeks and strengthening in the backs and coaching to give the comp are real shake in the next couple of years...now without a decent replacement it would be a huge step back.
But it was the way all the press conferences made it sound like nothing has changed from previous years..he always has said it in the past and maintains that. Like I wanna retire one day.
No..something further has been done to try to bring it to fruition and that what was leaked albeit should not of and probably as usual with distorted facts. Feelers have been put out there by his management. Good luck to him and never begrudge someone to do what is right and earn maximum $$,
For me I love the club, jersey and the team as a whole 1st and anyone who puts on that jersey.
and hate seeing things that rock the boat.
Look individuals can be replaced, some need to be sooner than others but some like Widdop will leave a huge hole and I wish he would stay.

 

[Old Timer]

This thread has gone around and around and maybe this is the last I can offer as until Widdop or the club decide to make a full statement it remains a mystery and a difficult situation.

1. Re the new ideas about Widdop's manager potentially canvassing offers etc does he even have one because if so he has been extremely quiet and Widdop has done all the talking for himself?
2. Many players have caveats drawn up into their contracts and maybe that is the case with Widdop and he is now looking at potentially exercising some of them (emphasis on potentially)

Re a potential caveat Imagine when the negotiations were going on re his new contract he said something like
"I'd like to stay on but I really want to win a premiership and I don't believe we can with Mary so maybe I'll leave"
Maybe Millward responds "Don't worry no guarantee Mary will be the coach ongoing because if he doesn't win the comp or finish top 4 we will boot him out so you either get a premiership with Mary or we will bring in a top line coach which will assure you of getting one"
Ok says Widdop with a caveat "if you renege on the deal then I want an option to give reasonable notice and leave as the ball is in your court re the coach and I'm only signing on that basis"
Millard maybe says OK but if you do go it has to be to ESL and he gets the signature and we all hail Millward.
Move forward to a couple of weeks ago
"Hey Millward what's happening with the coaches job, we didn't win the comp nor did we finish top 4? There seems to be a lot of movement going on and the good coaches seem to be all going anywhere but here, remember we had a discussion about that when we did my contract, so who is coming in to take the role?"
Deathly silence from Millward or maybe "the board is backing Mary and they will more than likely renew him in the early part of the season".
Ok says Widdop "Thanks for the heads up, I'll have to have a think about where to from here"
Now the club could then misconstrue such a conversation and cast it in the light of Widdop wanting a release when in fact all he wanted was clarification of the clubs position.
If such a caveat existed and was potentially exercised, for sure Millward would cover his arse and throw people under the bus for ever putting the club (especially the new owners) in a position that challenged their favourite son Mc Fookknuckle.
Now I'm not saying this is the scenario but if one looks at things with an open mind it could easily be the scenario or close to it.
As I said in the beginning there could be a host of things in Widddop's contract that the club agreed to so let's not lay the blame at his feet until such times as the "facts" are known but I'd lay London to a brick that the club is at fault for getting the press involved and if I was Widdop I'd be pissed off about it and if I didn't quite have enough reason to go prior to being shit on then I certainly do afterwards.

 

[Carlton]

This thread has gone around and around and maybe this is the last I can offer as until Widdop or the club decide to make a full statement it remains a mystery and a difficult situation.

1. Re the new ideas about Widdop's manager potentially canvassing offers etc does he even have one because if so he has been extremely quiet and Widdop has done all the talking for himself?
2. Many players have caveats drawn up into their contracts and maybe that is the case with Widdop and he is now looking at potentially exercising some of them (emphasis on potentially)

Re a potential caveat Imagine when the negotiations were going on re his new contract he said something like
"I'd like to stay on but I really want to win a premiership and I don't believe we can with Mary so maybe I'll leave"
Maybe Millward responds "Don't worry no guarantee Mary will be the coach ongoing because if he doesn't win the comp or finish top 4 we will boot him out so you either get a premiership with Mary or we will bring in a top line coach which will assure you of getting one"
Ok says Widdop with a caveat "if you renege on the deal then I want an option to give reasonable notice and leave as the ball is in your court re the coach and I'm only signing on that basis"
Millard maybe says OK but if you do go it has to be to ESL and he gets the signature and we all hail Millward.
Move forward to a couple of weeks ago
"Hey Millward what's happening with the coaches job, we didn't win the comp nor did we finish top 4? There seems to be a lot of movement going on and the good coaches seem to be all going anywhere but here, remember we had a discussion about that when we did my contract, so who is coming in to take the role?"
Deathly silence from Millward or maybe "the board is backing Mary and they will more than likely renew him in the early part of the season".
Ok says Widdop "Thanks for the heads up, I'll have to have a think about where to from here"
Now the club could then misconstrue such a conversation and cast it in the light of Widdop wanting a release when in fact all he wanted was clarification of the clubs position.
If such a caveat existed and was potentially exercised, for sure Millward would cover his arse and throw people under the bus for ever putting the club (especially the new owners) in a position that challenged their favourite son Mc Fookknuckle.
Now I'm not saying this is the scenario but if one looks at things with an open mind it could easily be the scenario or close to it.
As I said in the beginning there could be a host of things in Widddop's contract that the club agreed to so let's not lay the blame at his feet until such times as the "facts" are known but I'd lay London to a brick that the club is at fault for getting the press involved and if I was Widdop I'd be pissed off about it and if I didn't quite have enough reason to go prior to being shit on then I certainly do afterwards.

OT at the end of the day all I'm really worried about is, if Widdop leaves, when would be best, why and how can any cap freed up be used the most strategically. I think that this is all static and the real issue us bubbling along.

 

[Old Timer]

OT at the end of the day all I'm really worried about is, if Widdop leaves, when would be best, why and how can any cap freed up be used the most strategically. I think that this is all static and the real issue us bubbling along.

I see your point which is important but it still gaulls me that we ever got to such a position
My take is we will struggle to get a quality external player and the ranks within are thin
Gutherson would be my target.

 

[Carlton]

I see your point which is important but it still gaulls me that we ever got to such a position
My take is we will struggle to get a quality external player and the ranks within are thin
Gutherson would be my target.

OT this is what I was getting at, if he goes why sign a make do player to fill void in 2019 (and I'm not saying Gutherson is a make do player). I dont believe he will be with us in 2020, therefore given is shoulder and how long its going to take to recover properly, it would be better long term if the club and Widdop could agree on him leaving now. This has nothing to do with Widdop as a player or person, it is about having his money available to strategically use to tie up some of the best young players we can lay our hands on.

I know there are many posters who wouldn't want to give up 2019 and thats fine thats their prerogative.

 

[blacksafake]

I see your point which is important but it still gaulls me that we ever got to such a position
My take is we will struggle to get a quality external player and the ranks within are thin
Gutherson would be my target.

I used to have a bit of an opinion of Gutherson but he hasn't lived up to my thoughts.
I think he's treading water which may be due to him playing in a poor team & being played in different positions on a regular basis.Injuries have also slowed him down & at times he can look like a headless chook running around.Just possibly a change of scenery is what he needs.

 

[Brutalitops]

it would be better long term if the club and Widdop could agree on him leaving now.

Even if Widdop was somehow already confirmed to be leaving 2020, parting ways now would leave us in much worse shape. There are no suitable replacements on the market, and if there was, it's cutting it real close to sign someone without being disruptive.

Having a full year left is plenty, actually a longer time than we had to replace the likes of Dugan, Benji, Soward, etc, who all left with much less notice than Widdops hypothetical exit.

And I think Widdop is the kind of player who wouldn't want to up and leave anyway. I can guarantee he's committed to 2019 at the Dragons and wont drag his boots for a release

 

[Willow]

Lol @ "leaks". It's Yes Minister but not as serious.

Of course people talk and half the time they have the wrong end of the stick. Such misunderstandings are as old as the hills. Sometimes it can result in a declaration of war... I don't think we're there yet.

And FTR, asking for a release is not a breach of any contract.

 

[Old Timer]

I used to have a bit of an opinion of Gutherson but he hasn't lived up to my thoughts.
I think he's treading water which may be due to him playing in a poor team & being played in different positions on a regular basis.Injuries have also slowed him down & at times he can look like a headless chook running around.Just possibly a change of scenery is what he needs.

Him and Mann are joined at the umbellucal

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


Settled Widdop can lead Dragons to success: Frizell
Author
Martin Lenehan NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Mon 3 Dec 2018, 05:01 PM

With his future at the Dragons settled for 2019, Gareth Widdop can be a vital ingredient for St George Illawarra in beating the State of Origin player drain and avoiding another late-season fade-out, according to Tyson Frizell.

The NSW and Kangaroos enforcer is adamant Widdop will have the full backing and best wishes of his teammates whenever he decides to swap the Red V for the Super League.

Widdop has made no secret of the fact he would like to return to his homeland in the coming years but last week moved swiftly to deny reports he had requested an immediate release from St George Illawarra.

The 29-year-old Dragons captain left England at 14 and started his NRL career in Melbourne before joining the Dragons in 2014 and evolving into one of the game's premier playmakers.

"Gareth had never mentioned to us about wanting to go back home but we weren't surprised by it," Frizell told NRL.com.

"He is from England but he has never had the chance to play Super League and I'm sure he'd want to play a couple of years there.

"The main thing is he is here for next year and whatever he does after that we are behind him."

Dragons pleased Widdop commits to 2019

Widdop is contracted until the end of 2021 but it seems likely 2019 will be his last year in the NRL and St Helens have emerged as favourites to land the England international when he does head home.

In the meantime, his 185 games of experience will be pivotal to the Dragons keeping their campaign on track during the demanding State of Origin period when they could lose up to five players, including Frizell and Widdop's halves partner Ben Hunt.

"It's nice to know that when we do go through Origin that Gaz and James Graham are still around," Frizell said.

"Plenty of clubs lose their best players during Origin but our best and most experienced are still playing NRL which is comforting."

Dragons coach Paul McGregor copped criticism for not resting his Origin stars mid-season but Frizell says the onus is on the players to know their body and work with medical staff to avoid burnout.

"Every player is different and I found it hard when I first started in Origin [in 2016] but 2018 was my best year in terms of getting the balance right," Frizell said.

"There's plenty of strain on the body around that time but you need to look at yourself and be honest with the medical staff and go in to each club game knowing you are going to perform as well as were leading into Origin.

"It's hard to point the finger and say it was Origin time that hurt us in 2018 as we ended up only a couple of minutes from making a preliminary final.

Widdop denies he's leaving the Dragons

"Everyone seems to think we start the year well and die at the back end but I'm sure every team wants to start the year on a high.

"Those credits we built up early kept us in the eight when we had some injuries later in the year."

Frizell says anyone who thinks coach Paul McGregor will be swayed by criticism of his methods had better think again.

"As a player 'Mary' was part of Origin so he knows what is needed and what players need and what it's like," Frizell said.

"He has experienced it and that background at the highest level is a huge bonus for us. Mary won't listen to any of the outside noise and that's why we love him.

"We go hard at this time of the year and put in the work so we can be there at the back end of the season.

"We've got a really happy group and we know we can do something special in 2019."



https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/12/03...e-illawarra-dragons-to-success-tyson-frizell/

 

[BLM01]

Well the 1st sentence of this article is the whole problem as we are now to feel good and happy about the this year and the future. "With his future at the Dragons settled for 2019"..and also "Dragons pleased Widdop commits to 2019" .
I thought it was settled as he had a contract to 2021...Was he that close to walking out now?...anyway

I just knew all and sundry would just use the Origin hangover and fatigue card (HPU's fault) for our downfall last year as I said many times..to a point gets Mary off the hook again failing to scrutinise;
1. The other players and their fadeout
2. Lack of depth ready
3. Evoloving game plans or changing game plans to suit opposition..or lack thereof
4. Defensive issues that have been in the same spots for 2-3 years (centres / wingers more our right hand side and lack of agression or flat footedness in meeting the opposition in their hit ups)
5. Accountability for poor performances. Nothing is wrong at our club and every loss is just one of those bad days not a learning curve.

No wonder Mary will likely get an extension and is loved, it just was not his fault and he has the players back. Happy camp and a coach getting on with his players, fair enough are 2 strong positives... but it is not enough to be a Top 4 side and competing at the big dance if the 5 negatives above are not ALL addressed.

 

[Mark D]

As reported this morning it appears Gareth is off to England in 2020... The signing of Norman indeed was needed... This will mean we will have some cap space from 2020 on so does this mean we could offer a Robert Jennings for example a back ended deal ? I can now see a spine of McInnes Hunt Norman and Widdop with Duff doing a 12 month apprenticeship.... hope Gareth goes out with a premiership ring... the motivation will certainly be heightened!

 

[The calm one]

As reported this morning it appears Gareth is off to England in 2020... The signing of Norman indeed was needed... This will mean we will have some cap space from 2020 on so does this mean we could offer a Robert Jennings for example a back ended deal ? I can now see a spine of McInnes Hunt Norman and Widdop with Duff doing a 12 month apprenticeship.... hope Gareth goes out with a premiership ring... the motivation will certainly be heightened!

I thought this might be on the cards. If you have the world's best 5/8, Widdop. Why do you need another top liner for. Answer, to replace the one that leaves

 

[Crush]

OMG OMG OMG!!!
Widdop is leaving!?
I had no idea!!!
This is just great!
Christmas is ruined!

 

[Slippery Morris]

Saints won't have extra cap space as the money for Widdop will go to Corey Norman instead.

 

[giboz71]

We have another year to work out if we need another 5/8 or fullback. Plenty can happen in that time. Who knows, Dufty or Field might even surprise us?

And we can always get rid of Aitken or Lafai if we need cap space, especially if Lomax comes through as expected.

 

[avocado]

I thought this might be on the cards. If you have the world's best 5/8, Widdop. Why do you need another top liner for. Answer, to replace the one that leaves

No one is coming.

 

[Life's Good]

The only surprise is it’s not immediate so we’ve got a full season to prepare. Signing Norman is a good start.