NRL All Stars 2020

[mitch222]

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Sad part about this I actually had a client ask me where the any key was on the phone the other day. In his defence, he was 70

 

[LittleDavey]

Amazes me they can have two of the games best hookers happy to not be playing their position when every other team would be willing to give those two guys better money

If you're: a) playing for a club who makes the finals every year and who have arguably the best systems in the comp, 2) learning under a future Immortal and easily the best player in your position ever, 3) being mentored by a supercoach widely regarded as the best in the league, and 4) only have one other guy to beat out or for him to get injured to make that coveted position yours in a year or so...

The money will come, they're both young and have practically their whole careers in front of them. These guys are biding their time and learning in the best environment they could possibly be in. Why go to a basket case of a club who's desperate for a hooker and will splash big money, but by doing so destroy your career? That's a short-term play...they're playing the long game. And still probably getting paid more than most of the blokes they went to school with.

 

[Kimlo]

If you're: a) playing for a club who makes the finals every year and who have arguably the best systems in the comp, 2) learning under a future Immortal and easily the best player in your position ever, 3) being mentored by a supercoach widely regarded as the best in the league, and 4) only have one other guy to beat out or for him to get injured to make that coveted position yours in a year or so...

The money will come, they're both young and have practically their whole careers in front of them. These guys are biding their time and learning in the best environment they could possibly be in. Why go to a basket case of a club who's desperate for a hooker and will splash big money, but by doing so destroy your career? That's a short-term play...they're playing the long game. And still probably getting paid more than most of the blokes they went to school with.

I definitely understand all that, but most league players won't wait 6 months for a chance, these guys have been waiting, what is it now, 3 years? How can Melbourne fend off what has to be way better offers and keep these guys happy enough to not only sign, but both be signed until the end of 2022. WTF.

We couldn't keep Kodi at hooker yet they can keep Grant in reserve grade happily plodding along. There is like 5 good hookers in the competition so there has to be at least 10 teams that would pay more than what Melbourne is paying to keep these guys in reserve grade.

Does their manager not tell them, you can go play first grade, earn an extra 200-300k a year, have a chance at playing origin (another 100k there) and get all the associated sponsorships and coverage a first grade player gets, or wait around in reserve grade where Smith may or may not retire in 2021.

It just doesn't make sense, their recruitment team has some serious negotiating skills or the second excel tab @Morkel mentions has some good 0's in the column.

 

[LittleDavey]

@Kimlo you nailed it with your last line lol