The Roosters just do it better, says Greenberg

Roosters chairman Nick Politis with captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner. Picture. Phil Hillyard
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has studied the rosters and salary caps of all 16 clubs. No one is better placed to speak about the Sydney Roosters and the continual claims that rival clubs and supporters make about the grand finalists.
“I see all 16 club rosters and all 16 club salary caps — the way the Roosters do their salary cap, they do it better than others,” Greenberg told The Australian.
“They are smart, they are prepared to make some hard decisions along the way — and that is evidenced by a number of players that I reflect on who are not playing there any more that are still in good form in their careers.
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“They are prepared to let them go and then back themselves. To be fair to people like (coach) Trent Robinson and (chair) Nick Politis and others, they have developed a club that people want to play at.
“And when you negotiate with players, everyone in the public will think it is always only about money. Now money is still the key driver, but one thing the players want as much as money is they want to win.
“That is why it is hard sometimes when you are in the bottom half of the ladder to attract the best players — sometimes you have to pay overs to get them.”
Greenberg is a former club boss himself, having presided over Canterbury before making his way to the NRL. He knows how clubs operate and how they think.
In a former life, he and Politis once jostled over the same turf, fighting each other for players.
But Greenberg has always had immense respect for the Roosters supremo, although that doesn’t preclude them butting heads over issues.
“We disagree occasionally but he is not the only person in the game that I disagree with,” Greenberg said.
“I tell you what, I always maintain that we should be challenging ourselves on how we can disagree with each other but then continue to do our jobs.
“You won’t meet someone more passionate or more committed to his job than Nick. We’re talking someone who for 40 years-plus who has effectively committed his life to the Roosters and his life to rugby league.
“The game is better for having Nick Politis in it, that’s for sure.”
Asked how often he speaks to Politis, Greenberg insisted it wasn’t that often. Yet there is no question he would be wise to take heed from a person who has spent a lifetime in the game and, at the same time, built a personal empire worth billions.
His reputation has made him a formidable figure in rugby league and the business world. His shadow looms large as the Roosters prepare for Sunday night’s grand final against Canberra at ANZ Stadium.
The Roosters have become perennial contenders on his watch. They have cherrypicked players from elsewhere and added them to a core group of players who are either local juniors or have been brought up through the system.
They have dispensed with Mitchell Pearce to make way for Cooper Cronk. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck left and James Tedesco came in. Politis has been the one constant.
“I wouldn’t speak to him every week — I would speak to him a couple of times a month,” Greenberg said. “But I have huge respect for Nick and I have developed a strong relationship with him over the years. I think he is great for the game.
“Sometimes people think about Nick’s wealth being put into the club but I think what he does well is use his gravitas and reputation and standing to bring others in.
“That is what he does well. I think at the end of it Nick wants to be successful. That is what he has done at the Roosters — he has good people around him.
“Nick talks to me about issues from the long-term investment strategy of the game down to what was that penalty for.
“I said this year about Cameron Smith that there is very much a tall poppy syndrome that we like to build people up to then knock them down.
“I hear people criticise Nick regularly but as I said, we should be thankful that he is in the game. He loves it, he passionately loves it.”
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