To look at things from a different perspective, he hasn't broken his contract at any point, he's actually given 100% every single game he's played, so I'd argue morally, employee to employer, he's done more than many NRL players who are happy to collect a pay packet and coast. The club has looked after him very well, and he's repaid that by giving his all.
There's a few well justified things to bag his moral compass on, but asking for a release doesn't even register a thought on his character for mine.
If he was a shit player, let's say Milford, he'd be a god for asking for a release from a big money contract.
I'd actually argue what Milford did collecting a milliona year while not being interested in actually earning it, is worse, but I don't think he's a bad bloke, get that bag Milf.
Ash Taylor potentially living in pain for the rest of his life, no one cares about him. Players with CTE, no real support there. Businesses never give two ***** about their employees and would happily shit on them if they could get away with it legally. As soon as they outlive their usefulness they're turfed.
Clubs do it all the times with dodgy leaks to journos to put pressure on players to leave, dropping them to reserves, not letting them leave even if it would prevent them doing better elsewhere, feeding them false hope of a re-signing, life time injury? Too bad good luck out there, the list is endless.
I think his manager is a turd, but that's on him for choosing him and I think he's handled it completely unprofessionally but I don't think he's a bad human because he wants out.
If I had kids, and they thought NRL players were role models, that'd be a failure in parenting. There's plenty of real role models locally, sports stars shouldn't be idolised.
Totally agree regarding the club, but again "that's business", right? The moral decay was not directed solely at Payne, but rather at the current state of professional sport.
In the case of Payne and the Broncos, one has to wonder at the way in which the off-field indiscretions are handled in a societal context. Payne's mother assaults people, the police say to one victim to drop it and she'll buy you a new phone. How much of that has to do with the Broncos?
Is one person who can play sport very well actually above the law? If we accept that in our sports, do we accept that in other areas too?
To your point regarding players and their treatment following injuries or poor form; Well, as I don't like that art is commercialised outside of live performances, I'm against these contractual situations in any case. However, I'm also about people's right to choose, and I think that players should be aware of what ills might befall them in entering this "profession". In any case, I think they should have a backup plan that should be subsidised by clubs if they're going to run professional outfits as duty of care. Especially if they're going to recruit children.
In terms of players coasting, that is a pitfall for any employer. If they want to run a business built on other people's talent, they should be totally aware of those risks.
The issue for the club is when they should break a contract for indiscretions and players purposefully angle for release in order to get a release. Contracts should have clauses that stipulate the required behaviour of employees and clubs and players should both abide by them.
Payne did nothing wrong. I agree. He was within all his rights. However, his management used the media to play this out and should be investigated and fined for brand damage. Payne should also, but he probably won't. Payne has indeed been very good in his performance, but off-field has been poor.
In the end, I think the whole release fiasco played out as it should have. I think the club should probably move him on and seek professionalism. I think the NRL should reward professionalism in clubs and support good systems before they continue trying to expand.
My issue with the NRL is that it is clearly a slave to money. Poor clubs in a capitalist enterprise should theoretically fail and not be supported by richer clubs. Taking this further, good clubs should prosper and grow and introduce second teams. However, the NRL fight the market and because of this allow indiscretions to occur in many ways. So, players and clubs can rise above the sport.
Honestly, it's a shit show and this whole Payne Saga only highlights the problems and also how big a role the media plays in it.
