Adam SutcliffeWhy are NRL players leaving in droves; joining the UK Super League and Rugby Union?
June 7th 2008 00:51
It's quite Simply, The Player Exodus;
This is becoming one of the most problematic areas in the NRL. Players are constantly being allowed to leave their clubs to go and play overseas just to earn more money. The NRL needs to act now. David Gallop has to prevent this from happening as we cannot afford to constantly lose the game's best players over and over again. Shaun Berrigan, Matt King, Matt Sing, Brent Webb, Lesley Vainikolo, Brett Hodgson, Brent Sherwin, Mark Riddell, Daniel Wagon and many other high profile players. This cannot continue. We need the best players in the NRL all the time to maintain the high standards of the game.
Of course some players have a more dramatic effect once they have left than others. Take Michael Monaghan. He was the go-to man for the Manly Sea Eagles. Their most dangerous ball-runner and their most effective player in breaking the line. The Sea Eagles have missed that impact greatly and its clear in their new style of play. Particularly at the start of the season, it was evident that they were missing Monaghan and his ball-running skills out of dummy half. They have improved since then, but that doesn't take away the fact that they still miss a player such as Monaghan.
At a time when there should be panic amongst the NRL, they are calm about the whole situation. Oblivious to the fact that they are letting the games best talent disappear to England. Will there be a huge player exodus after the Rugby World Cup? Only time will tell us, but die hard fans would hope that it does not happen.
This is not good for the game. The NRL has nurtured these world-class players fromt he start only to let them go just to earn more money? Something must be done. Clubs need to act also and keep their best players at their clubs. Like Nathan Hindmarsh. He played reserves at Parramatta and now he has been in first grade for many years. We need more players that stay devoted to the team they debuted with. If not that, then at least stay faithful to the NRL even if you change clubs. That is what is needed.
Do we let people go? Or do we let people stay? Only the players and NRL executives can decide that.
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