Another Injury Forced Retirement

[HoldenV8]

Ok, this isn't one of our own but it could have consequences that affect us over the next month or so.

North Queensland forward Ben Hannant has reportedly been forced to retire due to a knee injury. Now how the NRL handles this could well impact on what happens with Steve Matai and possibly Brett Stewart.

Only last month Hannant re-signed with the Cows for 2017, so will his forced retirement from what is being described as a chronic knee injury (not a new one) see his contract not counted towards the salary cap a-la Watmough? If the NRL do allow that then they have to allow it for our boys also, should it come to that of course which with Matai at least looks a better than average chance unfortunately.

http://wwos.nine.com.au/2016/11/16/...nto-nrl-retirement-report#khygMQjEHWzcQiHe.99

 

[manlyfan76]

The day after Mat Scott said he wanted to talk contracts.......

 

[ricardo]

North Queensland have a salary cap?

 

[HoldenV8]

The day after Mat Scott said he wanted to talk contracts.......

Interesting timing isn't it. Hannant was only re-signed late last month yet now Matt Scott wants to talk turkey again Hannant is being forced to retire due to what is probably an on-going knee injury?

Surely they would have known in late October before he put pen to paper that there were issues with his knee, especially if only 2 or 3 weeks later it is bad enough to force him to retire.

 

[Medowie Eagle]

The difference with this retirement is that he has just signed the contract. The club obviously know his history of knee problems and the contract may only have been registered pending medical clearance.

 

[HoldenV8]

But then why not hold off on signing him at all until they knew? It wasn't like Hannant was in high demand with other clubs here or in the SL. Surely another 2-3 weeks wait wouldn't have made a difference.

 

[ALinda]

But then why not hold off on signing him at all until they knew? It wasn't like Hannant was in high demand with other clubs here or in the SL. Surely another 2-3 weeks wait wouldn't have made a difference.

Agree...one thinks there's more to that than meets the eye. The timing of it is all a bit sus!

 

[manlyfan76]

Maybe Hannat could get a peice of a little building development in Nth Qld as a retirement deal.

 

[Shoe1]

Sounds like a clear rort. Did he go there on unders for 2016 knowing that there would be a reward.

 

[Eagles2nv]

Yeah seems like if this gets cleared from the cap than there is a precedent starting for clubs signing senior players.

Sign them on unders and then 'renew' them for one more year for heaps and then 'Medically retire' the player, clearing it from the cap.

 

[Shoe1]

Yeah seems like if this gets cleared from the cap than there is a precedent starting for clubs signing senior players.

Sign them on unders and then 'renew' them for one more year for heaps and then 'Medically retire' the player, clearing it from the cap.

It's known as the watmough manouvre

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

It's known as the watmough manouvre

It will soon be known as " Doing a Choc"

 

[Shoe1]

Except Choc, like Bruce Willis' boxer in pulp fiction, is not keeping his side of the deal. Threatening to make a comeback!

 

[CBreeagles]

So they probably retired Hannant to try and give Ponga more cash.

 

[Eagles2nv]

So they probably retired Hannant to try and give Ponga more cash.

Apparently Ponga is a done deal to knights - $3M for 5 years.

 

[wedgetail eagle]

Now Ben Hannant's retired he might get time to add to his family.

 

[ALinda]

Now Ben Hannant's retired he might get time to add to his family.

It seems he always had time before

 

[wombatgc]

It seems he always had time before

You're not wrong....i bet his knee is not the only thing worn out.