By asking for a release, it doesn't mean he is unhappy with the club and wants to go elsewhere. It's the obvious way to get himself an upgraded contract first and foremost. do you think his manager walking in the board room saying please sir can we have some more will work? Manly hold the key in that he has this contract until whenever. Both sides i'm sure understand he is worth a lot more. to show their trump card, they walk in and ask for the release from the final year, something im sure the club won't do, but shows they mean business. gets the club into gear into putting their offer on the table. the whole process has been how it'd take place in any business, only that in rugby league world, every tom dick n harry journo and their 'sources' like to blow things up deluxe to sell their daily dunny paper.
the fact that his management and the club are still back and forthing over a deal is usual process, albeit not usually so public, obviously both sides want the best deal to suit them and the fact they've clearly said 'not quite what were after, come back to us' has my eyes confident he wants to stay and is giving the club every opportunity to retain him.
the one thing that grinds my gears, is this is all happening in the all important early part of the season, while games are happening. the fact it is all so high profile is impossible to avoid and the longer it drags on, the closer it is to derailing.. which is exactly what the daily dunny papers want to happen. we lose to the sharks this week, the 'club in crisis' headlines will be back. it should all be done in the off season, player managers can go hibernate during regular season and leave the players to play to their contracts previously agreed to.
