It is, as the bloke on the other side of Kurt Capewell's wall said, very hard to swallow.
Losing good young players happens. But it's usually easier to understand if they are offered massive dollars or an easier path to the top grade. Losing Josh Feledy, for example, sucked, but he hadn't yet played NRL and was offered a good deal by the Tigers. Not much we could do, really.
With Samuela, we already know how he'll adapt to the NRL (spoiler alert: pretty farking well). Chances are Latu will do the same. They are both contracted to the club and, apparently, not looking to leave. And yet we are happily showing both boys the door.
OMG.. it's not that difficult to work out seriously ... they want more money.. it may not be them but their management...simple
I'm sure our management and coaches see their potential and want to keep them but it's a no brainier situation.
So our management has no option but to tell them.. "ok.. do your best..go see what's out there"
The issue is we have Latu on an NRL salary ( agreed to by previous management/ coaches and Scott Fulton with Tarak his buddy..apparently).. his brother plays first grade and their manager then leverages the fact they are brothers and uses this to up the price..
If Latu is on $350k and I have it from really good source that he is on "really good coin" ( I posted this a few weeks ago) then as soon as Sam gets into first grade and he's possibly on $120k ( Min contract) he's manager seizes the moment..
This is THE PROBLEM..
They waited for Samuela to play NRL and have a decent go of it which he did ( he's a gun, we all know it), they then turn around and immediately demand more $$$$ from the club knowing full well that Samuelas contract is up next year and that the "fans" will be outraged if management doesnt agree to resign the players for WHATEVER their manager wants... Where does it end.
Tarak:
Ok Manly, Sam is now an NRL player.. he's off contract next year and we want $450k plus per season..
Management:
He's a rookie, yes lots of potential and doing well, he's on $120K now so we are happy to double plus some, say to $300K/ year for 3 years with bonuses and possible KPI upgrades blah blah..
Tarak:
$900K, No way, Latu already on $350K and he hasnt played NRL, His brother deserves more!
Management:
He's just starting out,hes a rookie, what's next $750k when he plays a full season at NRL level?.. where does it end.
Tarak:
The boys want to stay together, they love the club but your under valuing them. They are a package deal!
The fact Latu hasn't played first grade but your paying him $350k now.. so Samuela is worth $450k+ and if you don't come to the party i will take Latu from you as well..
it's madness and has to stop, What would you expect the club to do.
We are probably looking to offload Keppie and had to bring in a few "Cheapies" to have cap space just incase we need to make a better offer to keep the Fainus after they "test" the market
Ask yourself if Samuela wasnt related to Latu, would this be happening, Look at the Shoe and Hamoule, they got their deals done with not to much fuss, possibly because they have a stronger stance with their manager and are not just blindly led.
From all reports, talk about the Fainus being quiet boys and it appears they just go with whatever Tarak wants to do with them.
If Samuela wasn't Latus brother he would have resigned with us already, no issue.
The issue is the club bought Brooks and is happy to let Latu go ( or at least test the market and see who else wants an untested half for $350K plus a year), so Tarak jumps on the gas and presses management with Samuela
So before we go banging on about the club and its management put yourself in their position, would you just bend over every time Tarak came knocking looking for more $$$,
This is not the first time he's done this now, basically every player on his books is in the media 1 and 2 years out from their contract expiry looking for more $$$.. thats FACT