Easy , it’s the $$$$$$$$
I bet Penn doesn’t spend a dollar more than the NRL grant on coaching ( which I believe is 5 million a year ) whereas Uncle Nick says “ hold my beer “.
Let’s compare the pair ( using totally made up dollar figures but to show my thoughts on how it would have gone down).
D$E , hey Tony I’m thinking about playing two more years whatcya reckon ??
Mestrov, nah we think you’ll be good for maybe one last hurrah , how about $550k for one final contract
D$E , nah Tony , I’m worth at least a million a year for two years , I’m QLD captain you know.
Mestrov , sorry D$E we think it’s time to bring up a youngster and we can’t afford to do that by paying you two million.
D$E , GDay Nick , interested in signing me for two years at a million a year.
Nick , no way D$E, we’d love to have you but we’d need to do it another way , how about $400k for next year and then $1.3 million a year for two years coaching . Of course we’d only need you for 3 hours on a Thursday , every second week OH and I can sweeten the deal with an on air contract for Chan 9, another $750k a year , just the footy season , two shifts a week plus SOO & GF.
D$E , where do I sign !!!!