Billy Slater LEAVING?!?!?

Question

I just read this:

"Meanwhile, it has emerged Slater will be the next high-profile NRL player to explore a switch to French rugby union.

It is understood Slater has a get-out clause in his contract similar to the one used by Mark Gasnier to leave the Dragons.

Slater, whose partner Nicole is expecting their first child in October, looms as the next star to be targeted by cashed-up European rugby clubs.

The clause allows him out of his Melbourne deal if he receives an offer from rugby union or England's Super League.

Slater's manager George Mimis would not confirm the clause, but said it was his duty to look after Slater's interests.

"We would be naive not to explore options," he said.

The possible loss of Slater is enough to set off alarm bells around the NRL.

I can't find anything else about it, does anyone know?

(http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,24062238-5003409,00.html)

Answer 1

French rugby is cashed up at the moment, in a few years it might be someone else. I honestly do not understand why NRL clubs and fans are really so concerned.

The players are professional sportsmen, if anyone says they are surprised a player would consider leaving the NRL then they are not being realisitic. Of course players will listen to offers, many will reject them some will accept them, in the same way union players used to become league converts years ago.

The salary cap must stay, too many clubs have boards without enough business knowledge to survive long term because their goals become short term success.

Is it really suprising that some players played union when they were in their teens then became league players, why then would it be surprsing for a player to think it a challenge to go the other way in their 20's?

Is it really surprising that players would consider leaving the NRL for Englands Super League? Listen to interviews of some of the current aussies over there and get an idea of how they look at their move.

For the NRL to think its players won't or shouldn't or are making a mistake just shows an arrogance that is totally unjustified about itself. And sure fans want their best possible team but if they too think their game/club is the ultimate and no professional should ever leave then I'm afraid they too need to reassess how out of touch they might be from the real world.

Answer 2

dunny bill williams will go to europe before billy slater, so i wouldn't be to concerned!

and who cares if players do move on? there's plenty of young up and coming talent to replace them!

EDIT.... seen the news tonight?

dunny bill, walks out on bulldogs and is repotedly going to france to sign a deal worth 3 million for 2 years!

Answer 3

The answer to this question is obvious if the league supporters got off their asses and went to games  then the salary cap might get lifted to allow these superstars of the game to stay in australia. I believe the NRL is the best comp for rugby league in the world, but there is no money, mainly because of poor crowd support

Answer 4

it wont happen yet

but it will happen

Answer 5

No need to panic, Storm CEO Brian Waldron said this morning there is no chance of Slater leaving Melbourne. NRL managers are parasites, they start rumours to try and pump up there wallets, if Slater leaves Melbourne they may as well lock the gates at the Graveyard the little interest Victorians have for NRL revolves heavily around Billy and to a lessor extent Inglis and Falou

Answer 6

I very much doubt the NRL wil let him go without a fight.

Rugby League seems to be going in a downward spiral as it is, if we keep losing our top players, I can't see much hope for the game.

It's time NRL does something to protect our much loved game and scrap the salary caps!

Answer 7

I hope he leaves so they can close down the team in melbourne and move it to NSW Central Coast where it is needed!

Answer 8

Nah, i think you got it wrong, Billy "Mundine"

Slater enjoyed the punch up in last Mondays game against St George, so much,that he`s decided to embark on a boxing career.

Good Luck Billy, you deserve it >

Answer 9

The CEO's who allow clauses to be inserted into contracts only have themselves to blame when the "get outs" are activated! Salary cap has to stay. Why can't the NRL have a draft like the AFL? The crowds are poor because the $ : entertainment value is poor. As is the standard of refs, even the video ref gets as many right decisions as wrong ones.

Answer 10

While I agree that something needs to be done to ensure the elite player drain des not escalate I disagree heavily with the idea mention by Grasshopper that the salary cap be scrapped. There is far less money available to pay players in Australian sport compared with Europe or North America and the salary cap as it stands in the sports that utilise it is a protection mechanism to save clubs from themselves enssentially.

Without the salary cap clubs would quickly find themselves in a position of being unable to meet their finacial obligations due to inflated player salaries....don't think it can happen? The ARL / Super League war drove a lot of clubs close to the wall. It is over a decade later and it's still easy to see the haves and have nots in the NRL competition.

The club based salary cap needs to be retained and if anything strengthen to heavier punish clubs that flaunt it. The easiest way for a competition like the NRL to compete when it comes to more financially able competitions without endangering it's clubs is to loosen the third party player payment rules. Elite, marquee players really should be looked after to ensure they remain in the competition and allowing a larger (and I mean far larger) amount of third party sponsorship payments that can be distrubuted to elite players on top of their club salary.

While I won't side with the doomdays predictions of the demise of the NRL doing something to stop the drain is the only way the competition will remain the strongest rugby league competition in the world.

Answer 11

Get back on your horse Billy Slater....and dont come back!

Answer 12

there's no way Billy will leave the Strom after what he has done for the club and aussie

he is without a doubt the number 1 fullback in league at the mintute with Karmhicael Hunt not in form he has grown in to the Full Back role for Aussie and Queensland

Answer 13

Will 'e go or not. Waldon says no (can you believe him) and Slater and his agent say "maybe". If it is correct what was reported in the newspapers (and the papers don't lie, do they), Slater does have a get out clause. It is too late for him to change now but when the window on his contract is open again next year?? Who knows.

All Waldron can do is to match or better future overseas offers. This I do doubt he can do due to  the salary cap. It will depend on what Slater wants, nothing more nothing less.

Answer 14

I dont think you need to stress about it he'll stay