Gus and Gal go balistic over mid-season signings | Wide World of Sports

[@flyingfish6903]

As someone who's only joined NRL in the last few years, signing players a year out is one of the things I like about the game. If the same thing happened in AFL, that player wouldn't get a kick for the rest of the year. I think it shows real maturity to allow players to sign for another club down the line and still honour their existing contract.

[@queenslander7756]

I love Gus! He just talks so much sense!!!❤️👍🏼

[@brians4640]

If it's such a "big ask" to move your family 5 months in advance then don't move and accept you get less pay. Half the clubs are in the same city anyway. You can't have your cake and eat it too. End of season transfer window is a must.

[@jjteetee6209]

Gals loyalty. Unmatched

[@anaruaugust2534]

Making his money in boxing 🥊 loyalty to Sharks. He’s a bloody good operator

[@wetknuckles]

He knows where the good SARS are at.

[@treybingarape3688]

Agree, not too many in media can talk about loyalty

[@brians4640]

He's not even from the Shire. He's a Westie born in wentworthville

[@kers225abk2]

Ive been a fan of Ponga for a long while but honestly he hasn't played good footy in two years. Dolphins are better off going for Reece Walsh or Hammer.

[@tjohnstone9335]

Hammer needs to get out off townsville to grow bro hell he a star

[@maxfish4770]

Opposition's have him worked out, injuries didn't help but he needs to evolve his game like the really good ones do.

[@ppmppm7010]

He'd be a different player with good players around him but he's not a marquee player

[@nathanstolz4650]

guys seriously an exception has to be made, how do you expect someone to build a team from scratch at the end of the year before they start?

[@0ucandoit0]

Im happy with the way it is, as storm fan knowing Brandon Smith is leaving at the end of the year. You get to the character of the player, if the keep trying to the best of their abilities or give up for the yr. I really hate seeing players on one team and few weeks in they’re playing for another.

[@chazwozza2662]

If there is a salary cap there should be a transfer window in the off season, it's as simple as that. And no drafts! Drafts kill team loyalty.

[@paulieplayspoorly]

Maybe if local juniors didn't count? Unless they put their hands up.

[@camerontheodore3036]

Gal does have a point. Nrl is the only sport I know that other teams can sign players while still having a whole year left on there contract to play for there team.

[@bman23Q]

The Dolphins don’t need the most overrated player of all time.

[@chazwozza2662]

lol

[@johnburke6332]

Sonny Bill is retired anyway so it's not gonna happen.

[@izzy031096]

Ponga plays half a season at most. He’s a walking injury

[@swaizy592]

@@izzy031096 that’s true he not worth even what the knights pay him

[@khanpaniora5346]

sbw is doing boxing now, he doesn't play rugby or league anymore

[@am2261]

Why'd he single out Dubbo?! What's the matter with Dubbo.....?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@connorduke4619]

The didn't want to affect the feelings of Birdsville.

[@haydos817]

Wouldn't introducing a draft disincentivise team's junior programs if those players in their system can just get drafted by other clubs? I only know how the U.S one works so would appreciate any input.

[@widesreentv]

It kind of depends In the AFL the Sydney swans, GWS giants , Brisbane lions and Gold Coast suns have academy's in place which basically means if they enter your academy (they have part of the region that is there eg. GWS might have Parramatta and Penrith) any player who enters there academy can be picked up by the club whose academy they are in at a discount By discount the AFL have changes their draft system where each pick is put on a point system for example pick 1 is worth 3000 points whereas pick 2 might be worth 2500 points, pick 50 might be worth 300 points So the academy's get a discount on what they would have to give up if another club who doesn't have this kid in their academy has pick 1 and picks him the giants have a 20% discount to match the draft points so instead of having to pay equivalent of 3000 points they would only have to pay 2400 points

[@haydos817]

@@widesreentv Ah ok, that sounds pretty good. Cheers

[@bodgiesteve8849]

A draft was introduced in the early 90s, Terry Hill challenged it in court, and won. 'Restraint of Trade' under Australian law.

[@banjopiggottwright1802]

As logical as a Draft would be for the NRL. I think the way forward is to give all 16 Clubs the incentive and resources to develop their junior/senior club affiliate teams and representative pathways, so that way we keep club loyalty while also making it a fairer playing field for every club's long-term future prospects.

[@henrywaller9546]

I agree with Gus, not Gal. Idk what Gal means when he says, "the fans hate it." Knowing a player is going to leave? That's what happens in sports, players move. Storm lose The Cheese, they'll sign somewhere else. "What if he's got a family?" Almost everyone I know would move across the country for $X00,000/year. I personally love the transfer merry-go-round, it's exciting, and creates extra context. I agree the signing 12 months out is bad because players get chucked on the bench and it'll take them a few extra months to get their mojo. The NRL could never do trades because that would be too costly for the player. It works in the NBA because they get paid way better, and the logistics become easier. I love Ponga but he is a $700k player, not $1.1mil. He hasn't done anything in the NRL yet.

[@jimmartin9704]

Why does all of our sports have to follow a American theme. The NRL should of thought of these things before it went professional. There is not enough elite players to sustain 12 clubs let alone 17

[@maxfish4770]

12 or 14 teams would make a even draw too. Proper home and away.

[@khanpaniora5346]

unless that st George dragons and Illawarra Steelers unmerged

[@jimmartin9704]

@@khanpaniora5346 Yes all of the merged teams were a joke. You will not successful merge teams with 40,50,60 years playing on there own. Poorly done

[@unluckym8978]

So do clubs get to negotiate with players on there roster b4 the 12 month ruling? If so how is this fair they also get to extend contracts b4 the 12 month ruling or am i wrong

[@Luke-ms4rp]

All respect to Gal too. That was one hell of a grand final

[@maxfish4770]

Could have used photo shop Gus 🤣

[@JJSPARROW1978]

Plenty of industries have people relocated with only months to do it. It's like telling a soldier that they can refuse a posting, even though when they joined, they knew full well this could happen. When you are on $100k or more, comes with the job. Allow negotiation at any time, because you can never police it, but only allow contracts to be entered after mid-Oct till end-Feb. With cavaets that have no contract by Feb to extend until they do. It's not rock surgery..

[@bodgiesteve8849]

Since when can a soldier refuse a posting? That's bordering on treason.

[@lukemac7854]

Joey’s crying but at the same time is tell Luke brooks to leave tiger and come to knight. The only reason Brandon smith leave is storm is money, they can’t keep everyone but while they can you would want him in your team

[@ElConqueefTador]

"The fans hate it" Never cared about it gal

[@Jp-do9ny]

Ponga is the most overrated player of all time. Can't tackle, rarely runs over 100 meters and only likes doing the pretty stuff. Not to mention he only plays 3 bad games for one good game. Papi, turbo, tedesco, Edwards and Mitchell are all better.

[@anarua3287]

He is overrated - but he gets paid big money - good luck to him. Munster would be the better buy surely - premiership winner, State of Origin winner - and an influential player for the Storm.

[@Jp-do9ny]

@@anarua3287 yeah I think munster and Walsh would be better

[@anarua3287]

@@Jp-do9ny yes. Munster proven champion and Walsh a tonne of upside

[@daveross1638]

Ive been saying it since he left the cowboys and got his dad to have a cry in the newspaper because they wouldnt realease him from his contract. He thinks he is bigger then the team another Mundine. He'll be playing union in a cple years

[@plc2866]

I’m not sure Gus should be talking about honouring contracts or options to get out of contracts, that’s what he did with the Warriors!

[@KanyeKetchup]

For serious?

[@Adsventures]

Mid season signings players leaving really is Messing with the entire integrity of the game. The fans and Supporters are getting sick of it. It’s really becoming difficult to even want to support the $$$$$$$$$ of Rugby league these days!

[@adambrander1275]

If a player signs to another club with a year left at his current club then the coach should play them in the reserves if there lucky or just tell them to go asap.

[@dizzystj]

A draft would would add extra drama for the drama queen

[@bodgiesteve8849]

Player draft is not legal under Australian law. It was tested in court, by Terry Hill in the early 1990s, and found to be a 'restraint of trade' under federal law.

[@steeleheraud3496]

How does that work for the AFL ?

[@bodgiesteve8849]

@@steeleheraud3496 Nobody has challenged it in court. Once someone is not happy, and takes it to court, they will win. And AFL will be obliged to discontinue the practice.

[@martingoodef811]

Buying players is buying wins, there is no loyalty by players to their clubs and their clubs fans. Reduce their payments, contracts increase in value yearly for loyalty, the longer you remain at a club, the more you are paid.

[@grantpopplewell38]

Salary cap is a restraint of trade, and it forces players out of their club, They sign a contract for security for their families

[@khanpaniora5346]

salary caps could been targeting the top 4 NRL TEAMS

[@macka9999]

Agree with gal on this 1

[@AC26875]

“It’s as simple as that.”

[@StuAus]

Gallen is living in the 70's.

[@bushranger2]

The real trouble is that it's the same old player who has done nothing for their losing team moving on and expect to do great things at a new losing side for more money. A lot of these guys shouldn't be playing NRL. The scouting for new talent and giving a young bloke a go doesn't seem to be there. It seems to be who you know or my Dad played NRL or if you're a kiwi for the size factor to steam roll the opposition to win which is killing JRL. (No offence to the kiwis intended). There are hardly any games where I think this is a truly great game I'm watching. There's too much money for these young blokes who have no loyalty to their club and maybe I'm too old but I don't see these guys fighting hard for themselves or their family to give anyone a reason why they should progress further financally after giving such half hearted performances so often. The whole thing needs a big shake up.

[@jasonedwin7021]

Wayne Bennett's just trying to get the best quality players signed for the NEW team. Can't expect him to wait till the end of 2022 season.

[@patrickegan8866]

Projecting their own flaws onto others. To suggest someone won't give 100% because they've signed elsewhere is stupid. Players will have unannounced plans throughout the year. Are you also suggesting a player who wishes to retire stops giving 100% effort once that decision has been made? Players have a right to a secure future and the ability to pursue it however they see fit

[@KurtPreston]

Gus is an engineer

[@kevinknight1924]

Players get out of contracts and move in two weeks mid season. And you’re saying they can’t do it at seasons end ? Come on Gal.

[@shannonavery9449]

who the hell is the guy next to Gal?

[@mitch4253]

Player transferred is such a distraction for the players, teams, coaches and the fans. A dirty and messy affair.. it should just be left to the off season. There is always more talk about who’s leaving or staying rather than focusing on individual efforts and team performance.

[@camerontheodore3036]

Damn if bulldogs held off on the kikau signing they could've signed Munster.

[@samoankid2077]

It's a big ask 😂😂but it's the player that signs they are not forced to move 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@sallymay24]

Gus coughing …then finding out he has covid today 😳

[@brendandyer6510]

Your constant winging is not a good look for the game Gallen

[@princezuko549]

How can player's remain loyal when clubs can't ? Clubs will be the first to tell each player it's business

[@kaviengsurfer4495]

Kaylyn play for the Allblacks? 🤣🤣🤣

[@kingjack7108]

Are all the dolphins fans going to be bandwagons cause how else will they get fans😂

[@qcthesxientist]

Theyll all be day 1 fans technically

[@garybaltiejus7248]

Ponga is going to Redcliffe I would bet my bottom dollar on that

[@droctagon3k]

To move at the end of the year is a big ask? Cos what it eats into your holiday time?? Give me a break.

[@palangawickham]

Wayne's just stirring the pot....

[@laselletaia1326]

Draft would mean

[@paulieplayspoorly]

"... If you've already decided to leave Penrith, come to the Bulldogs". I imagine Wayne Bennet used words like that to Ponga.

[@zayatheaussie4567]

no way paul

[@simonhawkins7384]

I like Paul gallon, ok there I said it lmfao

[@southsea8252]

contracts these days are a joke anyway

[@Rich6270]

Yep Wide World Of Roughts

[@sentientbean1]

As ballistic as a Ukrainian missile...

[@theultimatebus]

What’s the point of developing young talent from academies if we’re just gonna throw em into a draft

[@markcool8750]

Stop bloody whinging. As player you do what's best for you, not the fans. Is the fans going to pay the players bills, look after their partners, wife's, mortgage, kids 🤔 NO You look after number 1 YOU!

[@lukeheywood4137]

Both are off. Football(soccer) is the biggest sport in the world. They have 2 transfer windows a season just do that and get on with it.

[@julianalderson3938]

Love kalyn bit na not worth that yet. For me.

[@vodic84]

I hope all those on the panel went into iso (haha yea right) - gus is as crook as a dogs hind leg. If the boogeyman is as contagious as claimed, they'd all be coming down with it.

[@missybilly7777]

Gus is a hypocrite 😂😂😂😂

[@movieklump]

There are too many teams so what does the NRL do? Add another team. The comp would be best with 12 teams playing each other twice. Saints and West did the right thing in the 90s with mergers but all the other Sydney clubs winged and ruined the completion.

[@julianalderson3938]

Poor fans.

[@AreLL]

he's overrated. get rid of him