If he wants to go, how could the club make him stay?

I'm not sure they could - or should be seen to - enforce his contract if he returned to Australia. the only reason to play hard ball would be nothing to do with Eastwood and all about getting some compensation from whichever NRL side wanted him. Given the likely relatively small scale of that compensation and the resultant impact on Leeds' image Down Under, I can't see that happening.

If the rumours are even half true then I suspect he'll leave at the end of the year. If he asked to be released during the season then I'm glad Leeds didn't let him go. The end of the year is a different matter unless we can't get a suitable replacement.

The difficulty is the longer we leave it the more difficult it will be to get a suitable replacement.
I wonder if Heighington fancies coming over?

I'd be surprised if the Tigers were willing to release him mate he and Ellis are the "Engines"
in their engine room.

They couldn't but they could prevent him playing elsewhere during the duration of his contract. or make life very difficult for him.

He is going back home, you nearly had Andrew Ryan as a replacement but he decided to stay in oz

But I presume he would then count on the salary cap, which may not be in the clubs interests. If the rumours are true, I can't see him leaving till the end of the season, (he's injured anyway so why would he leave) but the wheels may already be in motion to line up a replacement if he leaves "by mutual consent"

Meh,

Would yuo all be this understanding if, say, Sinfield, wanted to walk out mid contract and play for Wigan because it's closer to home?

Unfortunately yes or at least I would, once all reasonable steps have been taken to mediate with the player. If the player wants out of the club then ultimately that is what is most likely to happen (unless the player has a change of heart or can be persuaded to stay.) I'd nominate McDermott to take the Kissanger role.

If that fails then the contract would be used to determine the neccessary level of compensation required.

The club moves on, it has to.

If Gregs unhappy then the club should not and im sure won't stand in his way of returning home. It will be very disappointing for the fans but I can fully understand if he does go. Coming over here at 22 was a huge move for him...

Bless him.

I see it as slightly different a player returning to Aus and a player going to another SL side. Many SL clubs (including Leeds I'm sure) take players already contracted to NRL sides, the NRL clubs seem to allow these players to go off earn their wad despite being contracted. we could therefore release one and get a replacement (note I said i'd expect the club to be working on this).

It would be difficult to release a player to another SL club (ie a direct competitor) unless some sort of compromise acceptable to both clubs is reached or it was in the interest of Leeds to release the player.

I agree with tvoc if all efforts to convince him to stay have failed then it's pointless imo to try and keep him.

Would rather promote from within than sign Ryan and i'm sure he turned Salford down not sure we even made an offer!

Indeed - it was a huge move for his bank balance more like...

Still, if he goes back to the NRL on a lower contract it might keep him out of the pie shops as much.