Agree with that, it's a big blow.

i doubt he has actually retired. i bet he pops up in the NRL. maybe a loophole that allows the club can make a mid season signing?

Jones leaving, Dawson & Lomax injured, Swift is a bit random? Mcdonnel might be so cheap it makes no odds to have him around.

He wouldn't be able to without Saints agreeing to it? We might do of course, does seem like he's retiring as he's sick of not playing rather than actually that badly injured.

Time to get on the rumour thread me thinks!

everyones a winner then. he gets to sign for a new club and saints free the cap up. I expect he's had a pay off.

This is a bit odd as he is clearly not retiring through injury. This appears to be a get out that gives him some face saving result i.e. he wasn't given he boot officially when in fact it looks like he was told that his chances of playing were small.

It seems the rumours (also proven by the team selections of late) of him being out of favour with KC were true.

The moral of the story seems to be don't get on the wrong side of the coach.

A payoff would be pointless? It would count on the cap in full. What is more likely is he's forgone the remainder of his contract in exchange for being allowed to leave now. That is what I take from the wording of the announcement, with the mentions of Lance informing the club, no mention of an injury and the 'no further comment' line.

would it though? in theory he is no longer an employee and therfore should no longer show on any future payroll. it depends how the law is written up i guess and whether it takes into account transfers, retirements or de registered players

Only if it was done through the books. Maybe Lance's wife has just sold a pair old sock on ebay for £10,000?

correct! its the old "we will pay you minimum wage but employee your wife as a cleaner on £250 000 a year"

It certainly leaves us with more questions than answers. I imagine the rumours will be flying over the next few days, no doubt something will eventually emerge. We'll certainly miss the adaptability he brought to the squad, and I wish him luck for the future.