You couldn't make much of an argument against pretty much anything Hargreaves says, but it is from a very jaundiced viewpoint (understandably so).

Whilst it is true that average SL players (which in fact means far better players than the vast majority in the country, and only means "average" as compared to the SL and NRL elite) will only get "average" pay, that can still be a shedload more than most working men and there are other rewards often available to many. Plus, it should not be overlooked that a good career in the top levels of the game can and often does open doors for business or employment when you hang up your boots.

Plus apart from monetary values, there must be something of value in 'being somebody', and the acclaim that comes with being a successful player, the rare opportunity to experience the buzz of top level games, finals, even in some case international careers. Can't put a price on those sort of things, save to say most people will never experience winning the GF at OT or the CC at Wembley or an Ashes Test.

If he has become disillusioned at the same time as a cracking opportunity for a future outside the game coming up, it's entirely understandable that he would consider it, but while the game has big financial worries, I can't see the top players becoming poorly paid any time soon.

Isn't this just a player who can't earn the living playing rugby league he think he should have because clubs do not value him as highly as he thinks he is worth? If you're good enough, someone will pay you it, simple as that.

No its not.
Its a player who has seen sle slowly fall apart over the last few years,culminating with his own club falling into the abyss.
It sound like he can see whats round the corner for other clubs also, and want no part of it anymore.

But for middling players contracts are typically for 2 years or even just 1 - not great security. Even a permanent job is only permanent until your post is made redundant, of course, but at least you usually get a pay-out.

Now, eventually the market would correct - players leaving leading to greater competition for talent and longer contracts, but that isn't much consolation to players now.
Although going to 14 teams and the NRL goldrush should be strengthening players' negotiating position - our chairmen has said wage demands are up dramatically. All depends on your POV, I guess.

He has had a more secure offer from another business-simple

Throwing a few ill thought out handgrenades as he goes out of the door.

Burning his bridges - lets hope it works out for him and he doesn't have to come back to RL to make ends meet......

Ah. He's Mystic Meg. That explains it, then. Except why if he can see into the future, he ain't a rich man from lottery winnings

More a case of if you're not with a top 4/5 club your earning potential and job security are not that good , his decision , it will give somebody else a chance , lets hope its another british player

It all may not be that well thought through but he's got a few points. The games in a frustrating state at the moment full stop with how it's structured and what's happening with the academy Compatitions being major issues.

His last point is the real winner. The Stobart deal has been done to death but how could we seriously enter in to that arrangement? The clubs were meant to have voted on it but somebody must have had the final call or at least took it seriously enough in the first place to put it to the clubs. That person shouldn't still be in a job it was that bad.

The sports crying out for investment. Teams are making cutbacks fighting not to go to the wall. They're scrapping their academy teams to save money yet we take a deal where we basically got paid in magic beans! Sadly they were dud.

Don't get me wrong of he feels he can be more secure elsewhere then fair play and good luck to him. You have to respect that.

I just don't think players are treated that badly at all (are they comparing themselves to footballers?) and surely the Bulls case highlights that! He even says himself clubs would love to pay them more etc etc, they just can't!

The Stobart deal has indeed been done to death, but frankly, the handling of that alone should be enough to convince anyone of the gross incompetence at the top.

The most terrifying thing about the Stobart deal was not the deal itself, but that people could come out and claim it was worth millions. Either those people are cynical liars (bad), or they actually believed what they were saying (worse).

The sport has simply got to get rid of the RFL leadership, it's too pathetic for words. League needs a ton of stuff doing to make it the best it can be (and yes, that's all we ask for - the best it can be. It's no good talking c**p like "we'll never compete with Union, etc." I don't care - I just want to look at the leadership and think, yep, good professionals doing as good a job as anyone could do to get the best out of our sport.)

The problem is that its no good coming up with good ways for the sport to move forward because whatever the idea, its going to be implemented by people not up to the job.

Has Wood got a job for life? Can the clubs vote him out? How long do we have to watch this shambles?

This.