Whatever has happened I am really disappointed he is going. I want to see world class players at the Giants and LOD is world class. Fielden and LOD bossed the first 20 mins last week, missed him today. Real shame we didn't see more minutes from him over the last few seasons.

Not really.

Leroy, Eorl, etc cannot be poached by an Aussie club after they've starred in the World Cup unless we give them permission to do so.

And permission is always given if a player wants to go.

And a suitable deal is drawn up. Sometimes they can just be released, a la LOD, and sometimes a juicy fee is involved, a la Brown. If they are under contract then the club has ultimate control and they weigh up the value of having a player who doesn't want to be at the club with things such as his potential destination, his importance to the team, any fee they might be entitled to and the savings they'd make on his wages that may or may not be used elsewhere. It's far more complex a picture than some like to intimate.

You can't miss what you never had! Seems to me that players sign up to long term contracts knowing that if they change their mind later they'll be released one way or another.