Problems with Joel transfer

Quote: captaindan "It may be stating the obvious, but speculation just breeds bad feeling.
I would not blame Joel for going to RU for the money, I would hate to see him go, but good luck to the lad.
He has given a lot to our club in his career so far and I have nothing but admiration for the commitment and desire he has shown in developing into the fine player that he is.
I would love him to announce that his heart is here in Wigan and RU can beggar off but at that age, would I? would you? if I am honest, the answer is no. I would want to make as much money as quickly as possible before my career ended.

Either way, Joel is one of us, will always be, one of us. So stop giving the lad a hard time and show that as supporters, we are here to support our players in the tough decisions and respect their choices whatever they may be.

The business end of things can be sorted behind closed doors and neither Joel or us need to worry about the compensation or contract buy out if it should happen. I am sure that Mr. Ian Lenegan will get the best deal available if required to do so, but I just want to see Joel treated well, by the club, by the press but most of all, by us.

CD'"

It is stating the obvious to say that anyone would want to go where there's more money. But I personally would be a lot more impressed if Joel went to the NRL - where there is plenty more money than here (so that's that base covered) and where there is also plenty more of a challenge, 1000% more than there is in RU.

At present he's not just going for the big money, it looks like he's going for the easy money, which is less endearing to a top performer in a red-blooded combat sport like ours.

There is also a bigger picture issue.

If Joel goes, he will only be one of several high profile RL players who at the very first sign of a bigger payday have suddenly wanted to tear up their existing contracts and leave the sport. It isn't an exodus, but it doesn't need to be in order to weaken us significantly. If the rumours I hear are true, and Union, once they've got Joel, then target Sam, and after that Ben Jones-Bishop, and then who next maybe? - George Williams, Ryan Hampshire (who'll just be about the right age), we'll be losing irreplacable talent on a regular basis - and will be seen increasingly as RU's feeder sport. Spin in however you wish, but I can't thank these players for that.

I don't wish to see them insulted in the street, barred from their former clubs, etc, but while you can truthfully say that these guys have a right to choose their own future, find financial security etc, it can also truthfully be said that - collectively - they are letting an awful lot of people down because they are badly damaging British RL.

Let's not admit one truth and then hide from the other.