Agreed

But in fairness, I think you are probably allowed a few slips from time to time, as long as you continue to post reasoned arguments and opinions responsibly the rest of the time?

He does talk rubbish a lot of the time tho

We've talked about this elsewhere, and I know you feel strongly about it. And without a doubt you can see some of those areas of concern are shared by many (myself included). As I think has been said before, I don't see anyone saying we should through choice sell Sam? I'm sure the club through choice would not (and if they were in a position where they had no choice, then we ARE in trouble). And yes, I can't for one minute see us getting much cash if we released him early to go to Oz.

The thing is though, IF (as has been widely trailed in the media but never actually confirmed or denied) his new contract allowed him release if to Oz at end 2010, then since both he and the club willingly entered into that agreement you can't then take issue with Sam for wishing to exercise that release clause? Or with the club for recognising that the clause that they agreed to is there? Assuming of course it IS there, and since the club has not denied it I am assuming it is.

Then we get to the question of whether Sam - or his manager - or various antipodeans - have asked about the possibility of premature release. That is how it is playing out in the media, although I can't recall seeing Sam or even Caisley actually saying a premature release has been asked for by Sam? We HAVE seen what seems pretty unequivocal evidence that folk in Oz have enquired about this, and the only comments attributed to Hood that I have seen - in the Oz media - were that he would be going nowhere unless someone started talking numbers so big that no club could ignore them. Again, on the assumption that he would be free to go to Oz end next year anyway.

Sam's very recent comments read to me very much like he WOULD like to go ASAP, and he sort of implied (I suggest) that it was in the hands of the club to decide. So I feel sure there is a lot going on behind the scenes here. I would hope and expect that the club would make sure that there was indeed an enforceable commitment from Sam to return to us (provided the financial terms are OK) should he return within a reasonable period - should they agree to early release. Caisley should be the bloody expert on that by now...

And (as you know I have said before) why would the club consider early release if not primarily for the money? I suggest that if you can only keep a player for another season, and if he maybe can already sign now a contract for an Oz club to join them in 12 months so his performances next season will not affect his move to Oz anyway, and if (following the antics of his manager and high-profile Oz figures) he is now unsettled, then you are stuck with two choices. Its all very well saying in that case play him in the reserves to teach him a lesson but don't give in to him, but how would having a big chunk of salary cap tied up in a disgruntled high-profiler not helping the first team solve anything?

Its all still hypothetical because we continue to lack hard facts. We really could do without losing Sam. But if he has been persuaded he'd be better off personally seeking early release - IF - then I suggest the club has little option but to try and make the best of it. And you'd hope that Sam would remain sufficiently professional and honest that, should the club not be able to strike a deal reasonable in the circumstances and he can see that the club has indeed tried its best to accommodate his wishes, then he would in turn give HIS best next season.

As I say again though...we still know nowt!

Quote ="tigertot"Matty Smith off to Salford so it looks like it's sealed.'" www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15235 Indeed

Quote ="tigertot"Matty Smith off to Salford so it looks like it's sealed.'" www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=15235 Indeed

Doesn't sound like a player on his way to me. But other articles do .

Souths were going to give Bradford Craig Wing as part of a player trade but he didn't want to go to England.

Wish he did though. Went to Japan Rugby instead.

not sure what to make of it but did anyone else notice Breaver grab Sam's arm and force him to wave "goodbye" to the stand after todays game ?

sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere

Maybe just a joke?


Hopefully!

nothing unussual about that really he was and all the players were waving goodbye as it was the last game of the season at home

my mate was talking to Sam's mum earlier today and she said nothing was decided yet for next year.

is that good or bad surely julie would know yes or no

The impression I got from my mate was that "the club" hadn't decided yet. He'd like to go but is under contract so unless something is agreed between us and an Aussie club he'll be here next year.

Hope the Bulls dont sell them selves short and release Sam in the hope that he might one day come back to us. That's not the way, nor is selling him for under his market value.

What is the market value of Burgess if it is true and he can leave for Aus in a year?

Not sure what his market value is, but I'd expect it to be well in excess of 200k if Myler and Atkins are going for around similar amounts.

To other SL clubs.

Would you prefer we sell Burgess to Leeds or Stains or Pies - or Wire, since they seem to have a bottomless purse?

His market value here would likely be much higher than anything we are likely to get from an NRL club.

If we are going to sell him, it doesn't matter who we sell him to seen as though he is no longer in our team. and able to perform for us.

If we were to sell him then I would prefer it to be to the highest bidder, which as you say would be a SL club.

If we had a poll (and I have no intention of starting one) I suspect that nearly everyone would say that if Sam WAS to go, they'd prefer it to be to the NRL than to another SL club for a load of dosh?

Hey, I'm not everybody.
As I say, if he doesn't play for us then it doesn't really make a difference who he plays for. So the best option if wewere to sell him would be to sell him to the highest bidder, which as you say would probably be a super league club.

But that would mean him coming back to bite us big-time. Would that really be such a good idea? And make us a selling club, something you have said you don't want us to be, whereas if he goes to the NRL that's more a case of allowing a player to try his hand in the best competition in the game, provided the terms were OK?@

Does one of the Burgess twins work in Nandos by the showcase cinema in Birstall?

If so, he just made me my tea.

The only deal that you will get that is worth owt financially will have to come from a SL club,aussie clubs dont ever pay transfer fees,If i was a chairman at a SL club i would let sam run his contract out and then offer him a nice lucrative contract
I personally hope that he goes to oz, cos i reckon that he could be a wow of a player there

Indeed. I would suggest we would quite rightly be looking at a record transfer fee to sell to another SL club. But to another SL club he has 2 years left on his contract. I still feel we should consider accepting a reasonable offer of around 250k if we can use it to secure other signings. But if it is just going to sit in the coffers then perhaps we should hold onto him for another year.

Why would it? It would be the allowing him to leave in the first place(whatever means and terms they are) that comes back to bites us, not what club he goes to.

I don't want us to be a selling club, I don't want Sam to leave, but if we are selling/releasing him then it makes more sence to get the best deal we can for him.

If he wants out and we are thinking about letting him leave, would you rather, Sell him for most cash, or release him with sentiment for probably a lot below what we can get for him if he were on the market?

Thre's to much of nicey niceness from Bulls fans towards this situation in my books.

Sell him and take the money now, if there is no money on offer then keep him til his contract's up.