That's the way we have to think in modern football. The moment you let players who've been here for one season think they have the club over a barrel- you're cooked. JB is an outstanding 2nd rower. But we are a chance at winning the comp and plenty of damn good 2nd rowers will jump at the chance to play under Ricky, have a shot at the title and earn 500/600k.julian87 wrote: ↑May 25, 2020, 8:04 pm One thing I will add is that I still really dislike how so many people just don’t take the salary cap into account when comparing players. That’s what this is all about.
I think absolute worst case scenario should be we can’t match the deal so we try and win the comp this year and if he’s gone after that so be it. I realize us fans live in the now but I believe sometimes clubs don’t think enough about that. Even if we miss this year and it’s untenable so he leaves it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Stuart pulls off some rejinking and has us capable next year minus Bateman.
Bottom line is we HAVE to have him here this year while we’re a shot. Beyond that who knows. Surely the bloke has enough ticker to commit to that.
It isn't a spine position. Whitehead and Hodo are more essential than Bateman and only one of them is near 800k (hint, he's in the spine).