BrisbaneRhino wrote:
I can't see how Leeds could force Watkins to take a pay cut if he's got a contract unless there are some odd clauses in there. If he's upset because they've raised the possibility then he needs to visit the real world where we're hovering around the relegation zone and he's been so poor he's been pushed into the second row. I understand the injury and recovery but if if we have both Newman and Hurrell centre isn't exactly our weakest position. I'm not sure that these articles are necessarily in Watkins' best interest either - whilst most fans will have some sympathy, I'm sure all most of us care about is staying in SL.
What this might help explain is how we've got into this position with such a mediocre squad. If Leeds started to backload contracts (delay increases for some players to stay under the cap) then its probably no surprise. It destroyed the rosters of both Manly and the Bulldogs under Des Hasler. Both clubs built strong teams on the back of promised major pay rises for good squad players, only to realise they ended up paying massive wages to players who weren't that vital in the first place and were also in some cases well past their best. The Dogs are still wrecked from it (last year they were reportedly paying Greg Eastwood $750k to play reserve grade because he understandably refused to take a pay cut to move elsewhere).
There is a lot of devil in the detail of players' contracts which we're just not privy to, but nevertheless constrains KS in what he wants to do.
You're right that back-ended contracts are a great way to put a time bomb under a club.
Why don't they try a basic salary reflective of how senior a player they are, topped up with regular performance bonuses based on form? We have Opta stats if nothing else.
If a player is injured then insurance kicks in to protect their income at whatever level.
Trying to guess what any player might be worth, in terms of contribution, even 1 season ahead is usually impossible.
