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Blake Austin from Canberra Raiders for start of 2019 season.

Gazwire wrote:

Blake Austin from Canberra Raiders for start of 2019 season.

I thought he was gonna go to Parra or somewhere, didn't think he'd come to SL.

Both start 2019 season.

George King to Wakefield from Warrington.

John Bateman to Canberra from Wigan.

Sheldon wrote:

I thought he was gonna go to Parra or somewhere, didn't think he'd come to SL.

Without Marwan’s marquee player rule Blake Austin wouldn’t be coming to Super League, I’m no fan of Marwan Koukash but it’s certainly helping us keep/attract some superstar players in Super League.

Sir Kevin Sinfield wrote:

Without Marwan’s marquee player rule Blake Austin wouldn’t be coming to Super League, I’m no fan of Marwan Koukash but it’s certainly helping us keep/attract some superstar players in Super League.

Name a overseas Marquee player who has played/seen out his contract. They come for a quick buck then get back on a plane down under.

Sir Kevin Sinfield wrote:

Without Marwan’s marquee player rule Blake Austin wouldn’t be coming to Super League, I’m no fan of Marwan Koukash but it’s certainly helping us keep/attract some superstar players in Super League.

Is it helping clubs run better though? Throwing a load of money at one player who may or may not be a hit. Same money cold be spent on several departments of a club to improve it overall and longer lasting than one or two seasons. With stuff like this we’re at the whim of an owner preparing to lose money which isn’t the smartest way forward.

ThePrinter wrote:

Is it helping clubs run better though? Throwing a load of money at one player who may or may not be a hit. Same money cold be spent on several departments of a club to improve it overall and longer lasting than one or two seasons. With stuff like this we’re at the whim of an owner preparing to lose money which isn’t the smartest way forward.

Going off topic a little here but...

To be fair, we are one of the better ran clubs, and generally run a profit year on year (I’m guessing last years accounts aren’t too pretty though).

They have invested heavily off the field - stadium extension to the corners (Another 3 phases of stadium upgrades also planned when the time is right), new £500k training barn, brought in a new guy to run the academy / talent id section this season too.

We can afford it and with Moran and Middleton have financial security for many years to come you would expect.

So what's the deal with players like Austin and Lolohea coming over to SL? Are we really managing to offer more than an NRL club to these players depsite the huge salary cap disparity?
As far as I'm aware neither player has disgraced themselves or have been forced out by a scandal etc. Both are still relatively young, so aren't necessarily coming over here for early retirement money.

I'm not complaining that SL is managing to attract the calibre of these two, I'm just a bit baffled as to how we're pulling it off.

Nothus wrote:

So what's the deal with players like Austin and Lolohea coming over to SL? Are we really managing to offer more than an NRL club to these players depsite the huge salary cap disparity?
As far as I'm aware neither player has disgraced themselves or have been forced out by a scandal etc. Both are still relatively young, so aren't necessarily coming over here for early retirement money.

I'm not complaining that SL is managing to attract the calibre of these two, I'm just a bit baffled as to how we're pulling it off.

They have found out the fish and chips and beer is better hear then in Australia lol