Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:51 am  

vastman wrote:

It probably was his agent, but at 24 years of age he should know the score by now. If there was an offer he should just have taken it. Not many players covered themselves in glory last year and Kershaw was one. He was far from the worst but he still wasn’t in a strong position.

Whatever the truth, it’s to late now imho, there comes a point where neither side is truly committed. Doesn’t help that the lad has history in this regard.

Not sure how he has history, if you are referring to him having to step away from the game as he was not earning enough to support himself then I’m not sure that’s fair.

I think us fans see playing professional sport as a privilege, but the reality is it’s a job and it is earned by talent and ability that’s what sets them apart from us in the stands.

Players have lifestyle expectations they need to support just like the rest of us and if the wages offered do not meet those expectations then they move on.

I can’t talk about the new ownership as I don’t know the policy but under the recently departed administration the attitude towards our homegrown players was very much “you are lucky to play for Trinity, this is the deal, sign it.” ….and in most cases it wasn’t in line with their market value or even value to the club.

I’m hopeful this policy is addressed under Matt Ellis.

As I’ve mentioned before I’d have preferred to retain Kersh over signing Jerry and I’m sure we could have got Kersh for less than we are paying Jerry, so looking at it like that it’s an odd one.

Looking at the bigger picture Kersh may have wanted a couple of years where as Jerry being here for 1 year gives us options as we look beyond 2024 as clearly we need to focus on this year but also be planning for our SL return and recruitment too.

Talk of TJ etc returning for 2025 it’s all part of the bigger picture and longer term planning so 1 year for Jerry makes sense from that point of view.

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:59 am  

jonh wrote:

Not sure how he has history, if you are referring to him having to step away from the game as he was not earning enough to support himself then I’m not sure that’s fair.

.

I think it's more linked to him supposedly signing for Newcastle not long after that Hermes storyline.

[PopTart]

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sat Jan 06, 2024 12:23 pm  

I have to confess, I have history of working and earning money too.

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sat Jan 06, 2024 9:05 pm  

jonh wrote:

Not sure how he has history, if you are referring to him having to step away from the game as he was not earning enough to support himself then I’m not sure that’s fair.

I think us fans see playing professional sport as a privilege, but the reality is it’s a job and it is earned by talent and ability that’s what sets them apart from us in the stands.

Players have lifestyle expectations they need to support just like the rest of us and if the wages offered do not meet those expectations then they move on.

I can’t talk about the new ownership as I don’t know the policy but under the recently departed administration the attitude towards our homegrown players was very much “you are lucky to play for Trinity, this is the deal, sign it.” ….and in most cases it wasn’t in line with their market value or even value to the club.

I’m hopeful this policy is addressed under Matt Ellis.

As I’ve mentioned before I’d have preferred to retain Kersh over signing Jerry and I’m sure we could have got Kersh for less than we are paying Jerry, so looking at it like that it’s an odd one.

Looking at the bigger picture Kersh may have wanted a couple of years where as Jerry being here for 1 year gives us options as we look beyond 2024 as clearly we need to focus on this year but also be planning for our SL return and recruitment too.

Talk of TJ etc returning for 2025 it’s all part of the bigger picture and longer term planning so 1 year for Jerry makes sense from that point of view.

He has a history of putting out press stories, thought that was pretty obvious.

Playing sport for a living is a privilege, come off it. Yes it’s a job first but it’s also a dream and a vocation or it should be if you want to be the best. You seem to want it all ways.

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sat Jan 06, 2024 9:11 pm  

PopTart wrote:

I have to confess, I have history of working and earning money too.

So do I. Are you suggesting that playing RL is just done for the money. I’ve never believed that and never will, there are far easier ways to do it than getting physically assaulted once a week.

Be honest for once, you’d love to have been in Kershaws position when you were young, you make me laugh at times.

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sat Jan 06, 2024 9:33 pm  

vastman wrote:

So do I. Are you suggesting that playing RL is just done for the money. I’ve never believed that and never will, there are far easier ways to do it than getting physically assaulted once a week.

Be honest for once, you’d love to have been in Kershaws position when you were young, you make me laugh at times.

It’s a mix of money and enjoyment especially at the start of their pro careers.

Not every player is the same but just like any other job decisions have to be made along the way particularly when young men start to get families.

Generally these days the lads have back up plans and trades as they don’t make enough to set themselves up for life in most cases.

Interesting interview with Jamie Shaul a few weeks back who retired early and has gone back to being a bricky comparing the positives and camaraderie between his rugby life and new career.

Money now more than ever is an incentive. What rugby generally gives players is a living and a delay by 20 years to getting a day to day job if they are lucky.

The notion that pro sports men are not massively influenced by money is a misnomer.

You can’t feed your kids and pay your bills off fans praise and enjoyment.

Plenty of lads running round in championship who have been offered a crack at SL but turn it down because they earn more being part time and having a day job.

[PopTart]

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:29 pm  

vastman wrote:

So do I. Are you suggesting that playing RL is just done for the money. I’ve never believed that and never will, there are far easier ways to do it than getting physically assaulted once a week.

Be honest for once, you’d love to have been in Kershaws position when you were young, you make me laugh at times.

You really do baffle me with your dramatic posts.

I can assure you, every post I post is honest. And will stand by anything you care to point out.

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sat Jan 06, 2024 11:41 pm  

PopTart wrote:

I have to confess, I have history of working and earning money too.

Me too.....
....It's just the "working" bit I hate.....

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sun Jan 07, 2024 9:37 am  

Johns correct on this but to a degree so is Vastman
Young players are chasing the dream early in their careers, they’ll sacrifice just about anything, money, relationships, social life etc to give themselves a real chance of making it to the top. it’s easier to do it when young and you have few to no responsibilities and time seems everlasting.

However, that begins to change when they get to Academy age, their mates have jobs that pay 4 times what they get playing Rugby League, they watch their friends go away together on holidays they can’t afford and aren’t allowed to go on, they see lads their age putting deposits down on apartments or buying a decent car. In essence they see their peers laying the foundations for a life with most of the trimmings like a pension fund and a partner with whom they’re making big plans.

I know of multiple players with plenty of talent who have lived their life around Rugby League for years who have turned jobs down to chase the dream only to get overlooked and undervalued by a club that takes them for granted.

I won’t name names but I personally know one lad who was with a Superleague club, came through their Academy, played at Representative level as a half back who was offered £9k a year as an 18 year old. His choice was that or an apprenticeship as a roofer paying almost £30k a year with staged increases in salary every year till he was qualified guaranteeing him £40k+ a year when qualified. What choice did he really have?

Re: Kershaw to Salford : Sun Jan 07, 2024 10:18 am  

Its been about money since 1895!