Mullally : Tue May 01, 2012 1:27 pm  

http://www.widnesvikings.co.uk/article.php?id=8053 Mullally rejects contract offers at the Vikings The Vikings can today confirm that Anthony Mullally has rejected a number of improved and extended contract offers. Anthony's agent has also expressed his player's desire to go to the open market to test his value. The Widnes-born forward made his first team debut in 2009 in the 88-0 Challenge Cup-tie victory against Saddleworth Rangers, playing his part in the biggest victory recorded in the club's history. Although this was Anthony's only senior appearance for the Vikings at the time, he did gain further valuable first team exposure during a successful loan spell at Swinton in 2010 where he scored two tries in his six appearances. Mullally also benefitted from a ground-breaking venture by the Vikings when he spent 2011 with the Brisbane Broncos. Upon his return from overseas, the 20 year-old was rewarded with an upgraded one-year deal. Thus far in 2012, Mullally has made 8 substitute appearances for the Vikings. Vikings Director of Rugby Paul Cullen said; "We are satisfied that all efforts to create a clear pathway to Super League and to improve and extend Anthony's contract have been maximised. "However, we have to respect a player's wish to seek other offers." So even one of our bright prospects doesn't even want to play for us, where do we go now?

http://www.widnesvikings.co.uk/article.php?id=8053 Mullally rejects contract offers at the Vikings The Vikings can today confirm that Anthony Mullally has rejected a number of improved and extended contract offers. Anthony's agent has also expressed his player's desire to go to the open market to test his value. The Widnes-born forward made his first team debut in 2009 in the 88-0 Challenge Cup-tie victory against Saddleworth Rangers, playing his part in the biggest victory recorded in the club's history. Although this was Anthony's only senior appearance for the Vikings at the time, he did gain further valuable first team exposure during a successful loan spell at Swinton in 2010 where he scored two tries in his six appearances. Mullally also benefitted from a ground-breaking venture by the Vikings when he spent 2011 with the Brisbane Broncos. Upon his return from overseas, the 20 year-old was rewarded with an upgraded one-year deal. Thus far in 2012, Mullally has made 8 substitute appearances for the Vikings. Vikings Director of Rugby Paul Cullen said; "We are satisfied that all efforts to create a clear pathway to Super League and to improve and extend Anthony's contract have been maximised. "However, we have to respect a player's wish to seek other offers." So even one of our bright prospects doesn't even want to play for us, where do we go now?

Re: Mullally : Tue May 01, 2012 3:52 pm  

Is he any good? Given how poor your team is, if he was actually a decent prospect, would he not have made more than 8 substitute appearances this season?

Re: Mullally : Tue May 01, 2012 6:51 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Is he any good? Given how poor your team is, if he was actually a decent prospect, would he not have made more than 8 substitute appearances this season?

Difficult to say.I don't think he will be another Adrian Morley or Sam Burgess but he certainly has potential and the physique.I would put him on a par with Chris Hill at Warrington.The reason he has started as sub I think is because the club wanted to ease him in gently given his inexperience though he did play at Broncos down under last year in their junior set up.The disappointment at losing him though is because of his potential,not because how he has played so far this year,admittedly in a very poor side.

Re: Mullally : Tue May 01, 2012 7:09 pm  

GSF wrote:

Difficult to say.I don't think he will be another Adrian Morley or Sam Burgess but he certainly has potential and the physique.I would put him on a par with Chris Hill at Warrington.The reason he has started as sub I think is because the club wanted to ease him in gently given his inexperience though he did play at Broncos down under last year in their junior set up.The disappointment at losing him though is because of his potential,not because how he has played so far this year,admittedly in a very poor side.

chris hill has been immense this year. I do think its a bit petulent of mullally to just want to leave the club that has looked after him and given him the opportunity to play in the aussie junior leagues and get the training over there, just for him to say i want to see how much im worth! what message does that send out to potential new clubs ill go to you till something better comes along??? he does have the potential but just because of that hope he doesnt come warrington way.

Re: Mullally : Tue May 01, 2012 8:25 pm  

wolfinwidnes wrote:

chris hill has been immense this year. I do think its a bit petulent of mullally to just want to leave the club that has looked after him and given him the opportunity to play in the aussie junior leagues and get the training over there, just for him to say i want to see how much im worth! what message does that send out to potential new clubs ill go to you till something better comes along??? he does have the potential but just because of that hope he doesnt come warrington way.

The lad can do what he wants I suppose,but Its a hell of a way to pay Widnes back after the way theyve helped his development.

Re: Mullally : Wed May 02, 2012 7:02 am  

GSF wrote:

Difficult to say.I don't think he will be another Adrian Morley or Sam Burgess but he certainly has potential and the physique.I would put him on a par with Chris Hill at Warrington.The reason he has started as sub I think is because the club wanted to ease him in gently given his inexperience though he did play at Broncos down under last year in their junior set up.The disappointment at losing him though is because of his potential,not because how he has played so far this year,admittedly in a very poor side.

On a par with Chris Hill.

He is nowehere near that level of development yet.

An odd situation really but sadly we seem to lurch from one problem to the next this year.

Is it all about money or is it about going somewhere else where he feels he can be developed further in a better environment.

It is certainly a shock that a Widnes born, Widnes mad young guy who has been at every level of the academy system see's his future elsewhere. If that isnt a slight on the current setup then I dont know what is.

Time will tell if it is the right decision but SOC continual backing of those in the coaching positions suggests he will at least give himself as good a chance as possible of developing into a SL regular elsewhere.

Re: Mullally : Wed May 02, 2012 9:12 am  

widneslardboy wrote:

On a par with Chris Hill.

.

Oh dear,it appears I never made my point clear enough for the hard of thinking.I should have posted,on a par with Hill at the same age or developing into a player on a par with Chris Hill.

Re: Mullally : Wed May 02, 2012 9:37 am  

If he ends up back in Oz you can hardly blame him, to be honest. If he goes to another SL club, then its a huge slap in the face for Widnes. It's a shame for us as he could become a good player, but I won't lose any sleep over it.

Re: Mullally : Wed May 02, 2012 6:40 pm  

wolfinwidnes wrote:

chris hill has been immense this year. I do think its a bit petulent of mullally to just want to leave the club that has looked after him and given him the opportunity to play in the aussie junior leagues and get the training over there, just for him to say i want to see how much im worth! what message does that send out to potential new clubs ill go to you till something better comes along??? he does have the potential but just because of that hope he doesnt come warrington way.

I think it sends out the message that another club has probably illegally tapped him up. We'll see.

Re: Mullally : Sat May 05, 2012 2:26 pm  

Just as i predicted. The Widnes "Yoof" start to desert the ship.

All that effort whilst in The Championship an 'all.

Sheeeeesh