The NRL player merry-go-round is in full swing, with Peta Hiku signing for the Panthers, Will Hopoate shifting to the Bulldogs and Tim Lafai signing on for the Dragons.
With Dylan Walker all but confirmed to be signing for the Sea Eagles, we are left with just one piece of the puzzle yet to find its place.
Dally M centre of the year James Roberts recently walked away from his contract with the Gold Coast Titans and looks as though he will sign with either the Broncos, Souths, Eels or Dragons.
Reports name a new favourite for his signature each day, but a move to the Broncos seems to make the most sense.
Wherever he ends up, he’s likely to sign a big deal, likely to surpass the $300,000 a year he reportedly signed earlier in the season at the Titans.
Roberts had a brilliant 2015 and is obviously in hot demand. If he were to shift to fullback, he could command half a million a season.
Even if he stays in the centres, he won’t be living in poverty based on his brilliant 2015.
However, Roberts has a past full of off-field troubles, and he has been released from both the Rabbits and Panthers in the past.
The Titans took a punt on the wayward yet talented centre, providing him with the environment he needed to realise said talent, while offering him a final chance as far as an NRL career goes.
Roberts looked like he would reward the Titans faith in him by signing a contract extension earlier in the season, but was quick to shun his side when farcical circumstances saw him become a free agent.
Given the horror season the Titans had on and off-field, coupled with the ridiculous circumstances that saw his signature forged on an official contract, it would be tough to lay blame on Roberts for jumping ship.
That being said, the Titans took a huge punt on a raw, young, troubled kid, and turned him into arguably the most dangerous attacking centre in the competition.
Roberts himself is taking a huge punt in moving from the club. If he does move to Sydney or Brisbane, he’ll be moving away from his family.
He’d also be moving from a relaxed town to one of the busiest cities in Australia. The media attention in either Sydney or Brisbane will far surpass that on the holiday coast.
The pressure would also be on, as whichever side he signs for would be expecting maximum output, and quickly, on their investment.
The Titans made a schoolboy error and allowed their main backline star to walk from the club, but the question has to be asked, should Roberts have stuck by them like they did him earlier?
I have no idea how anyone, in 2015, can think they can get away with forging a contract, especially seeing as Roberts had reportedly agreed to terms.
Something else must have happened behind the scenes for Roberts to walk from the side.
He was happy enough to talk to the club even after the bungle, but talks broke down, and quickly, and it looks like Roberts has made his mind up that he will sign elsewhere.
Does Roberts owe some loyalty to the Titans? After-all he would not be in a position to negotiate a huge contract if not for the Titans risking their reputation by signing him when no one else would.
Given the goings on in head office at the Titans, it looks as though the club betrayed the centre’s trust, doing away with any feelings of loyalty.
It’s a shame for the Titans, but Roberts looks to be in the money.
Sharks/Dragons to take a huge risk
The Sharks and the Dragons are locked in a two-way battle for the services of Dally M rookie of the year Jack Bird for 2017 and beyond.
The money being reported is insane considering he has one season under his belt, albeit is an absolute beauty.
The Sharks have been accused of letting young stars go in the past, and are desperate to hold onto one of the club’s two genuine young stars.
The Dragons, Bird’s junior club, are offering up big money and a spot at fullback to tempt the versatile youngster to cross the bridge.
Bird’s medical condition, and relative inexperience make his long-term signature a gamble, especially considering the money on offer.
We’ve seen plenty of rookie of the year winners fade away into fringe first grade obscurity, but Bird looks to be something special.
The Sharks are moving mountains to entice their star to stay, while the Dragons are throwing their weight around.
Given Bird’s obvious talents, this looks a gamble worth-while.
Moses in the money
Speaking of young players being offered big money contracts, Bulldogs halfback in waiting Moses Mbye looks set to sign a monster contract with the Bulldogs.
The blue and whites have invested huge in Mbye, having moved on current NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson to accommodate the young Queenslander.
He too had a brilliant 2015, but hasn’t got the runs on the board in terms of long-term consistency.
If Bird’s signature is a gamble, this is an even bigger one.
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