Is loyalty officially a thing of the past?

With news that St George Illawarra Dragons star Trent Merrin has turned down a $1.8 million deal over three years to test the open market, it has once again posed the question, is loyalty in rugby league officially a thing of the past?

I just want to preface this by saying I am all for players maximising their earning potential to provide the best possible lives for themselves and their families. I also realise that compared to other industries, rugby league careers are relatively short.

In saying that, for a player and manager to come out so publicly to denounce the offer made by the club Merrin has played for on over 100 occasions, as “not in the spirit of negotiations”, shows very little loyalty toward the club.

Of course we don’t know if the reported figures are correct, but it’s widely been accepted that it’s the biggest deal for a forward in the club’s history. That gesture alone indicates to me that the Dragons have every intention of tieing down their star forward long term.

Offhand I can only think of a few second rowers that I would be willing to offer over $600,000 a season. Sonny Bill Williams is the obvious name, while Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and possibly Nate Myles was also be worth that kind of money. Anthony Watmough will also be on that kind of money, or more, at the Parramatta Eels.

I’m sure there are others, but I’m also sure there aren’t a large list of names.

Is Merrin worth that kind of money?

I did a quick Twitter poll yesterday and most seemed to believe he was. At 25 years of age and with 10 Origin caps to his name, it’s fair to suggest he’d be able to command over $600,000 a season at a rival club.

That being said, I hardly believe the figure being thrown around is an insult to Merrin.

I know full well that Merrin’s agent Wayne Beavis is negotiating with help from the media. If I were paying Beavis to represent me, I’d expect the same tactics as he strives to achieve the best possible deal.

I am in no way having a go at Merrin here, however surely he should at least allow the Dragons to come back with an increased offer, given he made his debut for the club, and has become an Origin level player during his time there.

Is it just me or is loyalty in league a thing of the past?

In the past few years we’ve seen Glenn Stewart forced out of a club he believed he would represent for life. Josh Hoffman was told to look elsewhere despite being settled in at Brisbane. Although he ended up re-signing for Cronulla, Andrew Fifita publicly signed for the Dogs despite the Sharks turning him from a reserve grader into an Origin and test star.

Just to reiterate, I don’t blame players, or clubs, for the decisions. It’s a business. Both player and club need to make the best decisions for themselves.

It’s sad, but loyalty seems to be a thing of the past.

Agree? Disagree? Take the debate up with @suthodan on Twitter!