Time to make a tough call on mid-contract breaks

Reports that Bulldogs enforcer David Klemmer has requested an immediate release from the Bulldogs have the entire NRL community talking.

Earlier this week, one of the game's premier props reportedly submitted an official request to the Bulldogs board to release him from the remaining two-years of his contract, sighting personal reasons.

The reports state that Klemmer is looking to escape the scrutiny of Sydney, meaning he will most likely link up with the Knights if a release were granted.

Klemmer is far from the first, nor will he be the last, player to make such a request on personal grounds, but the size of his profile and importance to the Dogs has social media buzzing.

In a rugby league world where contracts continue to mean less and less, now is the time to have a very genuine discussion about what can be done in such circumstances.

No one has any reason to believe that Klemmer is not being 100% genuine in his request. There is no doubt that his celebrity in Sydney is much greater than it would be in the Hunter. It's the nature of the Sydney beast.

Media scrutiny is constant, as shown by the fact that one publication went to ridiculous photos to photograph team mates of Klemmer's during the Bulldogs' Mad Monday celebrations.

Few could deny the fact that Klemmer would be much more relaxed and able to move on from whatever problems he may be struggling with, without that constant Sydney spot light.

What has me scratching my head though is a report that indicates Newcastle are willing to offer Klemmer a MASSIVE deal to sign with the club.

That is no shock, this is a starting rep prop and pretty much the exact mould of player Nathan Brown needs to complete his recruitment drive of the past two seasons, but the numbers are staggering.

The skeptic in me can't help but notice the numbers are also much, MUCH bigger than that of Klemmer's current contract.

There's no doubt that Klemmer should be able to fully explore his earning potentials but if the reason for the request is purely for personal reasons, surely Klemmer would be willing to sign an a contract out of Sydney to the same value of his current deal.

The Dogs, again, look to be big losers in this situation, no matter how they rule.

If they deny Klemmer this request the tensions will boil. I guarantee you Klemmer's manager will be in everybody's ear re negativity at the Dogs. It will become an issue. Whether Dean Pay and co can convince him to stay is a big question.

If they do the 'right' thing and release Klemmer, they'll be passing on a second rep prop in less than twelve months, and will infuriate fans.

The club has seen both Aaron Woods and Moses Mbye walked from the club due to salary cap restraints, while both Morris twins were allowed to leave for similar reasons.

A big chunk of the cap for 2019 and beyond will have been dedicated to Klemmer.

Should Klemmer be allowed to walk, the cap space freed up will have been enough to cover either Mbye or Woods, you'd imagine.

So the Dogs would be left with a HUGE go fill in a time where the large majority of NRL talent has already been secured.

If I were the Dogs I would deny Klemmer's request pending a player swap to cover his position. I'd be putting my hand out to the Knights, Raiders and other non-Sydney teams demanding a replacement.

They would be well within their rights to do so, after all Klemmer is a contracted player ... whatever that counts for these days.

In no way am I targeting Klemmer, or suggesting that his reasons for moving are motivated by anything other than escaping the Sydney fish-bowl, but these are tough discussions we have to be having.

What's stopping player x from club y waiting until the end of the season, seeing which club has a mountain of cap space and then sighting personal reasons as a way to cash in?

You can't tell me this hasn't been done in the past!?

I'm all for player welfare and if it helps Klemmer and his family, then the Dogs really need to take a long look at this tough call. That said, why should they suffer to such a great degree?

Is it worth implementing that any releases for personal reasons be met with the same contract, on same terms, at a different club?

Or are the Knights, and Klemmer, within their rights to take advantage of a situation?

These are all tough, and sometimes inappropriate questions that we need to be asking.

Also, as an aside, where are these reports re contract numbers from the Knights coming from? They should have had no communication as such with Klemmer without the Dog's written permission. Pure speculation?