If Tolman or any other Bulldogs player wants to sign for any other club i will help them pack their bags. Loyalty exists only when a player puts their signature on the contract. This days rugby league has becme a merry go round. One day they love the club and the next they are gone. Thats way breeding is so important. Sign them young to long contracts so we get to see them playing for us. Tolman came yesterday and is gone tomorrow. Also $650,000 is a lot of money not just for Tolman but for anyone. And im in favour as it happens in other codes that if a player signs elsewhere for the following year he should be dropped to NSW cup.
The coach needs to prepare the team for the next season and if a player is not there he should be on the stands. Players come and go but we the supporters must remain.
Forget about the next season, it is the usual deal to sign a deal for the next year this early in the season. You're not going to drop one of your best players simply because he is looking out for his future. As long as he keeps putting in I have no issue with him.
Loyalty is very rare. Players have 5-7 years at their peak if they're lucky. They have to earn what they can in that time. If Tolman (or anyone else) can earn double what they are currently getting, good luck to them. I am sure if you were offered double by your employer's competitor, you would take it in a heart beat. Why should NRL players not do the same thing? because of us fans? They will disappoint their current club's fans, but will have a new clubs fans welcoming them with open arms.
As for loyalty, as soon as the player starts to struggle a little or is heading towards 30, the loyalty from the club goes out the window. All of a sudden they are unwanted or offered a shitty deal earning less coin ala David Stagg. I don't blame anyone, it's just what footy has become. Winning is everything, so loyalty from either club or player is rare.
