From my understanding when they done an interview with his mum & dad I think it was, that brisbane overlooked him for being to small (funny from a club that had alfie) so for me its quite annoying that we give him a go only to be grabbed after all the work and effort is done... by the club not prepared to give him a run in the first place....does he hold no pride, that's footy these days though.
The other thing is that in 2011 it has to be said that he was borderline crap, I knew he was good just like when I saw Lockys first game (you can just tell with the good ones) but his game was worked on to be who he is now. Remember he couldn't catch or tackle and we fixed that for him making him the more complete package he is today (well 2012).
I am so troubled by this issue, firstly I never want a player around the club that doesn't want to be there but this point of view stems back when loyalty was still number one in the game and most players could never see themselves playing for another club. Now players are just whores! Secondly I want him gone because I am sooo sick of the rumours, but once again why should any other club win from this. Thirdly as mentioned by most on here, he has a contract for two more years so, "is it up to him OR US if he leaves? Sure if we make him stay he will go in two years but I still think a contract is a contract and it should be honoured! And this should be enforced in the NRL and I am sick of this basic life lesson being watered down by these people.
I don't know what sort of cash he is on and for once I would like to know so I can form an opinion as to whether or not he should have a contract upgrade or this whole thing is a manager being a greedy dick issue, I mean if we are paying him say 300k or less than yeah ok give him another 100k if that satisfies him and keeps him at the club. Then offer him more money when the current contract he has already agreed and signed too is up for the next one.
My train of thought regarding the qld teams. Gold coast have said not interested (once again goodluck believing any nrl club), Brisbane apparently are chasing Cam Smith and the figure being floated around is 1.5mil per year (wow) so how could they afford Barba who would be around the 500k atleast mark??? And for Nth qld, well they are just as far away as sydney so if his missus is moving to bris-vegas than what is he achieving other than a money increase and proving it has nothing to do with his family???
So much to say, IMO we can't just let him because all we are doing is leaving ourselves short in the player department and he is too good to let go. UNLESS we sign Folau that is or someone of the same calibre, so we need to cover our bases first before letting him go and whoever gets him should pay through the arse for him even if its just satisfaction for me. Tough stance as I also know what it is like to live away from your kids and the lows involved with this but unless my assumptions are incorrect his family breakdown was massively helped due to his party life style and most likely cheating on his missus, so who would stay and this situation is SELF inflicted.... I have very little pity for this scenario and people who bring it on themselves (it happened to me).
I just wish this issue was taken care of and perhaps its time for all the card to be placed on the table. The Bulldogs should come out officially and say "Sorry, unless we can replace him he WILL be with us for the next two years as per his contract so all clubs go fuk off and don't bother". Rumours ended......................
