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Brisbane Broncos say their doomed bid to re-sign Karmichael Hunt cost the club the signatures of one or two other star players.
Broncos coach Ivan Henjak admits Hunt's imminent move overseas, unforeseen last year, has tangled his club's forward planning for 2010 and beyond.
Another knot in Brisbane's recruitment and retention policy has been drawn-out dealings with captain Darren Lockyer.
Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen on Wednesday labelled the continuing negotiations to extend Lockyer's dazzling career at the club "frustrating" for all parties.
However, first-year coach Henjak has defended the club's direction amid double-barrelled criticism it has both released the wrong players and failed to attract essential personnel.
Brisbane's decision to release the likes of Bulldogs stars Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis and David Stagg - all in red-hot form - has raised eyebrows.
"I would have liked to kept a few of those blokes but we had to re-sign Karmichael this year and we thought that was going to happen," Henjak said.
"When you make those decisions, you don't know what's going to happen six-seven months down the track.
"We put some money aside and that cost us one or two of those players as well. "Karmichael hasn't worked out. Some of those other decisions were out of our hands too."
Another point of discord has been the club's failure to poach a top-line frontrower to replace Hannant or 2007 Penrith departee Petero Civoniceva - with David Taylor's deal with South Sydney seen as salt to the wounds.
"It's a bit difficult for next year because everyone's gone, we can't do much about getting who we'd like," Henjak said. "Our hands are tied a little bit.
"We'll have to look a few years ahead."
Earlier this year the Broncos flirted with NSW Origin prop Justin Poore but he didn't bite and have since shown little interest in off-contract North Queensland Cowboys and Origin prop Matt Scott.
Henjak is willing to invest in the future, a trait he has shown this season, believing under-20s props David Hala and Dunamis Lui to be future NRL players.
"They're going to be young I know but we're looking a bit to the future," Henjak said.
"Justin Poore - maybe he'd be a good buy for us now - but once again, at the time the decisions were made, we're still negotiating with Locky. The salary cap's not an easy thing, having to make decisions long-term."
Henjak is content to pilot his young squad next year but the club is believed to be still on the lookout for a forward should a suitable candidate arise.
"We're comfortable, we think we can get through with who we've got and then we'll look to 2011-2012," he said.
It is believed Hunt has committed to a two-year deal overseas, believed to be worth close to $800,000 a year, with an official announcement expected next week.
Foxsports.com
Wow. Simply wow. No wonder it's on their sleeves and the front of their jersey.
Broncos coach Ivan Henjak admits Hunt's imminent move overseas, unforeseen last year, has tangled his club's forward planning for 2010 and beyond.
Another knot in Brisbane's recruitment and retention policy has been drawn-out dealings with captain Darren Lockyer.
Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen on Wednesday labelled the continuing negotiations to extend Lockyer's dazzling career at the club "frustrating" for all parties.
However, first-year coach Henjak has defended the club's direction amid double-barrelled criticism it has both released the wrong players and failed to attract essential personnel.
Brisbane's decision to release the likes of Bulldogs stars Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis and David Stagg - all in red-hot form - has raised eyebrows.
"I would have liked to kept a few of those blokes but we had to re-sign Karmichael this year and we thought that was going to happen," Henjak said.
"When you make those decisions, you don't know what's going to happen six-seven months down the track.
"We put some money aside and that cost us one or two of those players as well. "Karmichael hasn't worked out. Some of those other decisions were out of our hands too."
Another point of discord has been the club's failure to poach a top-line frontrower to replace Hannant or 2007 Penrith departee Petero Civoniceva - with David Taylor's deal with South Sydney seen as salt to the wounds.
"It's a bit difficult for next year because everyone's gone, we can't do much about getting who we'd like," Henjak said. "Our hands are tied a little bit.
"We'll have to look a few years ahead."
Earlier this year the Broncos flirted with NSW Origin prop Justin Poore but he didn't bite and have since shown little interest in off-contract North Queensland Cowboys and Origin prop Matt Scott.
Henjak is willing to invest in the future, a trait he has shown this season, believing under-20s props David Hala and Dunamis Lui to be future NRL players.
"They're going to be young I know but we're looking a bit to the future," Henjak said.
"Justin Poore - maybe he'd be a good buy for us now - but once again, at the time the decisions were made, we're still negotiating with Locky. The salary cap's not an easy thing, having to make decisions long-term."
Henjak is content to pilot his young squad next year but the club is believed to be still on the lookout for a forward should a suitable candidate arise.
"We're comfortable, we think we can get through with who we've got and then we'll look to 2011-2012," he said.
It is believed Hunt has committed to a two-year deal overseas, believed to be worth close to $800,000 a year, with an official announcement expected next week.
Foxsports.com
Wow. Simply wow. No wonder it's on their sleeves and the front of their jersey.
