So it’s one story that Gus cannot control who knows what.
Doesn't need to control the "story", he controls the chequebook and the release forms.
What's in it for the Dogs?
* It's 2023 & Kyle ain't contracted beyond this season (this "problem" has a self-fulfilling conclusion included - we can sit on our hands, do nothing and it auto-resolves).
* We've already paid half this year's salary.
* We already have sufficient cap space available & his salary (the half that's left) isn't that valuable.
* We already have two Top 30 spots still available.
* We can already select players from outside the Top 30 from this point on.
This kind of deal was attractive last year, or maybe the very early part of this year. Now, we'll be wanting something in return and you can forget us picking up any kind of "freight" (which I reckon was the deal-breaker for Manly).
Daddy Senior is playing his cards from the last hand. Junior should have taken the Super League option last year.