No Source (Opinion/Thoughts?) Widdop for 2021?

[Dogs79]

If Burton doesn’t come for 2021, would it be worth throwing a sneaky $400k at Widdop for 12mths?

Gareth Widdop NRL return: Former Dragons star’s $1.2m salary sacrifice

Gareth Widdop is resigned to becoming NRL’s bargain buy and one club is set to sign the star at an absolute steal. Here’s what he’s now worth.

Dean Ritchie

EXCLUSIVE

December 3, 2020 - 4:24PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom



Gareth Widdop left the Dragons at the end of 2019. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

This is the $1.2m sacrifice to be close to his children.

Former NRL star Gareth Widdop could be this year’s Christmas bargain after being forced to slash his asking price by a whopping two-thirds in the hope of securing an NRL club for next season.

The Daily Telegraph understands the former Melbourne and St George Illawarra champion is now on the open market for a ridiculously low $300,000 a season.

Widdop, 31, has two years remaining on a rich contract with English Super League club, Warrington, worth a cool $800,000 to $900,000 a season.

That is a $600,000 a season reduction for the next two seasons.

While aware he could not obtain such a lucrative deal in Australia, Widdop initially hoped to earn around $550,000 to $600,000 a season in the NRL but interest has been minimal due to each club enduring salary cap pressure at this time of the year.



Warrington is shopping Widdop to NRL clubs. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty

Widdop is now resigned to becoming rugby league’s cut price king. He will be the bargain buy of the year.

He has been gently offered to the Sharks, Cowboys, Dragons and Roosters but all have knocked him back due to cap constraints.

The Roosters rumour has been rife for weeks but the club is claiming it doesn’t have the necessary money for Widdop.



Gareth Widdop wants to return to Australia for family reasons. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

Widdop’s new reduced price tag may now prompt clubs to move around their cap and make a play for the 208-game Storm, Dragons and Wolves veteran.

One agent said: “No club has any money, that’s the problem. It’s not Gareth’s true value but Gareth would probably max-out at $300,000 now. His true value is around $600,000 to $700,000. It would be a miracle if any club had $500,000 to spare.”

The former England and Great Britain international has returned to Sydney and is currently in hotel quarantine.

Widdop’s wife, Carley, and his family, shifted back to Australia from England eight months ago and he now wants to return to be close to his three children.

He has been struggling living away from his children, only being able to see them through Skype.

Results

What is Gareth Widdop worth in 2021?

Those close to Widdop say the situation is impacting on his wellbeing. He is desperate to be near his kids.

Should Widdop be unable to find an Australian club, he may have to return to Warrington for 2021 and 2022.

“Gareth is trying to keep fit in quarantine. I have organised him an exercise bike and dumb bells.” said Widdop’s manager, Paul Sutton, from SFX.

Warrington owner Simon Moran has been made aware of Widdop’s personal desire to live back in Australia. As yet, Widdop hasn’t formally sought a release from Warrington.

Another issue impacting Widdop is the NRL’s failure to nail down their salary cap figure for next season.

More Coverage

English Cowboy: Shock frontrunner for Widdop return

The base salary cap for next season was set at $9.6 million but is certain to drop between five and 7.5 per cent due to COVID.

Former Bulldogs and Dragons centre Tim Lafai is also on the lookout for a new club.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

I like Widdop. But his shoulders are made of fanny flaps. To injury prone. Get Benji if we have to get a veteran half

 

[D.O.W.]

In short, No

 

[steeliz]

For 1 - 2 yrs

Definitely

 

[Raysie]

Would rather Benji.

 

[Noeasyday]

I think we need some experience in the spine so he'd be a good signing at 300k

 

[Dogs79]

I think we need some experience in the spine so he'd be a good signing at 300k

Agreed mate. It’s reported Benji wants $400-$450k, so to pick up Widdop at $300k would be a good deal. Concerns about his shoulders but at that price it worth some consideration as a back up plan.

 

[Dogs79]

Would rather Benji.

Benji is another who would offer valuable experience, according to reports it’ll cost an extra $100-$150k though. But some more experience around the halves wouldn’t hurt.

 

[Scoooby]

Would rather Benji.

Agree.!!

 

[KoolDavid]

No he is a sook and would ask for another release.

 

[Kempsey Dog]

Imo Knights are fucking stupid if they don't sign him...
1. Ponga
6. Widdop
7. Pearce
9. Brailey

 

[D0GMATIC]

If we could offload Lewis ,wakeham, Crichton or Jmk early In the process it would be awesome. A bit of experience and depth for the price wouldn’t be bad

 

[racin jason]

Not unless he plays for a happy meal and half a frozen coke.

 

[TOTTO]

I think I would go for McInnes now that his looking at how much he’s worth.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Star leaves family after NRL rejection

Gareth Widdop’s hopes of securing an NRL contract so he could remain in Australia with his wife and children appear shot.

www.news.com.au

Gareth Widdop leaves family in Australia after NRL rejection
Unwanted by the NRL, Gareth Widdop has been forced back to COVID-riddled England without his family to continue his career.
Jai Bednall

Gareth Widdop’s hopes of securing an NRL contract so he could remain in Australia with his wife and children appear shot.

Latest reports indicate the former Storm and Dragons half is back in the UK preparing to resume pre-season training with Greg Inglis at Warrington.

The 31-year-old, who spent a decade in the NRL before taking up a lucrative three-year contract in England last year, was hoping to return to Australia after his family decided it was where they wanted to live.

The Daily Telegraph reported Widdop slashed his asking price to $300,000 a season and drew interest from the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers but was unable to come to terms.

Widdop was also linked to the North Queensland Cowboys but last month that touted move was quickly shot down by coach Todd Payten.

“Jake and Gareth are managed by the same manager and once we were notified that Jake had signed with the Knights there was a throwaway line at the end of that conversation, around if Gareth wants to come home would you be interested?,” Payten told the Big Sports Breakfast at the time.

“That’s all it was, nothing more than that. Our answer was we’re happy with Jake for the next 12 months and hopefully we get him going. I was really dumbfounded how that made the press from that one sentence.”

Go Dogs

 

[kungfuman]

In a heartbeat but just for 1-2 yrs

 

[Moedogg]

8 years ago yes. He was average in his last year at the dragons.