Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 3:31 pm  

Trebor1 wrote:

Had we not got Blease on board we could have let him go without a wimper but i really don't think that will happen. Blease is very astute, it'll be on his terms.

Some people really do talk rubbish. Whatever you think of him, one of Hetherington's most well-known characteristics is driving a hard bargain, it's saved and generated hundreds of thousands for Leeds over the years.

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 4:16 pm  

I think the fact that Blease commented on the story so quickly shows there is something in it. Whether that means Croft will go or not, I have no idea. He's not really the same type of player as Ben Hunt, so the link does surprise me a bit. I'm also surprised Jackson Hastings isn't on St G's list given he's out of favour at Newcastle.

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 4:49 pm  

There's no way an NRL club will pay £150-200k for Croft. Leeds can play hardball all they want, but it will just delay recruiting a replacement.

How much did we get for Segeyaro, Nene, Eastwood? A new partnership with an NRL club.

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 4:57 pm  

Blease is big mates with Hastings , so I guess if Croft goes it could well be Jacko in, I hope Croft stays

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 5:45 pm  

Trebor1 wrote:

Had we not got Blease on board we could have let him go without a wimper but i really don't think that will happen. Blease is very astute, it'll be on his terms.

More like making the best of a bad job, I suspect.

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 6:12 pm  

Sir Gregory ParsloeP wrote:

Blease is big mates with Hastings , so I guess if Croft goes it could well be Jacko in, I hope Croft stays

I would not be surprised if Croft stays for 25 with Hastings replacing him in 26. I also think Blease might have one eye on the fortunes of Will Pryce.

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 6:13 pm  

rugbyleague88 wrote:

There's no way an NRL club will pay £150-200k for Croft. Leeds can play hardball all they want, but it will just delay recruiting a replacement.

How much did we get for Segeyaro, Nene, Eastwood? A new partnership with an NRL club.

And how much had we just paid in transfer fees for those?

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 6:17 pm  

Irrelevant.

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 11:21 pm  

Some people really don't know how Rugby League economics work. St George are desperate, they will pay if they want Croft.

Re: Transfer Talk V5 : Wed Nov 06, 2024 11:58 pm  

If Croft wants to leave we'll eventually have to just suck it up, but as a business it would be insane to not force as much compensation as possible.

The argument that we should let a player go because he won't want to play for us again is valid, but so is acting in the best interests of the club financially. I'd also argue the Arthur factor would outweigh any negativity associated with Leeds simply enforcing their rights to not deregister a player just because it suits them.

By the way, I'm not sure Croft would necessarily want to join the Dragons. St George need a replacement for Hunt. Croft is not the lead playmaker they need - someone like Hastings would make more sense. The whole reason Croft left the NRL is because the last time an NRL team tried to make him the centre of the team he collapsed under the pressure. Even at Leeds we've seen that he isn't comfortable as the main organiser.