: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:50 pm  

mark_m wrote:

I don't think being a professional sportsman with the potential adulation of the paying public, the hero-worship of the local youngsters and the possibility of glory when winning trophies is the same as working on the till in Asda.

It's all relative though Mark. We can't expect players to play for their home town club for less money all the time. I mean who would want to play for us?

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:59 pm  

mark_m wrote:

I don't think being a professional sportsman with the potential adulation of the paying public, the hero-worship of the local youngsters and the possibility of glory when winning trophies is the same as working on the till in Asda.

And that's why they do it is it? If Aldi paid them more they'd go there.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:18 pm  

sally cinnamon wrote:

Depends on the players character rather than the duration of the contract. A good professional is going to be a good professional whether he's on a 1 year or 5 year deal.

That's true. Jamie Lyon signed for St Helens on a 2 year contract, knowing all the while that he had a confirmed offer from Manly waiting for him when his Paramatta contract expired and he was allowed back into the NRL. He could have come over and hidden like Monaghan or holidayed like King, but he was arguably the most enthusiastic and determined overseas player I've seen at Saints.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:30 pm  

behind the stick wrote:

So that just about takes into account the majoirty of the population, or should professional sportsmen only play for the teams they love and for the game, in the same way that we all go to work beacuase we love our companies and the business we are in?

That's true, but I think in most people's cases, if they performed as badly in their jobs as most of the Wire team presently are, they would probably be sacked by now for gross incompetence!!

Sports teams are a totally different kettle of fish, simply because they are getting the rare opportunity to do a job they actually love, and indeed a job that's rewards include the possible adulation of thousands....Comparing them with Joe Public doing something mundane like delivering the mail, or driving the bus is an insult to all supporters who pay their wages.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:34 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

That's true. Jamie Lyon signed for St Helens on a 2 year contract, knowing all the while that he had a confirmed offer from Manly waiting for him when his Paramatta contract expired and he was allowed back into the NRL. He could have come over and hidden like Monaghan or holidayed like King, but he was arguably the most enthusiastic and determined overseas player I've seen at Saints.

but is that because he knew he'd only be playing in the poop hole for 2 years whereas monas is here for 4. I also fail to see how anyone can call Warrington a holiday!!

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:35 pm  

behind the stick wrote:

And that's why they do it is it? If Aldi paid them more they'd go there.

I would sincerely hope not. Let me get this right; you are saying professional sportsmen do it purely for the money?

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:39 pm  

The Angry Pirate wrote:

I don't quite see what is mercenary about it??...

The way I see it, there are 2 possible scenarios...

1. For example, Matt King gets paid £100k a year guaranteed, whether the club finishes 1st, 7th or 14th.

Or,

2. Matt King gets £50k a year guaranteed, and a further £50k in bonuses depending on the team's performances on he pitch...(Make up your own qualifying scheme)

I think example 1 makes him a mercenary, you seem to think number 2 does??

That would only work if it was only him playing badly, it isnt!

Its the whole team!

Hes playing badly cous others are.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:40 pm  

Andy Wire wrote:

I also fail to see how anyone can call Warrington a holiday!!

...I've often thought this....Imagine the horror King must have felt when he first arrived in Warrington....'4 years in this dump!!'...

The problem is, in the most part, these guys sign the contracts without even visiting the places they are going to be moving to, and let's face it, the north of England, especially at this time of year, must be a massive culture shock to even the most hardened Aussie.

Without seeming to defend them, its easy to see why many Aussies get homesick....

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:54 pm  

A lot of this comes down to personal pride.

In all walks of life there are those with an immense amount of pride in what they do, and others who saunter along getting away with as much as they can.

I used to work with two drivers who would both leave the depot at 8am with 40-50 deliveries each. Neither round was more or less difficult than the other, yet every day driver A was back mid afternoon and helped out in the warehouse until hometime. Driver B would trundle in at hometime (give or take 5 minutes). Driver A's appearance and van were always immaculate inside and out, Driver B was constantly being reminded to wash his van and clear out all the old crisp packets and coke cans and he looked a mess.

No doubt RL players are no different. Some will put everything into every training session, every play of every match, regardless of who they are playing for or against. Others wont.

: Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:57 pm  

Thelonius wrote:

A lot of this comes down to personal pride.

In all walks of life there are those with an immense amount of pride in what they do, and others who saunter along getting away with as much as they can.

I used to work with two drivers who would both leave the depot at 8am with 40-50 deliveries each. Neither round was more or less difficult than the other, yet every day driver A was back mid afternoon and helped out in the warehouse until hometime. Driver B would trundle in at hometime (give or take 5 minutes). Driver A's appearance and van were always immaculate inside and out, Driver B was constantly being reminded to wash his van and clear out all the old crisp packets and coke cans and he looked a mess.

No doubt RL players are no different. Some will put everything into every training session, every play of every match, regardless of who they are playing for or against. Others wont.

Were Driver A & B on the same pay??....

Seriously, there could be some at Wire looking at others and thinking 'He's on twice what I'm on, and he's awful...why should I bother??'...