Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:25 am  

I think it’s the correct move for both parties.

One thing is for sure if anyone doubted the clubs ability to make the tough calls this should put paid to that.

Getting rid of your club captain and one if the best homegrown players is a ballsy move!

Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:30 am  

Don't think there is any need to take the captaincy off him if I am honest. They've reached what sounds like an amicable decision.

Hopefully Kallum can get a nice pay day somewhere. Interesting comments from SMTMUK the other day about Watkins' potential earnings a few years ago and how he turned down a fortune to stay at Leeds. You don't mind taking a smaller pay packet when things are going swimmingly and you're getting a load of a credit but the situation he is in now, I don't blame Kallum for chasing the £.

Absolutely torn on this but I think it might end up being the right outcome for everyone.

One thing is for absolute certain, Sinfield needs to get the next 2 or 3 recruitment calls spot on- both on and off the field. Certainly not taking the easy way out.

Re: OUT - Watkins : Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:31 am  

tomrhodes28 wrote:

No wonder why rumours are we're after Hastings spares a bit of salary cap.

It would be rather ironic if we finally signed a quality half back using Watkins cap money, given he's had a decade of sub-standard service.

Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:32 am  

Well it's sure a surprise, but when you think about it logically, he's one of the highest paid players (presumably) and he's not been able to perform this year coming back from injury. The club will probably have a reasonable long term prognosis on his future capability and may well have decided he's not going to get back to a level his salary would command. It's a big call from Kevin, but shows he's not frightened of making them.

My guess is we will see quite a few more before the end of this season.

On Kallum, thanks for some sparkling entertainment over the years, and good luck for the future.

Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 11:13 am  

I hope he does well wherever he goes. I hope he gets fit and tries the NRL as I think he could do very well.

Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 11:15 am  

The last couple of years have shown that there are some serious long-term contract management and salary cap management problems at the club, and you don't fix that problem by adding even more bad value to the cap. Watkins, as he is today, isn't worth marquee money.

I'm annoyed to see him go, there are plenty of players I'd rather see let go and it shouldn't have ended like this, but solving those issues relies on players being as willing to negotiate out of their contract as Kal has been.

Players like Kallum are far from the biggest problem in this regard, but people like Tui Lolohea, Nat Peteru and Tom Briscoe know that they aren't going to gain anything by negotiating their respective deals away - they're on too much of a good thing.

Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 11:19 am  

Agree. Even more so older players in their last gig.

Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 11:20 am  

why should they? my boss offers me silly money I wont say no

Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 11:22 am  

Salary cap implications on getting out of longer term contracts are really hurting us, otherwise you would probably have seen more movement by now.

I was just taking a look on Frosties sticky on the first team, and the number of players we need rid of is easily into double digits. Some of them have contracts for a few years yet so it's very hard to move them on if they are not willing.

Re: OUT 2020 | Kallum Watkins - Released : Mon Jun 03, 2019 11:23 am  

batleyrhino wrote:

Well it's sure a surprise, but when you think about it logically, he's one of the highest paid players (presumably) and he's not been able to perform this year coming back from injury. The club will probably have a reasonable long term prognosis on his future capability and may well have decided he's not going to get back to a level his salary would command. It's a big call from Kevin, but shows he's not frightened of making them.

My guess is we will see quite a few more before the end of this season.

On Kallum, thanks for some sparkling entertainment over the years, and good luck for the future.

strong rumour Ferres not getting a new contract, good riddance aswell.