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Craig HillNRL Poll - Sonny Bill or 'Shrek'?
May 3rd 2007 01:21
"The Sydney Roosters have today signed Australian and NSW prop Mark O'Meley to a 4 year deal from 2008. O'Meley, 25, provides the Roosters with a tough and proven
representative competitor until 2011."
*quote - Sydney Roosters Media Release
Courtesy of this simple media release from the Sydney Roosters club yesterday afternoon, the league world had confirmation of one of the worst kept secrets in town - 'Shrek' was off to the Roosters!
Congratulations to both Mark O'Meley and the Sydney Roosters for securing their playing roster and future, but the length of O'Meley's contract is where I think Canterbury have made a big error in judgement.
On the 9th of March this year, the Bulldogs re-signed superstar backrower Sonny Bill Williams to a five year contract, which in effect sealed the fate of O'Meley in the blue and white jersey. Williams new contract, rumoured to have been in the millions of dollars, meant that the Belmore based club would be forced to lose either O'Meley, Hazem El Masri, Matt Utai, Ben Roberts or Corey Hughes due to salary cap restraints.
O'Meley was obviously going to be the main casualty out of the Williams re-signing, with the Test front rower preferring to test his value on the open market before informing Canterbury of his final decision.
Now I am not begrudging Sonny Bill for ultimately pushing O'Meley out of the club - it is quite obvious the game of rugby league has turned into a big business, and that contractual decisions should not be made on emotion alone.
What I am suggesting is the idea that would Canterbury have been better served in re-signing O'Meley for the same four-five year deal, and thus reluctantly letting the injury prone Williams set free?
I am not privvy to the exact monetary value between O'Meley's and Williams contracts, but I am sure that there would be a differing monetary value of between $100-$150k a season between the two. That monetary difference would mean the re-signing and contract upgrades of probably three of the above four players mentioned.
Canterbury Bulldogs CEO Malcolm Noad released an official statement yesterday afternoon, in regards to the Roosters signing of O'Meley, with his comments having subtle undertones as to current salary cap constraints.
Noad's official comments read:
"Mark has been a great servant to the Bulldogs Club for over five
seasons. He has always given his all when wearing the blue-and-white jersey and I have no doubt that will continue for the rest of 2007.
"We were always hopeful of re-signing Mark, but in the end we were not able to put forward a competitive offer with the Roosters.
"The reality with the salary cap is you have to balance keeping as many high profile players as you can whilst introducing new blood into the club. In this day and age you simply cannot keep all your high profile players.
"The whole issue of players signing with other clubs during the season can be an uncomfortable one. I commend Mark on the professionalism he has shown over the past few months while negotiations have been going on.
"I know that Mark's goal for 2007 still remains an NRL Premiership with the Bulldogs."
*quote - Canterbury Bulldogs media release
Whether or not Noad was taking a vague potshot at the NRL or the Roosters remains uncertain, but you can rest assured that the Bulldogs let the man known as 'Shrek' go reluctantly.
So who do you think Canterbury should have kept - the brilliant but injury prone Sonny Bill Williams, or the workaholic but older Mark O'Meley? And before making your comments, please take a look at the foolowing comparative stats :
2004
Sonny Bill Williams (debut season) - 15 games (13 off bench)
Mark O'Meley - 23 games (0 off bench)
2005
Sonny Bill Williams - 5 games (2 off bench)
Mark O'Meley - 14 games (0 off bench)
2006
Sonny Bill Williams - 21 games (6 off bench)
Mark O'Meley - 18 games (0 off bench)
We wouldlove to read your comments below!
Cheers,
StephenP.
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Comment by Anonymous
i personally feel that mark o'meley has back stabbed the bulldogs by leaving them and going to the roosters because my opinion is that your ment to stick by your team not change if you get sick of them
I LOVE SONNY BILL WILLIAMS
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by pepperhead
Comment by nrl 4 life
Comment by gee
Comment by central coast storm
Comment by IrishBoy
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
I would take Frank Pritchard over Sonny any day! As for Mark O'meley, his toughish, thats it!
Then dont get me started on Sam Thaiday! For the size of the guy I cant see why he would run across-field to get away from 3 forwards so he can run at a half-back or hooker! Grow some balls big man! And Isaac Luke got u everytime u singled him out and ran at him 2nite!!
I sort of agree with centralcoaststorm also, Sonny is a dick, I know personally!
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
go dogz masons a hypocrit