I dont see how you think this. Penrith have all the aces. Penrith have IC signed for 2021-2024 on big money. We have him signed on a contract for 2019-20\. **Penrith are in a position to sit back and have Gould coach them through Ciraldo for as long as it takes.** On the other hand we would have a guy coaching us who doesnt want to be here, lost respect of the players, constantly dogged by media AND we would lose all possibility of signing Bennett.
I think the best we could hope for would be Cleary leaves with no payout. We are not in a strong position, through no fault of our own.
You could also say Penrith have a coach treading water knowing he's keeping a seat warm and ready to be flicked at a moments notice… That could be construed as holding a pair or 2's
I agree Ink.
Penrith are desperate to get Clearly next year. We need to know this and hold out until they ask for it.
While we are waiting we need to start planning for next year.
Gus wants us to pay for Clearly to leave. He is a bully trying to get his way.
I agree w Quintus and ink. Panthers have, reportedly, already played their hand.
They can't get IC without Tigers agreement. At worst, Tigers keep the coach they already had for ~2 years and planned to have for 2 more. Cleary was never signed by us for 2021, so the only diff is he may have signed w Penrith for 2021.
What's worse - having a proven FG coach who is eventually leaving, or an unproven novice who knows he's just keeping the seat warm? And Tigers won't have to worry about IC's contract if the performance is poor, whereas Penrith will have taken on a coach w a poor recent performance. And then if Ciraldo does a good job, how do you demote him?
Panthers have taken on most of the risk, therefore it stands to reason that they'll have to pay up to mitigate that risk, i.e. get Ivan now. I am confident Tigers have already put their terms to Penrith about taking on IC now, and it's being negotiated - that's the delay.
The clubs all know a deal can ultimately be done and Penrith know there are enough good coaches on the market for Tigers to find an acceptable replacment. That's why Panthers are confident they'll get IC for 2019, because they will sweeten the deal financially to ensure it happens and their risk is removed.