@ElleryHanley said in [A crucial period for Madge\.\.\.](/post/1220449) said:
Nofa has confirmed it is all true. Players worried for their jobs.
I’m not surprised the players are worried about their jobs.
We have a poor roster that has not performed well and it is common knowledge that Madge has embarked on a clean out.
We currently have 35 players on contract – excluding Harry Grant and including Stefano and 5 development players.
Of the 35 contracted players, 10 players’ contracts expire this year, and 14 contracts expire next year.
Of that 10 that expire this year, McIntyre is the only one who looks like being extended. Eisenhuth is a possibility, but has been told to look after himself because we may not be able to offer him a deal.
Of the 14 players whose contracts expire next year, only a few of those would be confident of being retained – Aloiai and Nofo are the only certainties for me. I would think Mikaele and Liddle are likely, while if Blore and Madden show promise then I would expect them to be extended also.
In summary, of the current 35 contracted players, only 11 have contracts beyond next year. Of the other 24 that are either off contract this year or next year, there would only be around 7 players who would be confident of being here beyond next year. This means that around 50% of the current squad must see the writing on the wall.
They have every right to be worried about their jobs.
I am sure that this does not contribute to team harmony.
It is professional sport though mate...you either win, or get replaced. Many of our blokes have made millions, not won for a decade and never been replaced. It is not like a teacher or nurse battling to pay a mortgage.
Our club has almost been run like a social club..."hey, don't worry if you got hammered 44-4 mate, you'll be there next week!".
Benji had THE worst defensive stats in the NRL leading to tries when he was dropped earlier...rather than fix that, we just got the sook stories and back he came again. The team 'leaders' have been big sooks for a long while now in Tigertown if we are being realistic.
No one ever screams out behind the posts "we NEED a win...LIFT and FOLLOW ME!"...they just stand there staring into space.
But they all seem to like to have a sulk to the media when dropped or asked to leave.
To be honest...it is embarrassing as a lifelong fan.