Also factor in the cost of paying out the former coach and paying Ciraldo. I have read an article where Cleary's management company denies he wants out (early). No doubt a lot of positioning underway to maximise/minimise payouts.
You are right P&C
Of course Cleary & Penrith are going to say they are happy to wait until 2021\. That way Tigers are painted into a corner, there willbe ZERO compensation from Penrith and in fact I could see a case where Tigers would have to pay Cleary out to have him go. Tigers will get nothing out of Penrith, IMO it will be offered that he will leave for "free". I wouldnt mind betting that this is where the rumours of Penrith "paying out" Clearys contract come from. They are not going to pay Tigers anything, they will just pay Cleary what he was going to get anyway.
In that case it's shaping up to be a game of chicken. How long can we make Penrith wait? No way they are wanting to start the season with Ciraldo. That's a Gus bluff.
Very high takes game of chicken, that the Tigers will probably lose. How long can we make Penrith wait? How long could we make Bennett/Brisbane wait? Remember Cleary & Bennett share the same management. I cant see the Tigers winning this one. Might be best to cut losses and just make it happen.