Exact same trend as 'several' prior big names.
1. Manager sees if we are interested.
2. We jump at the chance / we have cap room etc...
3. Manager puts it out there he may join the Tigers...i.e. any other clubs want to come in right now / would prefer to go anywhere but Tigers.
4. Player goes cold on the idea / every man and his dog says 'go anywhere but there mate'.
5. Player ends up at another club. TPJ was with Sonny Bill at the boxing sat night. We all know where he will end up...
It is fairly clear we are merely a pawn in play...used to drum up interest.
Lodge was also meant to be on his way to Newcastle - it's not just us. This is more like the decision about who goes and stays being taken out of the hands of Kevin Walters before the mid year cut off date. The issue in this case us the Broncos in damage control.
It is not just us, yes. But we really need a 'win'.
Knights past few years have landed Klemmer, Ponga, Pearce etc. They don't need to show they can do it.
We had a clearly open window re TPJ...even Chairman Lee got up on his soap box again and uttered his name...these things 'happen' when you have the right people closing deals.
Fairly or unfairly, we have a long, long history now of not being able to get big names across the line.
Not much we can or any club can do when the club the two players are contracted to no longer will release them.
Actually, there would have been multiple deals put on the table. Obviously, ideally we would have liked TPJ subsidized, but if you hear the deal may be off...is it worth saying "we will take on all his salary" and getting it across the line? We seem to have delayed as we are hoping to convince Finucane. I'd almost say that deal is no chance, but I hope I am wrong and we do land him. We desperately need a win and there is not a lot left for 2022.
I don't think it has anything to do with what we did or didn't offer I think it's more that Ikin sees those two players as more value to the Bronco's going forward than letting them go - and considering the lack of quality players available and their current position you can understand why.