Watene-Zelezniak set to split with Panthers

[happy_tiger]

As I said in the other thread he had that new regenerational treatment on his knee

My understanding is when you get that surgery you are basically on you final solution ...Remember Bryce Gibbs had the same possibly even Todd Patten

Do we really want to sign someone else's injury concern

 

[Newtown]

Penrith legend Ryan Girdler takes aim at players as Panthers hit new low
By Ben Glover
43 minutes ago

Panthers legend Ryan Girdler has slammed players of the struggling club for putting themselves first after Test star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was given permission to find a new home.

The Panthers on Wednesday afternoon released a statement confirming the star utility was headed for the door with Girdler putting the situation down to unhappiness that stemmed from Watene-Zelezniak's inability to lock down a start at fullback.

"Rumour has it that he wanted to play fullback and he came into the side and he's played a lot of wing in the past," Girdler told Triple M Sydney's Moonman in the Morning.

“He’s unhappy out there. They gave him an opportunity to play a little bit of centre and a little bit of fullback so far this year but his mind seems to have been on something else, he hasn’t payed well and basically wants out of the joint and it just goes to show where they are at the moment, the Panthers.”

Girdler said the Watene-Zelezniak request to leave was symptomatic of a selfish attitude from the players, who are "more worried about themselves than the club and the place is just a mess..."

However, reports suggesting that Penrith are facing massive salary cap problems if they can't shift a number of contracted players puts that issue squarely in the hands of club management.

According to a News Corp report Watene-Zelezniak could be the first player to leave the club in a fire sale to compensate for a mix of whopping salaries and long-term deals for 12 players who are thought to be soaking up at least $5 million of the club's $9 million salary cap.

 

[hobbo1]

No to signing sooks !

 

[happy_tiger]

No to signing sooks !

If that is a KPI you'd probably need a few of Iv's old buses at Concord pronto

 

[Spud_Murphy]

I’d love it if we got him but he will most likely end up at Parramatta. They always seem to get whoever they want.

 

[Toowoomba_Tiger]

There was talk that Parra were after him a few weeks ago.
I tend to think they were considering him as a replacement for Gutherson, but Gutho has resigned.
Might put us in the box seat for his signature. Just speculation!

 

[Tweed_Tiger]

Interesting that Girdler is saying he is leaving because he wants to play fullback because the Parra rumours had him linked to centre. Girdler may be just trying to spin it nicely for the club. I guess we will see where he ends up and what position.

 

[NT_Tiger]

Girdler said the Watene-Zelezniak request to leave was symptomatic of a selfish attitude from the players, who are “more worried about themselves than the club and the place is just a mess…”

I love this quote from Girdler and it tells the story.
Is anyone surprised that players are exhibiting a "selfish attitude", "more worried about themselves than the club"?
Sound familiar?
The Coach and his son set the example. If it's good enough for them it's good enough for me.

 

[Roar_Power]

If the Panthers have 12 players on long term deals soaking up $5m per season, they are the Bulldogs waiting to happen. How could management even put them in that situation? Investing in a 'premiership window' which is now no longer....

 

[momo_amp_medo]

@Spud_Murphy can’t figure out why the eels need him? To me they have fullback & wing positions covered.
And you wouldn’t sign him as a back up.
But stranger things have happened I suppose.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

@Roar_Power Well they did just sign Cleary on a long term +$1M contract .... so that leaves 11 players for the other $4M.

 

[hammertime]

This is how you build a good team. Keep our cap in order and pounce when these opportunities arise, making the Panthers fund a bunch of it. It's how the Sharks won a premiership... well that and actually cheating the cap!

We've had the reverse done to us for years.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

This is how you build a good team. Keep our cap in order and pounce when these opportunities arise, making the Panthers fund a bunch of it. It's how the Sharks won a premiership... well that and actually cheating the cap!

We've had the reverse done to us for years.

Yeah agree, we can't take him at full freight but if Penrith have to carry some of it, it could be a good buy.

At his best he is a real talent. Given how toxic things are at Penrith at the moment, and how badly the whole squad are playing, I would still be having a chat to his manager.

 

[swag_tiger]

Lol how would Malakai feel if 6 months after he joined to play with his brother Dallin went the opposite way.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

@Spud_Murphy can’t figure out why the eels need him? To me they have fullback & wing positions covered.
And you wouldn’t sign him as a back up.
But stranger things have happened I suppose.

No me neither, they’ve just re-signed Gutherson and they’re certainly not short on talent in the three quarters. Unless someone is leaving DWZ won’t be assured a first grade spot imo. He’d be way better off coming here and so would we if he did.

I guess that’s how it goes these days - the high profile teams get fat with all the surplus talent while the more unfashionable teams fight it out for the players who can’t get a regular gig at the high profile teams! In some cases it works out in our favour (i.e. Matterson) but mostly it just means the strong clubs have great depth and get even stronger.

 

[OzLuke]

@swag_tiger maybe middleton has the stats on how many times brothers have switched teams mid season.....maybe 1.....

 

[hugh1954]

What happened to that souths forward who is under the court case still ? He would be our 30th player wouldn't he ?

 

[swag_tiger]

What happened to that souths forward who is under the court case still ? He would be our 30th player wouldn't he ?

I'm sure the Tigers elected not to lodge his contract in the end ( NRL were yet to sign it off). So we still need 1 player.

 

[CarltonDry]

I thought we only signed overpaid bulldogs players so unless he does a Suli I can’t see him being signed here

 

[BearComplex]

Ticks the boxes for big body and speed everyone is calling for.