Force firm on crucial piece of the puzzle

[SNOB]

When the AFL and NRL first made moves to restrict where players could be employed they were ruled a restraint of trade. The AFL players association decided not to contest the draft for the good of the game. The NRL chose not to persue a draft system. I wonder if denying a player who is legally in the country, and has an employer eager to continue to employ him, could also be a restraint of trade.

A very good point and probably valid. We probably need to ask one of our members who doesn't read Force coments to coment!

[Hoolly Doolly]

IMHO the need to retain Alby is massively linked to whether we want Sias. If we can't have Alby I don't think Sias is as big a priority, so Od be looking to finish the Alby deal before the Sias deal.

If we can't have Alby I'd be looking to sort out which Nine is the best fit for Zack.

Agreed. I don't think Zack has been given enough oppurtunity since being benched. I was dissapointed that Zack didnt get a run at Fullback but instead they got Dellit in on the wing. In hindsight by starting Prior, Zack may have been a better fit then Sias against the rebels.

[Nipper]

I'd venture to say that Holmes had a better showing than Sias against the Rebels. Don't know what was going on, but other than his goalkicking, he was having a borderline shocker. He just looked out of sorts - and he had been playing well up during the winning streak. Missed tackles, blown restarts, blew an almost guaranteed try...

[The InnFORCEr]

the thing is, how much longer will they let him sign for, if at all?

can we give him a 3 year deal? or will it be another 2

"I think" he would only need to be signed for another year and then he would be eligible to apply for residency, which would then mean in future contracts he would not be a "marquee" signing, "I think"

[shasta]

"I think" he would only need to be signed for another year and then he would be eligible to apply for residency, which would then mean in future contracts he would not be a "marquee" signing, "I think"

That, resident status, might add even more weight to a restraint of trade argument. If it's applicable. I think, under the current restrictions, he will never be eligible unless as a marquee. He's an All Black.

[AndyS]

I'm pretty sure the burden would be on Alby to prove the resriction is unreasonable, i.e that it prevented him from playing rugby at all, that the rules imposed by the ARU to restrict non-eligible players are both unreasonable and unwarranted, and then possibly even that the IRB national eligibility rules aren't reasonable.

[Rex Messup]

Sias has shown improvement but I think he has a long way to go to be playing international's. His form has been good but he makes a lot of crucial mistakes in games. He undoes a lot of good play with poor options at times. He is improving all the time though and I hope he stays with us

[Rex Messup]

Can't they just re sign alby as our marquee signing for another term? If he wants the contract it seems a shame he can't have it. If we are allowed a marquee player, it should be ok to have the same one again if you don't get another one? Some flexibility and common sense would be nice.

[shasta]

I'm pretty sure the burden would be on Alby to prove the resriction is unreasonable, i.e that it prevented him from playing rugby at all, that the rules imposed by the ARU to restrict non-eligible players are both unreasonable and unwarranted, and then possibly even that the IRB national eligibility rules aren't reasonable.

If that is the case, and I would not have a clue, how would it then be a restraint of trade for an AFL player not to be able to sign with any club he chooses, providing they are willing to employ him, because of the player draught regulations?

[AndyS]

I imagine because the draft by its nature says that if he doesn't take the offer from the team that selected him, he can't play at all and that restriction is unreasonable.

[chibi]

If we are allowed a marquee player, it should be ok to have the same one again if you don't get another one? Some flexibility and common sense would be nice.

Too bloody right.

[WF2006]

Some flexibility and common sense would be nice.

Seriously Rex, you do realise we are referring to the ARU here?

[Rex Messup]

Seriously Rex, you do realise we are referring to the ARU here?

Rex is a thought leader. Too many Muppets at aru hq. So many Of their big problems have simple solutions. It is embarrassing to read the shit they come up with and the issues where they can't find common ground....the mungos run their game better and that is laughable

[jono]

Sias has shown improvement but I think he has a long way to go to be playing international's. His form has been good but he makes a lot of crucial mistakes in games. He undoes a lot of good play with poor options at times. He is improving all the time though and I hope he stays with us

Agree, someone just has to show him that the sky doesn't fall when he misses a shot at goal or makes a single mistake

[Kept One]

Unless the ARU are prepared to support the Force like they do with the Tahs and Reds with top ups to encourage players to come to WA, they should vary the rules an allow Alby to stay. It is unlikely that he will play for another Australian side, so let him mentor WA youngsters in the game.