So it looks like Latrell may have played his last game for the Roosters

[OMR]

There’s an old Lebanese saying “ you’ll only know my Value after you leave me” he’ll know what we did for him after he leaves

[IRoosterManI]

There’s an old Lebanese saying “ you’ll only know my Value after you leave me” he’ll know what we did for him after he leaves

He has NEVER played in a team that isn’t filled with stars... he doesn’t look for work and plays according to his mood... he is in for a huge reality check when he is expected to carry his team all alone... not to mention he won’t have Robbo helping him off the field and wrapping him in cotton wool.

[TheLoneRooster]

Such a difficult thing it must be to balance repaying the club that helped you get to where you expect a seven-figure salary, with the understandable need to look after your family for the long term. Even though it is a very rarefied problem to have, Lattrell is on a hiding to nothing and so can only seek to do what's best for himself.

[Tommy Smith]

If Latrell actually leaves for the Tigers then I predict that he'll either be a boxer or a Union player plying his trade in Japanese rugby by his mid 20s.

I agree that he'll be in for a huge shock having to carry the load as the Tigers star man.

It truly is baffling. I don't for a second believe he actually wants to leave for the Tigers. I suspect that he was left humiliated by us pulling the offer - being the overly emotional and proud man he is - and is now leaving for the Tigers in an act of cutting his nose off to spite his face.

Or more accurately, given how stupendously dumb this move will be, cutting his head off to spite his neck.

If he doesn't regret this move by mid off season then he will by mid season. Meanwhile his agent and handlers will have made off with some cash so won't give a stuff.

[Tommy Smith]

Such a difficult thing it must be to balance repaying the club that helped you get to where you expect a seven-figure salary, with the understandable need to look after your family for the long term. Even though it is a very rarefied problem to have, Lattrell is on a hiding to nothing and so can only seek to do what's best for himself.

800k per year for 2 years, with another 8-10 years ahead to make millions more.... exactly how much is the cost of living in Taree? And how much does it cost to raise a family there?

I think this move is based on greed, status as a million dollar man (probably fuelled by da man Mundine), and pride.

It won't end well imo but hey, maybe that's just sour grapes.

[zac]

Given that we're not paying him 800k next year, it works out at more than 500k over the three years. If you want to retire when you're thirty, that's an incentive. And if you want to play fullback, that's not happening with us.

[TheLoneRooster]

800k per year for 2 years, with another 8-10 years ahead to make millions more.... exactly how much is the cost of living in Taree? And how much does it cost to raise a family there?

I think this move is based on greed, status as a million dollar man (probably fuelled by da man Mundine), and pride.

It won't end well imo but hey, maybe that's just sour grapes.

Lattrell stated that he wanted to retire by 30 and to give his children the life (childhood?) he didn't have. I don't know if that's being greedy, but I imagine he wants to earn as much as he can for reasons and people other than the two above. Then there's the ego/status part of being the "main man" in the team. Again, I don't know if that is what's driving him and if it is, I agree with you that in a team sport, it may not end well.

[Maxy Walker]

Obviously tigers wouldn’t have been his club of choice. His hand has been forced by the withdrawing of the offer by us.

Oh well good luck to him there but I can’t see how it can work out for either party. We’ve seen him look bored and disinterested playing for NSW and Australia so how is he going to get excited coming 9th every year with the tigers? Maguire won’t cop it and it’s just seems bound to end in tears to me.

[The Skeez]

He will play fullback for them and probably brain em.

Good luck to the young fella, but we will still be number 1

[fletch]

This won't be a popular view by many here and it might be influenced by my love of the NFL, but I think it is refreshing that Latrell has owned the fact he is chasing the money.

Many NRL players change clubs for money but aren't willing to own the decision.

I'm firmly in the camp that players are fully within their rights to earn as much as they can, people in all professions change jobs for money its time people get over the romanticism of loyalty in sport.

Yes its disappointing he won't be a life long Rooster but i'm certainly not going to hold a grudge over it.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Yes, valid points.

The salary cap is a pretty scandalous restraint of trade when you think about it. Were we able to pay him more he'd have stayed.

[TheLoneRooster]

Well said fletch, I'm in the same camp as you. If he goes to the tigpies, good luck to Lattrell except against the Roosters.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Happy for him as long as its not Souths.

[Lydon]

Happy for him as long as its not Souths.

I am of the same opinion, as long as it's not Souths then good luck to the kid..

[Spirit of 66]

So, if true, I expect the Roosters to soften the blow by announcing a whole bunch of re-signings.