Reds 2011

[RugbyReg]

interesting article about Adam Mogg. Tis about league in Europe but their are similar lessons.

Adam Mogg wants the NRL's players to know the grass isn't always greener on the other side. An extra zero on a two-year contract doesn't necessarily lead to a greater bank balance. Moving your family halfway across the world for a $50,000-a-year raise isn't always the best option.

Mogg should know. He's just taken a six-figure pay cut to return to the Canberra Raiders. The 32-year-old has cut short his deal with French Super League club Catalans by 18 months to bring his young family home. And he's confident he can make up the financial loss through his emerging business interests.

''I've put family ahead of money,'' Mogg said. ''Most people think I'm crazy this late in my career coming back to Australia and dropping a year-and-a-half of what is predominantly the biggest contract of my career. But I've also earned a little bit more outside of football. It's not all about what you earn in football, it's the opportunities you can create outside football.''

Mogg has regrets about moving to the Super League while at the peak of his powers. Living in the south of France for three years certainly had its perks but Mogg can't help but wonder what would have been had he stayed.

He had broken into the Queensland State of Origin side during his final season at the Raiders in 2006, scoring three tries in two games to help the Maroons to a series win.

Then there's the business opportunities and the networking he missed out on while he was on the other side of the world. Though the higher salary cap in the Super League paves the way for extra zeros on the end of contracts, Mogg doesn't believe these bigger deals are always what they seem.

He says it costs a lot of money to relocate your family and then your wife or partner might not even be able to work.

''A lot of players go overseas for the money and your playing career is short and that's the sales pitch that goes with it,'' he said. ''But I think the opportunity to stay in Australia and play football and network is probably going to further what you're going to earn after football, rather than go over there and earn an extra $50,000 a year.

''Managers play their role and their role is to go out and get a player as much money as they can. But I just think that players need some more advice.''

A financial planner before he moved to the Raiders in 2002, Mogg believes there's a niche for him to work either alongside or as a foil to player managers.

But there's a little bit more football left in Mogg before he swaps his boots for a calculator and spreadsheets. Mogg was a late bloomer and believes he has played some of his best football late in his career. He didn't make his NRL debut for Parramatta until he was 24 and took until the ripe old age of 28 to play Origin.

''Not having that extra four or five years that the young kids these days are playing, it's helped me keep a little bit fresher at the back end,'' he said.

Mogg had already agreed to terms with Catalans when he played his first game for the Maroons and said his word was the only thing that stopped him from backing out from the new deal. ''I had a lot of second thoughts about going. You've just cracked Origin and you'd love to stay and keep playing it,'' he said.

''But at the end of the day I'd given the French club my word that I was going. Although nothing was signed I didn't want to do a backflip on that.''

Mogg took great satisfaction out of helping build Catalans into a competitive force. He also got the opportunity to develop his game, moving into the halves after spending his NRL career in the outside backs. But by early this year he and his family had decided they'd had enough.

Last month Mogg decided he was coming back to Australia as soon as possible. Two days later he got a phone call from Raiders coach David Furner asking if he wanted to help fill the void left by injured stars Joel Monaghan and Justin Carney. ''We were back in Australia three weeks later. It happened pretty quickly, it was pretty bizarre,'' he said.

 

[Jets]

''Managers play their role and their role is to go out and get a player as much money as they can. But I just think that players need some more advice.''

I must be naive but I always thought that the managers role was to search for and receive offers for the player, discuss them with the player, maybe provide the player with some advice and then do what the player wants.
The manager works for the player not the other way around.

 

[RugbyReg]

as long as Managers are making 15% or whatever then you know where their bread is buttered.

 

[Ruggo]

as long as Managers are making 15% or whatever then you know where their bread is buttered.

Spot on Noddy.

I just wish this would all be put to rest. Haven't Reds fans had enough missery over the last few years. Given that Quade will have to sell himself as a greatly matured individual during his trial, wouldn't it make sense to just put this to bed and tell his manager he only wants to play for the Reds and instruct him to persue the best deal he can with them soley. Announce it to the public and do his image a great favour.

 

[fatprop]

It would be a strange move to me.

But if they are offering him a shed load of money, you can understand.

I don't see how "poaching" starters from other sides helps aus rugby though

 

[Biffo]

''Managers play their role and their role is to go out and get a player as much money as they can. But I just think that players need some more advice.''

I must be naive but I always thought that the managers role was to search for and receive offers for the player, discuss them with the player, maybe provide the player with some advice and then do what the player wants.
The manager works for the player not the other way around.

I agree. I prefer the British use of the term "agent" to our "manager", as it more accurately describes the relationship.

 

[Biffo]

Cooper has to decide what is in his own best interests. If he has been offered a huge contract worth, say, AUD 1.5 million per year, he would need powerful reasons to stay where he is. The money for a standard S14 and Wallaby contract is not great in terms of the working life of the average player. The opportunity to earn as much in three years for the Force as for ten for the Reds would sway any rational man.

 

[HG]

Quade isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Man when he got his first contract he went out and purchased a Mini Cooper.

If he is been offered an obscene amount of money he may just take it especially if the Reds don't make the finals as he will see it as just another year.
However if the Reds make the semis then he will be more of a chance of staying.

 

[cyclopath]

Quade isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Man when he got his first contract he went out and purchased a Mini Cooper.

Nice one HG. Reminds me of a regular in a pub where I used to work, who was known only as Robbo, who did not know his address, except that he "Lived down the road from Johnno". Awesome pool player though!

 

[Tiger]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...dparty-cooper-deal-dismays-20100415-shtq.html

Seems to be confirmed at least that the Force have made an offer to Cooper and that it is astro-mega-nomical.

 

[RugbyReg]

the thing is the Reds could've dumped Cooper to the curb once the lap top thing arose. Then where would his bargaining power be? He may be already at the Force for minimum wage, but let it be known the only reason he is in a position to be talking million dollar contracts is because the Reds (and the ARU) stuck by him.

 

[chief]

I'm sorry but we cannot forget the court case as Noddy has pointed out. One thing is possible that Quade may not be playing rugby from July this year. This case is serious, and a criminal conviction will certainly be pending. But one must wonder if Quade is playing every game of rugby as his last.

 

[Scotty]

I think last is a bit extreme, even if he is convicted. More likely a year or two out of the game.

I mean, they let Palu play, and his conviction was for something arguably worse than Cooper's charge.

 

[HG]

He will be playing after the court case.
He won't be going to the big house.
Chief you are been a drama queen.

 

[Jets]

I agree. There is no chance he will be locked away.

 

[TOCC]

he wont be locked away..

but as noddy pointed out, you would have to be a royal fuckwit to walk away from QLD after they stood by him through all this shit. He talks about maturing and all this sort of crap, but taking the dash for cash would have to be the most immature thing he could do.

 

[HG]

Show me in print where Cooper has come out and said he is looking at offers.
He hasn't and thats it. In fact Cooper has keep very quite over this period.
His manager has been on the hustings looking for deals as all good managers do.
He has to get some idea of his market value and the only way to do this is what his manager is doing. Does not mean that he will take the largest offer though.

 

[Lee Grant]

I think that all Oz rugby fans, except those out west, will be hoping that Quade stays in Queensland and that mentions of his leaving are just furphies.

After all the years of trial and tribulation we are seeing Queensland on the rise and though the phrase "Oz rugby needs a strong Queensland" may be trite, it doesn't mean it is untrue. Many factors have contributed to the renaissance including the hiring of a new head coach and defensive coach, but if you have to pick a primary catalyst who is a player, it is Cooper.

Apart from results, we all notice something in the way the Reds are playing which is admirable. We see a throwback to the rise of Wallaby rugby which started in the late 70's and early 80s. Then we saw the Oz backs, many from the famous Oz Schools 1977-78 touring side, playing the game as it was supposed to be played: as though it was fun; but fun with skill and vision.

We all want the Reds to hold onto that trend so that other Oz teams may be infected by it. Who knows: history may repeat itself. It was no coincidence that the rise in Oz rugby in the late 70s was preceded by the rise in Queensland rugby.

We want to enjoy the continued rise of the Reds, except when they play our team, and for that to happen Cooper has to stay up north. Let's all of us east of Perth hope that he does.

 

[RugbyReg]

it just doesn't make sense.

Leaving Genia's crispness for Sheehan's selfishness?
Fainga'a's guidance for Cross's naiveness
Chambers athletism for Inman's limitations
Diggers and Davies brilliance for Cummins and Sare's what exactly?

Hynes v JOC (James O'Connor), yeah much of muchness. JOC (James O'Connor)'s a better mate apparently.

 

[Lion]

I would hate to see him leave, I know the Reds have gone the extra mile to support him etc etc.

From what I have heard, Quade will earn in 2 years at the Force more than what he can earn in 4-5 years at the Reds.

Apparently It is an obscene amount of money, even compared to Giteau's deal.