I think there are 2 modes of thought in relation to how much Karmichael and Folau are being paid.

One is the AFL/club view that the money is well spent because of the extra media coverage and interest these players generate.

No matter how they go on the field, these signings have boosted the exposure exponentially over the next year or more leading up to the point where they play their first game.

Even if the players fail, the interest has been generated up to that point, which they simply would struggle to do otherwise.

So these contracts are more than just the signing of a player - they are an investment in the game's future in these areas. An investment where the EARNED VALUE is much greater than the money spent.

The other mode of thought is the Voss/player view - how can one player be worth such an exorbitant amount of money? How can a player that has NEVER played the game at a professional level possibly be worth that much, or be worthy of being the best paid player in the game?

How is that fair to the other players who have played the game all their lives? How is it fair to the superstars who have to accept much much less??

The latter view is narrow-minded and fails to take into consideration the marketing value of these players.

The players themselves aren't worth the money, but the situation they find themselves in, they are some of the luckiest professional athletes in history.

Never again will their market value be higher and it is not because of their on-field ability, but rather the attention they will bring to the game.

Ablett may be the best player in the game, but he is already ours. If he signs with one of the new teams it will be huge news WITHIN the sport.

Sure, his transcends sports and generates respect, but for the average RL fan his switching of teams is relatively meaningless.

Even if people watch Folau and Hunt in their first matches to see them fail, they may also came away with a respect for some aspects of the game and remember that #23 went alright, looks like he could be good.

It's really all about plating seeds and capturing the imagination of 'foreign' sports fans and no one can do that better right now than the 2 converts.

It all comes down to one thing. A very simple rule that always works as long as it is implemented wisely.

"You must Spend Money to Make Money"

Clearly Voss and certain parts of the Sydney Media do not realize this or more probably do not want to admit it.

That's not what Ray Hadley said this morning on SEN...he was all dismissive of it, but yes off air i bet he was heartbroken!!! only one of these guys need to make it and the walls of the NRL will crumble.

Having listened to Rugby League fanatics, of whom Hadley is one of the most prominant and stupid (and that is saying something) I have never heard such a collection of men who 1) have zero rapport with the social values of the society around them and 2) who have such little appreciation of the commercial environment in which they live. By the way I don't include David Gallop in this, but since the NRL is controlled largely by this cabal of men, it explains why they neither predicted or understand the AFL firestorm which is about to destroy them.

Ray Hadley's reaction is typical of this group. His head is not in the sand,his whole body is, and he simply is unable to understand how the culture of league over the last five years has slowly made the code unacceptable to the vast majority of the Australian population. And by not understanding it, they are unable to do anything about it.

The AFL if anything go too far in this respect. Their social tentacles are acute, and so are their strategic skills. Make no mistake, this play by the AFL is designed to destroy the NRL, it is a classic corporate play, and in my opinion extremely well thought out and executed (so far). The Hadley's of this world will be left wondering what happened while they scream about the injustice of it all.

Acute social tentacles? Nice.

My favourite is Tommy Raudonikis.

A hard man, but he must be punch drunk from his playing days.

Little of what he says makes any sense.

Having listened to Rugby League fanatics, of whom Hadley is one of the most prominant and stupid (and that is saying something) I have never heard such a collection of men who 1) have zero rapport with the social values of the society around them and 2) who havesuch liitle appreciation of the commercial environment in which they live. By the way I don't include David Gallop inthis, but since the NRL is controlled largely by the cabal of these men, it explains why they neither predicted or understand the firestorm which is the AFL which is about to destroy them.

Ray Hadley's reaction is typical of this group.his head is not in the sand,his whole body is, and simply is unable to understand how the cultureof league over the last five years has slowly made the code unacceptable to the vast majority of the Australian population. And by not understanding it they are unable to do anything about it.

The AFL if anything go too far in this respect. Their social tentacles are acute, and so are their strategic skills. Make no mistake, this play by the AFL is designed to destroy the NRL, it is a classic corporate play, and in my opinion extremely well thought out and executed (so far). The Hadley's of this world will be left Wondering what happened while they scream about the injustice of it all.

Hadley is a Neanderthal...actually thats unfair to Neandethals !! A typical view held by a commentary throwback lassooed to a competition that never really had the legs it thought.

Now the Roos are looking... then there will be others. Any league player with a view to a 'better' job just might start canvasing via his manager.Folau and Hunt are the tip of an iceberg...an iceberg thats melting btw. With teams looking at all sorts of avenues for new talent this game of ours is about to undergo some changes wanted and unwanted.

Will be quite interesting to see what sort of folk end up at various afl clubs post season for pre draft training !!

Hadley is a Neanderthal...actually thats unfair to Neandethals !! A typical view held by a commentary throwback lassooed to a competition that never really had the legs it thought.

Now the Roos are looking... then there will be others. Any league player with a view to a 'better' job just might start canvasing via his manager.Folau and Hunt are the tip of an iceberg...an iceberg thats melting btw. With teams looking at all sorts of avenues for new talent this game of ours is about to undergo some changes wanted and unwanted.

Will be quite interesting to see what sort of folk end up at various afl clubs post season for pre draft training !!

Yes, I can see the time when all Afl clubs will be forced to have a few ex rugby league first graders not by statute of the AFL, but for competitive reasons. Make no mistake, although I don't like Rugby League as a game, it does have some specific skills which are superior to AFL and can be very useful in the AFL game eg tackling, running the lines, dummy running, diversion runnning, set plays.

If it turns out that the rugby league converts help take these skills to new levels, then rugby league expertise may become essential in each AFL club. It would also make AFL more intersting for League converts possibly.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/greg-inglis-in-talks-with-bombers/story-e6frf9jf-1225875720478

Inglis is talking to the Bombers now. Wants to stay in Melbourne and isn't sure the Storm will be able to afford him next year.

How will it work for an existing club? Will they get to put part of his salary outside the cap?

I wouldn't be surprised if there where rule changes made to encourage the richer clubs to start poaching NRL players.

I can think for 30 odd players Izzy and Hunt are better than already. Josh or Leon anyone???

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/greg-inglis-in-talks-with-bombers/story-e6frf9jf-1225875720478

Inglis is talking to the Bombers now. Wants to stay in Melbourne and isn't sure the Storm will be able to afford him next year.

How will it work for an existing club? Will they get to put part of his salary outside the cap?

I wouldn't be surprised if there where rule changes made to encourage the richer clubs to start poaching NRL players.

Also talking to NFL.

Readme

Say what you want, I'd have him as a rookie in a heartbeat.