FORMER Broncos great Gorden Tallis believes Ben Barba and Anthony Milford should have to pay their own transfer fees if theyre serious about the family reasons to move to Brisbane. Tallis offered St George his entire $450,000 Super League contract when he wanted to move to Brisbane, but was rejected and instead sat out the entire 1996 season so he could be with his family in Queensland. Barba and Milford have both requested compassionate releases from their NRL deals at Canterbury and Canberra so they can return to Queensland where they will most likely sign with the Broncos. Both players would almost certainly receive upgraded contracts in Brisbane and it is the financial gain that has raised suspicion about the duo profiting from compassionate releases. Tallis said the simple answer is for Barba and Milford to forfeit their excess salary back to their current clubs. "Whatever Brisbane pay them over and above what they’re on, the Raiders and Bulldogs should get," Tallis said. "I’ve got nothing wrong with the players wanting to be around family. I know what they’re feeling. "Everything becomes secondary when family is involved. "I understand all that, but don’t try and go and play for another club and get out of your contract. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. That is why the game is not believing you. "Don’t think you can just go elsewhere and get more money." The Courier Mail understands such a scenario has been discussed for Barba as his current deal is worth less than $400,000 while he could command up to $700,000 from the Broncos or Gold Coast Titans next season. The Bulldogs could demand Barba pays for a release, as was the case with Sonny Bill Williams, so that his only benefit next season is being closer to his family as per the reason of his release. The other option is the Bulldogs negotiate directly with Barba’s club of choice for a transfer fee which would not count under the salary cap. Such a move could prove very costly for the Broncos if the Bulldogs and Raiders were to seek such compensation. Tallis had told Triple M radio the Raiders should play hardball with Milford, who sought a release six weeks ago to be home with his ill father in Brisbane, later adding the young fullback should leave Canberra immediately if the situation was that concerning. "The Raiders need to dig their heels in," Tallis said. "If his family is really sick then you go home straight away. "It’s a no brainer, football or family, I know which one comes first. That is why I moved to Queensland and why I sat out a season to be with them. "If he asked six weeks ago for a release well then his dad has been sick since then and he should be there already. "I would be home with them now and the furthest thing from my mind when my dad was sick was footy."
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 07:04:26 +0000
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