First published on PATREON and SUBSTACK
By STEVE MASCORD
AUSTRALIAN players concede the NRL’s negotiation deadline – yesterday – has been a popular source of banter in their World Cup camp.
The deadline, which allows players to negotiate with other clubs if they are off contract a year from that date, is a popular topic in the mainstream media but green-and-golds stars admit they are not immune to the widespread interest around potential transfers.
“It’s definitely going to be a mix-up,” three-try winger Jack Bostock said after a 66-6 win over Cook Islands at QCB Stadium on Saturday night. “We can see how many players are coming off on November 1.
“It’s been a bit of a running joke in the camp: who’s going where and what’s going to to happen.
“I think (Sunday) will probably start with the manager and see what’s happening.“
Fullback Reece Walsh is one Australia star not impacted by the deadline and he says that while the players are interested in each others’ movements, it has not adversely affected the Cup holders’ camp.
“I wouldn’t say It’s bogged them down,” the Brisbane custodian said. “You fellas in the media probably play it off a bit.
“I was talking to a few of the fellas not off contract. It’s pretty interesting a few of the yarns getting thrown around.
“I feel like everyone’s been really locked in to camp and training. Obviously there’s been jokes and a bit of chat here and there but to be honest I don’t feel that it’s weighed (down) or hindered anyone’s training or their connection or their presence in camp.
“That’s probably just a testament to their character and the people that we have in here.
“They’ve got a bit on. It’s going to be pretty crazy these next couple of months.
“To see them all applying themselves at training and how much they care about their footy, I’ve got a lot of respect for them and it’s probably something I can take out of it.”
Asked about reports he was heading back to Sydney or Wollongong, Bostock said: “The boys have been sending me stories all week but it’s definitely not 100 percent set in stone, coming to Sydney.
“I’m not sure where that’s come from. I spoke to the Dolphins a couple of weeks ago and said I wanted to see mu options, see what I could do. It’s definitely not set in stone that I’m leaving the Dolphins. It’s just a matter of going through the processes now.
“Obviously, like everyone says, it’s a cliche but it’s hard to do while you’re in here. The task at hand is winning a World Cup.
“Once I can sort out the time with my manager during the week, we’ll sit down or have a phone call and we’ll figure out what we’re gonna do.”
Discussing Bostock, Walsh said: “What is he, 23? Hard working, he can play many positions. You can see him there, he’s still growing into his body.
“He’s an awesome talent, he works really hard. To be in camp, you can see the character he is and he knows how to flick the switch and get the hard work at training.
“But then he’s a character off the field who gets the players galvanised and having a laugh.”
Bostock – normally a centre – has now scored six tries in the World Cup so far, saying:”I can thank Wayne (Bennett) for that, putting me on the wing when I came through the Dolphins. It’s a good thing to have in your back pocket when it comes to rep because you can ben a man who is in the team to help out both positions.
“He chucked me on the wing. I didn’t really want to be there but he chucked me there and I really like it now.
“If Wayne Bennett asks you to do something, I suppose there’s always a plan behind it. I’d only played wing once or twice before that so I just didn’t feel comfortable out there. That was my only issue.”
Image: NRL Photos
