Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart doesn't want to lose England international John Bateman, but the star second-rower and his manager Isaac Moses have been allowed to test the market because they're after a "bigger pay day".
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Bateman's contracted to the Green Machine for 2021 after initially signing a three-year deal to come to Canberra from Wigan.
The Raiders forked out a $370,000 transfer fee for the 26-year-old, but he's switched to Moses since making the move down under.
Because Bateman's previous manager negotiated his Canberra deal it potentially means Moses won't earn anything until Bateman's next contract.
It has Canterbury, Gold Coast and St George Illawarra all sniffing around.
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"It's a part of the business. It's a very challenging time at the moment because John's a big part of the family and I've got a great relationship with John, and we don't want to lose him," Stuart said.
"But there's different scenarios and circumstances around the decision which is very unfortunate.
"But I've got a squad of players here to worry about. I can't take my eye off that.
"[Raiders chief executive Don Furner]'s already said that he's been given the opportunity to go and test the market because he and his manager are after a bigger pay day."
A shoulder injury means Bateman will sit out the Raiders' game against the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne on Saturday.
It will be Josh Papalii's 200th NRL game, having made his debut for the Green Machine against the Storm in 2011.
"Josh is one of our favourites. He's one of the nicest guys I've coached ... he just has the respect, an enormous amount of respect from all the boys and staff here as a club," Stuart said.
"He'll go down as one of the favourites as a number of other players have. Josh Papalii is just a decent human being who is so humble, yet so talented.
"We've still got so much football in front of Josh and so much of a career to achieve, but I feel very privileged to say I've coached Josh Papalii.
"His humility and the respect he has for the club and the players that he plays with is a wonderful trait of his."
NRL ROUND THREE
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Melbourne, 7.35pm.
Raiders team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Corey Horsburgh. Interchange from: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Michael Oldfield, 18. Jordan Rapana, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Kai O'Donnell, 21. Tom Starling.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Justin Olam, 4. Marion Seve, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange from: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 16. Christian Welch, 17. Max King, 18. Tom Eisenhuth, 19. Brenko Lee, 20. Ryley Jacks, 21. Darryn Schonig.
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
