Former Raiders star Laurie Daley was being held close to the Canberra side on this day in 1991, after he suggested he might leave the team in favour of England's Wakefield Trinity.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An article, mentioned on the front page of The Canberra Times, said he was expected to announce his off-season signing with the club, and told media the week prior he might look to end his contract early.
"It would be absolute rubbish to suggest we would let him go," Raiders' then-chief executive John McIntyre said.
"We don't even want to let the guys coming off contract go, let alone those who are under contract for next year."
A player exodus was suspected at the end of the Raiders' 1991 season, with another league great, Mal Meninga, "certain" to be one of the casualties.
Daley had a clause in his contract at the time to play the off-season in Britain. In 1992, a severe knee injury saw him unable to fulfil his eventual contract for Wakefield Trinity.