19/05/2008 10:20 PM
Canterbury legend Steve Mortimer has called on the NRL to introduce rules stopping players and coaches from switching clubs a year in advance, saying it is ruining the fabric of the sport.
Concerned his own club is reportedly battling to hang onto superstar Sonny Bill Williams one year into a five-year deal, Mortimer wants the NRL to play a more active role in promoting loyalty.
"One of the saddest things in rugby league is we are the only code that talks about players or coaches going somewhere next year," Mortimer said.
"The sooner the league puts a stop to that until the end of the season the better."
Mortimer was astonished to hear Williams may want out of the Bulldogs after signing off on a lucrative $400,000-a-year deal 12 months ago.
The Kiwi international is rumoured to be eyeing a career in rugby union or a change of NRL clubs.
"He is probably the best player in the competition. Why would a team - whether it be the Bulldogs or anyone else - let someone like him go?"
"I don't believe he wants to go. Ask Sonny Bill and then you will get the real truth of it."
"Footballers are in a privileged position now and if you're unhappy you've got to cope with things."
"Life is not all roses and if things aren't happy then you work through it."
"That has always been the way at the Bulldogs for many, many years, particularly in my time, before my time and since."
"I would like to think they will get through this."
Full-back Luke Patten called on Williams to clear the air and state his intentions.
"It would be good to see what he does think," Patten said.
"But having said that, I don't know enough about it to go into it and I'm sure in the next however long it will all get sorted out."
"He is one year into a five-year deal and obviously a big part of the club and someone the club can really build around in the years to come."
Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg added: "He is going to honour that contract with us and that is our firm stand and commitment at the moment."