Tim Mannah’s imminent move from Parramatta to Wests Tigers is up there with the saddest stories of 2019.
I’m just not sure who’s to blame.
Parramatta?
I guess you could argue they have done Mannah a favour by releasing a great old servant rather than embarrassing him by letting him languish in the anonymity of the NSW Cup for the rest of the season.
Wests Tigers?
They’ve seen an opportunity to add to their front-row depth, but many see it as a cynical attempt to put a rocket up out-of-favour props Russell Packer and Ben Matulino.
The NRL?
The rules which allow players to move clubs up until June 30 has always sat uneasily with fans.
Penrith fans will watch DWZ run around in Canterbury colours this weekend
James Roberts was in Red Hill one minute and Redfern the next.
Last year it was Aaron Woods and Moses Mbye handing in their locker keys mid-season.
No wonder parents don’t put players’ names on their kids’ jerseys anymore.
Does Mannah himself wear some of the blame for asking for a release?
Well, yes and no.
While many believe Mannah’s best days are behind him, the 31-year-old obviously disagrees.
He is fighting for his career and wants a chance to prove he’s still got something to offer.
The Eels were not going to re-sign him so he turned to the Tigers in the hope of convincing them he is worth a deal beyond 2019.
He’s earned that right.
But now comes the really sad part.
After spilling his blood for Parramatta over 11 seasons and 233 games – and captaining them for the best part of five years - Mannah’s status as a one club man will be ruined over, potentially, just 12 games for the Tigers.
That’s how long the Tigers’ campaign has left to run in 2019 unless there is some miraculous recovery in the second half of the season.
Mannah is a battler joining a battling club.
There doesn’t seem a great deal of upside for either party.