The Sharks were trying to sign Valentine Holmes to a five-year extension.GETTY IMAGES
Valentine Holmes' National Rugby League career "is on ice" after Cronulla granted the fullback's wish for an immediate release from his contract on Tuesday to pursue a career in the NFL, according to the London GUARDIAN. The Sharks had been trying to tie Holmes down to a five-year extension, which would have made him the highest-paid player in the club’s history, but the club said it had "no option" but to allow him to leave. Under the terms of the release, if Holmes is unsuccessful in the NFL and wants to return to the NRL in '19, "he will not be eligible to play for any other club." Cronulla CEO Barry Russell said that the club was "disappointed" by Holmes' decision, but acknowledged what he had done for the Sharks and the game of rugby league. Russell: "We are incredibly saddened to see him leave our club and exit the game of rugby league, however we wish him all the best in pursing his NFL career and hope one day he may again wear the Sharks colors" (GUARDIAN, 11/19). The AAP's Darren Walton reported Holmes acknowledged the Sharks' understanding and support of his decision, while confirming he would "enter fresh discussion with the club" about his rugby league career if his "American dream" does not pan out (AAP, 11/20).
'RISKING EVERYTHING': In Brisbane, Peter Badel reported Holmes admitted he is "risking everything" by walking out on a A$5M ($3.6M) NRL contract but insisted he has "no fears" in his bid to become an NFL player, saying, "I'm not planning to fail." He said that he is "so determined to succeed in America there is a chance he may never return to the NRL." Holmes: "I am 100% committed to making the NFL. I wouldn't be risking everything if I didn't think I could make it." He will leave for the U.S. in January to "train for nothing" at the IMG Academy in Florida -- home to the NFL's Int'l Player Pathway Program. Holmes will enter the program with "no concrete guarantee of a formal contract." He is "considering two positions" in his new sport -- punt returner or slot receiver (COURIER-MAIL, 11/20).
PROTECTING CLUBS: In Sydney, Proszenko & Nicolussi reported Cronulla urged the NRL to "put protections in place" for clubs to ensure Holmes is the last contracted player to "try his luck in the NFL with the safety net of a rugby league return" if he does not make the cut. NRL CEO Todd Greenberg "floated the prospect of inserting clauses" into player contracts to prevent them trialing with rival codes. Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan believes the measure "is necessary to prevent more star players departing rugby league." Flanagan: "I think Barry Russell has spoken to Todd about it. While there's nothing in place, I think there might be on the future. My [view] is if you want to go to the NFL and you're in contract with a club, don't expect to walk straight back in. That needs to be the rule. Blokes walk out of contracts, everyone is doing it, which is not a good thing" (THE AGE, 11/20).
