Western Force coach John Mitchell calls for player-contract rule changes
Western Force coach John Mitchell calls for player-contract rule changes
By Justin Chadwick
February 26, 2009 Western Force coach John Mitchell has urged the ARU to alter their contract rules to prevent players from signing with rival clubs mid-season.
Star fly half Matt Giteau's decision to return to Brumbies at the end of the season has left the Force scrambling to secure the rest of their playing stocks.
Wallabies duo Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor top the list of uncontracted players at the club contemplating a move east.
John Mitchell admitted the timing of Giteau's decision - just two rounds into the season - had been a major distraction and called on the ARU to review the current rules relating to contract negotiations.
“Hopefully people will see this situation and what we are experiencing as a club and they do consider looking at changing it going forward,” Mitchell said on Thursday.
“I think it's important for players to be totally focused and committed to the one cause.
“Every person and player has rights but it must be a distraction for them at this time of year, and more importantly it must be a distraction to a team.
“It is an unusual model and system in professional sports.”
With the future of several uncontracted players at the Force still up in the air, Mitchell said the club was trying its best to overcome the distraction ahead of a season-defining, three-game road trip starting with Saturday's derby clash with Brumbies in Canberra.
“Some of the more experienced players handle it very well, it's how the younger players handle those situations where they haven't been in that scenario much in life,” Mitchell said.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html
