Brad Fittler has called for NRL contracts to be tightened after Isaiah Papali’i revealed he’s having second thoughts about going to the Tigers next year.
Papali’i signed with the club late last year, when Michael Maguire was still coach, and said the premiership mentor’s sacking had given him cold feet on the deal which would see him at Concord until the end of 2025.
“It was the coaching axing that went on. When I did sign it was talking to Madge, and he’s an awesome coach,” Papali’i told Nine News.
“Make the contracts better – make them so they can’t go,” he said.
“If you sign a contract, you’re there. It’s insane. I know how hard it is to put together salary caps … look at how much effort and energy they put into the salary cap and getting a club and a team together.
“That’s so hard – I hope he goes.”
Andrew Johns agreed: “If you signed a contract, it’s done isn’t it?
“If you sign a contract, you play (there).”
Papali’i’s Eels take on the Rabbitohs tonight. Victory will go a long way to restoring Parramatta’s top-four credentials.
