I feel a bit more bullish about our position here than others.
While everyone is talking about North's leverage, don't forget it is us who has the relationship with the player.
Assuming that the relationship hasn't gone south, and the communication lines are open, there is always the chance the kid rethinks his position.
North's situation is actually worse, in my opinion, if a deal can't get done during the trade period.
By walking CCJ to the pre-season draft, they take the risk he changes his mind under heavy pressure from us, plus it robs them of the chance to target another player with that pick. I doubt they want to take that path.
In any event, the idea that the player isn't worth pick #20 because he's only played a handful of games in four years is disingenuous. If our negotiating is any good, that argument will be shot down in an instant.
Big guy taken at pick #20, four years' development at the best club in the land, limited opportunities due to having two premiership ruckmen in front of him, not to mention robbing himself of games due to suspension ... sorry, he's worth pick #20 this year at a minimum.
It's a delicious test of our negotiating skills. I'm pleased with what we've been saying publicly these past few days.
But, on recent form, I'm not as confident as I would like to be that our guys will broker a fair result.
Fingers and toes are crossed.
