SEN’s Scott Sattler has implored Parramatta Eels forward Isaiah Papali’i to honour his contract and give incoming Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens and the club a fair chance.
Papali’i has dominated headlines as he has cast serious doubt over whether he will stick by his $1.9 million contract which will see him play for the Tigers over the next three years.
The 23-year-old has failed to endorse the move and is reportedly considering backflipping on the deal.
Papali’i added that a contributing factor to his decision was the sacking of former Tigers coach Michael Maguire who initially recruited him.
Sattler said that Sheens has an ability to get the most out of a player that most rugby league coaches don’t and that Papali’i may come to regret not being coached under Tim Sheens.
“There is never one mention that there is a clause in the contract that states, ‘I am signing here due to Michael Maguire, that’s who I negotiated with and because he’s not there, I don’t want to go there anymore’,” Sattler said on SEN 1170 Sportsday.
“Bad luck. If there’s no clause, you sit out 12 months, sit out two years or whatever it may be.
“Isaiah Papali’i, give Tim Sheens a chance.
“He will unlock something in you as a player that you will never get from any other coach in the competition.”
Sheens has coached four premiership-winning teams including the Tigers’ sole grand final win in 2005.
Sattler further said that Papali’i must listen to rugby league players association (RLPA) CEO Clint Netwon’s advice and abide by the contract that he had agreed to.
“The RLPA have stepped in,” he said.
“Clint Newton has said that we (the RLPA) are telling him to honour his contract.
“They want all players to honour their contracts.”
Papali’i said he will make a final decision on his contract future at the end of the season.