Coach Adem Yze of Richmond responds to “disrespectful” trade rumors involving Shai Bolton.
Adem Yze, the coach of Richmond, has criticized the “disrespectful” trade rumors that have been circulating about some of his players’ futures.
With free agent Liam Baker and out-of-contract star Dustin Martin considering their options, the last-place Tigers may lose a number of players in the off-season.
Yze reaffirmed that he would pick players even if they informed him they wanted to quit the team, but he anticipates receiving a clear response in the upcoming weeks.
Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli, two contracted players, have also been linked to moves due to the ongoing rumors surrounding the team.
Although Yze recognized that teams were interested in players who were not under contract, he was not in the mood to discuss the rumors surrounding Bolton, a 25-year-old with four years left on his contract.
“I don’t need to talk about that. He’s under contract and one of our greatest players,” Yze stated on Thursday.
“I just want to talk about how we can get him to play his best football. The contract issues are unimportant, and the rumors about his plans for the upcoming season are, in my opinion, a touch offensive.
“He is one of our best players and has four years left on his contract.”
Yze expressed his admiration for the NRL model, citing increased clarity about player mobility.
“I’d choose those players.” Yze remarked, “I feel bad for the players because they’re going through this and have the entire season to bear this weight on their shoulders.”
“As an industry, I believe we could be ready for that at this moment.
