How 'rare situation' benefited Metcalf during contract negotiations

Could Luke Metcalf’s ACL injury actually help him when it came to his contract re-signing with the New Zealand Warriors?

Well, according to Sport Nation’s Mark Stafford, it just might have.

The halfback who had been leading the Dally M suffered the season-ending injury during the Warriors’ 12-26 loss to the Brisbane Broncos in Round 17.

With the 26-year-old not being on the field, it would coincide with New Zealand slipping from fourth with a two-game barrier to finishing sixth and being knocked out in the first week of finals against the Penrith Panthers.

And with his absence during this stretch, Stafford believes that it might have aided Metcalf’s negotiating power before he agreed to the two-year extension.

“It’s one of those rare situations that by not playing, his share price has gone up,” Stafford said on SEN’s Afternoons with Jimmy Smith.

“He was leading the Dally Ms, he was flying, but he could have had a dip.

“But he went out absolutely on top and sat back, and I reckon his contract value has ratcheted it up appreciably by not playing.”

While for Jimmy Smith, he believes that this news is confirmation that with Andrew Webster as coach and Cameron George as CEO, the club is heading in the right direction.

“I think it’s such a tick for Andrew Webster and Cameron George and the belief that they have put him,” he explained.

“But the fact that he is now a game-controlling No. 7, and we didn’t know that he could do that at the start of this year.

“The fact he is doing that and that they have got him at that price and that he’s recommitted to the club.

“It is absolutely massive for the Warriors.”