Questions have been raised over the legitimacy of Francis Molo’s release request on mental health grounds in order for the NRL to avoid setting a dangerous precedent for players to exploit.
Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
The Dragons agreed to release Molo effective immediately on Tuesday under the condition he pay back a six-figure sum that was advanced to him from his wages.
CHANCES ARE YOU’RE ABOUT TO LOSE. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Veteran journalist Andrew Webster believes Molo’s version of events doesn’t add up with requesting a release from the final two years of his deal.
“What happened was that Francis Molo in the end of season review, one of the assistant coaches said to him, it wasn’t a good look that you didn’t go to Mad Monday celebrations,” Webster explained on NRL 360.
“He said, I’m off alcohol, I don’t want to be around alcohol. They said, well you know what, you’re one of the leaders in the team. Can you should have just gone there, shook a few hands.
“And apparently that has been enough for Francis Molo to want out of the club. To me, that doesn’t line up. That doesn’t line up to me at all.”
Webster believes Molo wouldn’t have agreed to pay back money unless he had another deal lined up elsewhere.
“I think it says a lot about the Dragons, how they dug in on this, and they’ve got a six-figure sum back from Francis Molo to get that release,” Webster said.
MORE NRL NEWS
TEAM TIPS: Shock solution to Dogs halves puzzle as Wayne faces crisis
‘CAUGHT OUT’: Eels’ ‘strange’ Lomax call questioned as Ryles ‘s**t fight’ laid bare
‘DIDN’T HAVE TO LET HIM GO’: Ryles’ regret as Gutho-less Eels left ‘leaderless’
“I’d be stunned if he hasn’t got somewhere to go, if a deal isn’t stitched up somewhere.”
Braith Anasta added “So he’s given money back to leave, which means he’s probably got somewhere to go.
“You don’t just give money back without a club to go to.”
Webster called on the NRL to investigate the circumstances of his release request to avoid setting a dangerous precedent for other NRL players wanting to get out of their contracts to exploit.
“I think the bigger picture here is the fact that he’s used mental health to get out of the last two years of his deal,” Webster said.
“I spoke to the NRL tonight. I thought they might have looked at this. I think it sets a bit of an interesting precedent.
Is 2025 the year that Penrith ‘crumble’? | 02:20
“I think they should have looked at the legitimacy of his mental health claims and whether he should have been released from the last two years of his deal.
“I was told by not just the Dragons, but people at the NRL that his manager was shopping him around before any of this blew up.
“He was on sick leave, but they’d also given him an advance on some of his pay, so that’s why some of that money came back,” Webster said.
“I’m glad the Dragons dug in because they gave early releases to Hunt and Lomax.
“But it’s very, very messy, and I want to see a little bit more transparency around the circumstances.”
Anasta fired up over Ilias criticism | 05:46
Paul Crawley believes there could be a deeper issue at the Dragons given the number of players that have requested releases in the last couple of seasons.
“It’s not the first time though, we’ve had players, many players, over recent years that have used the mental health card to get out of contracts and go to different clubs,” Crawley said.
“I think there’s also a concern here, and you can’t ignore it with the Dragons in recent years, there’s been a few now that have wanted to get out of their contracts and this is just another one.
“Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax pushed for it last year. There’s been others. Even though, in all instances, they’ve held their nerve, it’s still a concern that players want to leave.”
Gorden Tallis believes the NRL and all the clubs need to make a stance because the players hold all the power at the moment.
“The Dragons had a bit of spine when they made me sit out,” Tallis said.
“If every club does it, it won’t become the players’ league. At the moment, it’s the players’ league.”
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO ABOVE
Discussion about this post