injuryupdate
08-07-2005, 08:34 PM
According to the Daily Telegraph yesterday, the West Sydney Razorbacks are trying to cut short Simon Dwight's contract because of a medical assessment of his knee problems. The report may not be accurate as there were no quotes from the club medical staff. However, the use of medical reports to terminate a contract early would be very controversial. Not wanting to commend this report by any means, but out of interest, here it is:
Row looms over Dwight contract
By Tim Morrissey
July 7, 2005
WEST Sydney Razorbacks have written to seven-year star Simon Dwight urging him to retire - but deny they will sack him.
West Sydney chief executive Robbie Cadee confirmed the club had sent the letter to Dwight, but denied it was basically a notice of termination.
Dwight has been plagued by knee injuries and it has restricted his ability to train with teammates in the lead-up to games.
"Simon's got to decide what he's doing, whether he's going to be retiring or not," Cadee said. "We've been told by our medical staff that his knees are shot and that he's got to consider retiring because they just can't treat him any more and they are worried about long-term damage."
However, Dwight was still a force in the NBL last season, averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds a game for West Sydney - which is above his career figures over 314 games of 14.9 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Dwight has approached and secured the full support of the NBL Players Association, which is affiliated with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance union.
MEAA representative Peter Moscat yesterday told The Daily Telegraph the matter was now in the hands of the lawyers.
"Without going into Simon's contract our legal people think he's got a very, very strong case and we are willing to back him all the way," Moscat said. "As far as we are concerned there is a contract there to be honoured.
"This has got to stop in basketball. You just can't cut players willy-nilly."
Cadee said he was unsure how Dwight's retirement for medical reasons would leave the club's contractual obligations but he was adamant Dwight had not been cut.
"The last thing I said to Simon is, 'Mate, you've got a contract but I don't know whether it will stand if you retire. But you need to go away and obviously think about it'."
Moscat and the MEAA's legal representatives will sit down with Cadee on Monday to discuss Dwight's position.
The Daily Telegraph
Row looms over Dwight contract
By Tim Morrissey
July 7, 2005
WEST Sydney Razorbacks have written to seven-year star Simon Dwight urging him to retire - but deny they will sack him.
West Sydney chief executive Robbie Cadee confirmed the club had sent the letter to Dwight, but denied it was basically a notice of termination.
Dwight has been plagued by knee injuries and it has restricted his ability to train with teammates in the lead-up to games.
"Simon's got to decide what he's doing, whether he's going to be retiring or not," Cadee said. "We've been told by our medical staff that his knees are shot and that he's got to consider retiring because they just can't treat him any more and they are worried about long-term damage."
However, Dwight was still a force in the NBL last season, averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds a game for West Sydney - which is above his career figures over 314 games of 14.9 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Dwight has approached and secured the full support of the NBL Players Association, which is affiliated with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance union.
MEAA representative Peter Moscat yesterday told The Daily Telegraph the matter was now in the hands of the lawyers.
"Without going into Simon's contract our legal people think he's got a very, very strong case and we are willing to back him all the way," Moscat said. "As far as we are concerned there is a contract there to be honoured.
"This has got to stop in basketball. You just can't cut players willy-nilly."
Cadee said he was unsure how Dwight's retirement for medical reasons would leave the club's contractual obligations but he was adamant Dwight had not been cut.
"The last thing I said to Simon is, 'Mate, you've got a contract but I don't know whether it will stand if you retire. But you need to go away and obviously think about it'."
Moscat and the MEAA's legal representatives will sit down with Cadee on Monday to discuss Dwight's position.
The Daily Telegraph