Absolute and utter crap. I have several solid direct and more than a few indirect sources who all would categorically disagree with this.
1) First, a guy with work (who is mad Richmond) has a son on another Melbourne based clubs list. The player manager and the family are obviously on good terms. This player manger has said a number of times that Richmond are a nightmare to deal with in order to facilitate player movements the reason being is always money offered for new talent.
Player managers prefer to have contracts signed quickly rather than elongate the process. Management take a 10% cut of any contract. However, most players are managed by a company, which would take 5% and the manager themselves the other five. Obviously this arn't always the exact numbers, but reasonable to assume its somewhere around this mark. So if a player is offer 350k a season, the company takes 17.5 and the manager 17.5.
If a player wants more money, lets say they're hoping for 500k, the manager works his arse off for 6 months, takes risks and gambles, ultimately its only for a personal gain 7.5k a year. Whereas, if they get the cheaper deal done quickly, the manager can look after 3 or 4 extra players and do the deals quicker and they're looking at 17.5k*3 or 4.
Obviously this are hypothetical figures, but anyone who knows the game knows that this is the status quo. RFC obviously understand this, and play the game accordingly. They know that if they play hardball, the management will ultimately want to ensure a faster signature rather than draw the process out.
Over all, I'm a bit sick and tired of posters here calling out for heads to roll, getting the masses ready, pitchfork and torch at the ready, when the trade period hasn't even started.
I absolutely will be upset and disappointed if we dont' do well after trade period is done and dusted, but until then can we please just wait and see.
