MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Dylan Brown and Jamal Fogarty want more money, while Kalyn Ponga playinf for Maori team

If one of my teammates had a clause in his contact allowing him to negotiate his way out of the club every 12 months or so, I’d shirtfront him.

I’d start by questioning his loyalty to the club and teammates and demand to know why he’s even contemplating jumping ship before a ball’s been kicked in the new season.

Parramatta’s Dylan Brown and Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty have been agitating over their futures.

Fogarty was denied a request to test the market for 2026 while Brown’s management is busy shopping their client around for next year after exercising a clause allowing him to talk to other clubs until round 10.

Incredible.

Let’s get one thing straight: I don’t begrudge any player getting as much money as he can from this most brutal of sports.

I am a living example of how much the game can take from you, so you best make hay while the sun shines before the body screams for mercy.

But I’m also a big believer is a man’s word being his bond.

I used to shake hands with Bob Fulton at Manly when it came contract time and then got on with the job of winning footy games.

I probably could have made more elsewhere but I was only interested one thing – racking up premierships.

My teammates were the same.

Long before FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) was a term, we had it.

No one wanted to leave when you were on a good thing.

I know of players who did leave good clubs for the cash and almost every one of them regrets it.

It’s a joke. The whole contract system stinks.

You want blokes beside you who will bleed for cause, not go running to their player agents at the first sign of a few more dollars being dangled in front of them.

I realise Brown’s manager is operating in the best interests of his client on the back of an extremely generous clause, which the Eels somehow green-lighted.

I’m not sure why it was inserted in the first place, but I’d be extremely disappointed to see the Kiwi five-eighth exit after all the club has done for him.

They gave Brown his first crack at an NRL career and stood by him when he faced some serious off-field allegations on the back of serious injury.

He is on $900,000 a season – about nine times the wage of the average punter – and will collect seven figures from 2026 on a contract that runs until 2031.

Geez, that’s the kind of a deal that sets you up for life.

Still, it appears, it is not enough.

Newcastle is one of several clubs sniffing around after Brown’s management went to market to test interest levels in their client.

There’s talk of a $6m-plus deal for six years.

I feel for new Parramatta coach Jason Ryles.

Here he is about to embark on his NRL coaching career at a club that finished 15th last year and he has to put up with this crap from one of his best players.

I’d be tempted to show Brown the door but that only hand delivers him to a rival club.

It’s a joke. The whole contract system stinks.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

Of all the honours I achieved in rugby league, representing my country is right up there at the top.

As a kid, you dreamed of pulling on that famous green and gold jersey and tearing into the Poms or Kiwis.

I was fortunate enough to play in 12 Tests for Australia between 1990-97 and I cherish each and every one of those appearances.

The annual Kangaroos reunion – where you get to mingle with those who went before and after you - is one of my favourite days of the year.

So, when I hear players turning down the opportunity to play for their country, my rage meter switches immediately to 10.

And Kalyn Ponga, I’m looking right at you, buddy.

Last year you turned your back on the Kangaroos and made yourself unavailable for the Pacific Championships, saying your priority was the Newcastle Knights.

After the excrement hit the fan, you changed your tune and suddenly made yourself available.

Coach Mal Meninga did the right thing by brushing you anyway, but now we find you saddling up for the Māori side in this Saturday’s All-Stars match.

While I’ll support anyone representing their people and culture, if Ponga’s main focus is the Knights, why is he playing in this match?

That’s the question Newcastle – not to mention Meninga – must be asking themselves.

You don’t pick and choose your representative games.

You’re either all in or it’s p..s off for good.