Agree with first bit but not the second if he's not happy or committed to the cause then he should be allowed to leave.If he's force to stay will Leeds get the best out of him, I doubt it.
Reading earlier reports when he first signed it was fairly clear he only came over for the money,so the decreased value of the pound plus his injury woe certainly won't have help the situation.

If he wants to go, how could the club make him stay?

I'm not sure they could - or should be seen to - enforce his contract if he returned to Australia. the only reason to play hard ball would be nothing to do with Eastwood and all about getting some compensation from whichever NRL side wanted him. Given the likely relatively small scale of that compensation and the resultant impact on Leeds' image Down Under, I can't see that happening.

If the rumours are even half true then I suspect he'll leave at the end of the year. If he asked to be released during the season then I'm glad Leeds didn't let him go. The end of the year is a different matter unless we can't get a suitable replacement.

The difficulty is the longer we leave it the more difficult it will be to get a suitable replacement.
I wonder if Heighington fancies coming over?

I'd be surprised if the Tigers were willing to release him mate he and Ellis are the "Engines"
in their engine room.

They couldn't but they could prevent him playing elsewhere during the duration of his contract. or make life very difficult for him.

He is going back home, you nearly had Andrew Ryan as a replacement but he decided to stay in oz

But I presume he would then count on the salary cap, which may not be in the clubs interests. If the rumours are true, I can't see him leaving till the end of the season, (he's injured anyway so why would he leave) but the wheels may already be in motion to line up a replacement if he leaves "by mutual consent"

Meh,

Would yuo all be this understanding if, say, Sinfield, wanted to walk out mid contract and play for Wigan because it's closer to home?

Unfortunately yes or at least I would, once all reasonable steps have been taken to mediate with the player. If the player wants out of the club then ultimately that is what is most likely to happen (unless the player has a change of heart or can be persuaded to stay.) I'd nominate McDermott to take the Kissanger role.

If that fails then the contract would be used to determine the neccessary level of compensation required.

The club moves on, it has to.

If Gregs unhappy then the club should not and im sure won't stand in his way of returning home. It will be very disappointing for the fans but I can fully understand if he does go. Coming over here at 22 was a huge move for him...

Bless him.

I see it as slightly different a player returning to Aus and a player going to another SL side. Many SL clubs (including Leeds I'm sure) take players already contracted to NRL sides, the NRL clubs seem to allow these players to go off earn their wad despite being contracted. we could therefore release one and get a replacement (note I said i'd expect the club to be working on this).

It would be difficult to release a player to another SL club (ie a direct competitor) unless some sort of compromise acceptable to both clubs is reached or it was in the interest of Leeds to release the player.

I agree with tvoc if all efforts to convince him to stay have failed then it's pointless imo to try and keep him.

Would rather promote from within than sign Ryan and i'm sure he turned Salford down not sure we even made an offer!

Indeed - it was a huge move for his bank balance more like...

Still, if he goes back to the NRL on a lower contract it might keep him out of the pie shops as much.

You want him to clandestinely carpet-bomb Sydney?

Well that would be one way of us winning a test series v the aussies.

Aye, all the best Australian talent is in New South Wales these days, just look at Origin..

Once upon a time NSW would have their s handed to them on a plate in Origin and still make up the bulk of the Australian Test side. Unfortunately those days are gone. Not that Britain could spot the difference either way.

Where`s my PM then NSF?

Rumour has it there have been issues surrounding his girlfriend's ex and the custody arrangements of the children - so she can't come here so if he wants to be with her he has to return to Aus.

The other end of the Pennines is a bit different to the other end of the world. Having said that, I understand where you're coming from, and I agreed with your post regarding tough love the other day. It wasn't as if he was made to sign the contract in the first place. Any contract should be honoured, imo.

Although due to Origin bias in the early 80's I remember that Peter Sterling spent many years without a test cap at home, he only got selected on tours for quite some time. Murray was selected ahead of Sterling far too often in home tests, much in the same way Deryck Fox seemed to play for GB while the likes of Andy Gregory watched from the terraces.

From the bar surely?