Isaac
Years ago
NBL rule stops Hawks from signing Rigby
A new NBL rule that clubs have to sign at least one Australian-born player aged 18-22 is stopping the Wollongong Hawks from signing Cam Rigby (ex-Razorbacks).
Wollongong coach Eric Cooks said the new rule had not been well received by teams.Now, this rule can be met by an 11th man, but they still have to be paid the NBL minimum and the Hawks don't reckon they can cover that, Rigby and an import to come.
"The coaches and people I've spoken to are not too happy about it and I'm not sure if the league has thought it through properly," Cooks said.
"I'm not sure if maybe they'll show some leniency or flexibility with it, but it's certainly a situation which could ruin our chances of signing Cam."
They've got a lot of guys aged 23-25 that fall just outside the ruling.
Have to wonder if they shouldn't have thought of this before, or just find someone cheaper than Rigby?
Still, bit tough on a club that has one leg in the grave.