There may not be any official contract pact at this World Cup, but Kangaroos players have done well to put their future plans on the backburner until after the tournament to ensure their focus in on lifting the trophy this weekend.
The November 1 deadline has come and gone, but the predicted signing frenzy has yet to eventuate despite several high-profile stars being free to negotiate with rival clubs.
Sam Walker’s future at the Roosters has been the big talking point after his spectacular contract collapse, but it’s been fairly quiet for guys like Harry Grant, Jack Bostock, Bradman Best and others.
The players have all been asked about it and have addressed it maturely, but there’s every chance fans will have to wait at least another week for any major signing news.
“I think it’s become a big deal because there’s a lot of attention around it, but for us, our attention is on the World Cup,” Grant said.
“Across the board, I know you don’t want to miss these opportunities because they don’t come around too often.
“So you’re trying to eliminate distractions and really lock in to what’s most important now. And for us, what’s most important now is the World Cup.
“I think everyone’s professional enough to do that. I think clubs have been respectful enough to understand that and allow that.
“There’ll be times to have those more mature conversations in the coming weeks.”
Bostock has repeatedly been linked with a move to the Dragons in 2028, but the Kangaroos rookie’s focus has solely been on the green and gold jersey.
“Not as a team we didn’t (make a pact) but I feel like everyone knows deep down where your concentration has to lie when you’re in a World Cup,” the Dolphins star said.
“So I feel like everyone just had that same mindset that they wanted to be present in the World Cup and focus on winning that before contracts come.
“There’s obviously the big build-up to November 1, but it’s probably fallen at a bad time this year being the World Cup.
“So I’m sure a lot of the fans and the journos are waiting to see some stories and write some stories, but it’s probably going to be all after the World Cup.
“But definitely no pact from our group. Everyone’s professional in here and everyone is an adult, so they know how to deal with their own stuff.”
The players have also been able to joke about what’s going on given the fierce focus from fans and the media.
Bostock copped it at Kogarah last Tuesday when the rest of the squad formed a tunnel and invited him to lead them onto what could be one of his home grounds if he signs with the Red V.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” he said.
“I had gone to the toilet and then walked out and saw all the boys were lined up and started clapping me and made me run on. It’s just a bit of banter.
“I’m sure all the journos have been loving it. They’ve been putting it out everywhere on Instagram and Facebook this week, but there’s been nothing done with my contract status and I’ve made that pretty clear.
“It’s a little bit of fun for the boys, they all thought it was funny, so it was a good laugh.”
Originally published as ‘Eliminate distractions’: Harry Grant explains Kangaroos silence amid November 1 contract frenzy