IZZY DODGES POST-SEASON BULLET
THE SOUTHPORT Tigers may have just been spared an awkward end-of-season realisation by Israel Folau’s contract resolution with former club Catalans.
Folau, 32, is set to finally get his wish and return to rugby league with Southport in the Rugby League Gold Coast competition next weekend after striking a deal with his former French club.
With that contractual hurdle over with it appears likely that Folau’s ongoing Supreme Court battle with the QRL will come to an end – which is great news for both he and Southport in more ways that one.
The cross-code international’s original June 11 Supreme Court hearing was postponed until July 12 after lawyers for both Folau and the QRL agreed they were not ready to proceed with the injunction.
That meant the earliest Folau could play for Southport, had he won the court battle with the QRL, would be Round 10, on the weekend of July 17-18.
But with the Tigers on the bye that weekend, Folau’s first start would come the following weekend, just four rounds out from finals – and that’s the kicker.
The RLGC finals qualification ruling stands that a player must play a minimum of five regular season games in 2021 to be eligible to play finals.
Even if the Tigers won their way into finals, Folau’s four games would not meet the hurdle to play and he would have been forced to sit out the post-season action.
Perhaps someone at Southport or within Folau’s camp came to the same realisation, hence the backflip stance with Catalans.
Either way it’s good news for the Tigers – if they make it.