Bulldogs star David Klemmer may swear off player agents for the rest of his career

DAVID Klemmer has declared he is considering seeing out his NRL career without a player agent because of the stress caused over his contract wrangle.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 12: David Klemmer of the Bulldogs watches on during the warm-up before the round 14 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on June 12, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

NSW Origin prop David Klemmer has declared he is considering seeing out his NRL career without a player agent because of the stress caused over his contract wrangle.

Reaffirming his stance that he will remain at Canterbury until 2020, Klemmer said his recent contractual issues were related to splitting from his manager David Riolo — not the club.

“There’s no concerns (that I won’t see out my contract),’’ Klemmer said.

“I’m looking forward to this year and the next four years in my contract.

“It’s a business and obviously there’s a bit of conflict, back and forth with negotiations with my management.

Klemmer has denied he asked the Bulldogs for a release.

“That stuff has been lingering for a couple of months, so it’s been a bit frustrating.

“But (Bulldogs club chairman) Ray Dib has been enormous, he’s helped me out. He’s been fantastic.’’

The Saturday Telegraph has learned it was Klemmer, 23, who alongside his father-in-law personally negotiated his most recent four-year deal with the Bulldogs, which he signed last May.

Klemmer said he felt reports suggesting his issues with Riolo were related to which boot sponsor he was aligned with wouldn’t surface if he didn’t have an agent.

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“People publish things which I wouldn’t have to worry about if I didn’t have a manager,’’ Klemmer said.

“People probably take advantage of that. I haven’t got a manager, so I’ve got to learn to deal with that.’’

Asked if he would consider playing on without an agent, Klemmer said: “Definitly I’ve got to think about that. I’ll think about it in the future.’’

Despite increasing talk within the game that several leading agents are about to be banished as a result of last year’s Parramatta salary cap scandal, Klemmer said the possibility of navigating through the remainder of his NRL career without an agent would be a decision which he would never force upon to teammates or other players.

If he were to become a free agent, Klemmer would become one of the most coveted forwards.

“That’s someone’s life, that’s someone’s future and if someone did (need advice), I’d more than help them,’’ Klemmer said.

“But I’m not going to show someone something that may not work for them and stuff them up in their lives.’’

One of the major lures for Klemmer to remain at Belmore is the arrival of close friend and NSW fellow front-rower Aaron Woods from the Wests Tigers next season.

Klemmer was undeniably influential in the Dogs attracting the signature of Woods.

“Things are looking up (at Canterbury),’’ Klemmer said.

“I can’t wait to play with the big guy (Woods), he’s a class player and we just work of each other, which will be exciting.’’

Originally published as Bulldogs star David Klemmer may swear off player agents for the rest of his career