NRL CEO Todd Greenberg says Valentine Holmes’ decision to chase NFL dream a ‘significant risk’

Todd Greenberg won’t stand in the way of Valentine Holmes’ NFL dream — but neither will he hide his opinion that the decision represents a huge gamble for the want-away star.

Greenberg knows what’s on the line for Holmes. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

• It’s official — Sharks release Holmes
• Contenders to step up at Cronulla
• Buzz: One factor in Holmes’ favour

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg says he doesn’t fear a player exodus to rival sports and believes Valentine Holmes is taking a major gamble by trying his luck in the NFL.

Greenberg’s appearance in Brisbane for Tuesday’s historic Magic Round announcement was hijacked by a Cronulla Sharks statement confirming Holmes would be quitting the NRL immediately to chase his American dream.

Greenberg knows what’s on the line for Holmes. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Holmes is the third rugby league player in three years to eye off an NFL contract.

Former Dally M golden boy Jarryd Hayne played eight games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, blazing a trail that saw former South Sydney under-20s rookie Jordan Mailata clinch a deal with Philadelphia this year.

Now Holmes is ready to embark on his American odyssey via the NFL’s International Pathway Program. At this stage, the Queensland Origin star has no formal NFL offers and while saddened by Holmes’ decision, Greenberg admits the tryscoring machine faces an uphill battle.

The game won’t stop Holmes trying his luck. (Brett Costello)

“It’s not easy and it comes with great risk,” Greenberg said of Holmes’ bid to make the NFL.

“I’m a little disappointed that we are losing one of our better players, but in saying that I’m not going to begrudge a player who is chasing an ambition on the NFL stage.

“Over the years we have seen the occasional player try his hand at a different sport, whether it be NFL or others, and what we have seen in that history is players come back pretty quickly.

“I am not concerned about losing our players to other sports.

“It’s a big risk for a young player in our game who gets paid significantly to try his hand at a new sport. I won’t stand in the way of someone to chase their dreams, quite often they have come back to the NRL in a short space of time, but we wish Valentine well.”

Sharks teammate Wade Graham admits the entire Cronulla squad was blindsided by Holmes’ decision.

“In an ideal world, he said he would have loved to have had a chat with the boys but he hasn’t been at training, he was on leave, so the circumstances didn’t work out for him,” Graham said.

“He has since reached out to us. It’s bittersweet I suppose.

“Val has been at our club a long time, we watched him come through the under-20s into the superstar he is.

“He is such a key to our success, but this a great opportunity for him to have a crack at the biggest sporting code in the world in the US.

You can’t blame a bloke for trying. (Instagram)

“It’s hard for me to comment on if he can make it, I don’t know enough about the game and enough about what position he wants to play.

“When Australians go to the Olympics, they have the ability to compete with the rest of the world.

“Physically, I have no doubt he can match it but the biggest question mark is how he adapts to the game and learns the game and if he can reach the necessary level to make the NFL.

“As a friend and teammate who has worked with him day in and day out, I wish him all the best. It’s a massive challenge but it will be exciting for him.”

Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. SIGN UP TODAY!

Originally published as NRL CEO Todd Greenberg says Valentine Holmes’ decision to chase NFL dream a ‘significant risk’