‘I won’t play for free’: Gold Coast league MVP Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish’s brave admission

Reigning Gold Coast Rugby League A Grade player of the year opens up on his thoughts on 2020 season.

REIGNING Gold Coast Rugby League A Grade player of the year Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish said many players would be left disappointed by a league decision to scuttle the 2020 season.

The Runaway Bay hooker, whose club has prominently advocated against a return in recent weeks, said he would stand by his club’s decision though his personal preference would have been to take the field.

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Players from across the competition echo his thoughts, the 24-year-old said, though he was aware of others who held a different stance.

The variety in reactions is testament to the divisive nature of any decision on cancellation but many will shelve their personal reactions to tow the party line.

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“I’ll support whatever the club decides but I was really excited for the competition to start up because I love football and others do too,” the Seagulls hooker said.

Rugby League Gold Coast elimination semi final - Tugun vs. Runaway Bay. Photo of Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish

“The season is that far gone that I know a lot of people don’t mind it not going forward.

“It depends on each club’s circumstances but I’d have loved to see the game get going.

“I’ve spoken to a few of the boys and they all wanted the season to start back up, but I think some people were happy it wasn’t.”

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A range of issues sit at the forefront of players minds, including their ability to prepare physically and the possibility of losing the playing salaries that made competing at this level worth it.

“We were told the first two weeks back we weren’t allowed to do any contact training, so we’d have gone straight in without having a chance to get ourselves physically ready,” Wedderburn-Parrish said.

“I haven’t spoken to many players about payment but I spoke to my club and gave them my opinion.

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“If you’d asked me a few years ago I’d have come back without pay but now I’m at the stage where work is important and the difference is if I’m out of work you need the money to play.

“It would be a tough decision to make because that security isn’t there.”

As Burleigh, Tugun and Southport investigate options outside of the Gold Coast competition, Wedderburn-Parrish said players interested in lacing up the boots would be attracted to join those active clubs on short-term deals.

“Of course I’d love to do that but my loyalty is to Runaway Bay,” he said.

“I’d love to get some football under my belt, I don’t want to wait until next season.

“You’d have a handful of guys who would like to play for other teams for the love of football but I think more would choose not to play elsewhere.”