Jarome Luai's absence from the Wests Tigers' end-of-season awards has triggered criticism from several former players and NRL commentators.
The Tigers said Luai was in Samoa promoting his nation's Rugby League World Cup campaign, but Steve Roach argued the co-captain should have attended.
"Whatever happened to team first?" Roach said on NRL 360, recalling Luai's criticism of Lachie Galvin after Galvin joined the Bulldogs.
Roach said he was "bitterly disappointed" and would have imposed a heavy fine, noting the Tigers are paying Luai about $500,000 next season at Parramatta.
Luai exercised a release clause in his five-year, $1.2 million-per-season contract to join the PNG Chiefs in 2028.
The Tigers subsequently agreed to release him to Parramatta for next season before that move.
Benny Elias said the absence added to a "chequered" Tigers stint, while Joel Caine called it a "bad look".
Bryan Fletcher questioned why Luai's Samoan meeting could not have been delayed.
Braith Anasta said the event was Luai's final opportunity to show respect and appreciation for a club that had given him "a lot of stuff".