In recent days, Paul Kent has been unrelenting in his criticism of the NRL. His dissatisfaction stems from the Parramatta Eels valuing Jarryd Hayne at $500K in a one year deal with the club. With platforms stretching across radio, television, the Internet and newsprint, this rugby league shock jock has enjoyed a sizeable base from which to launch his attacks.
And why wouldn’t he write about this subject?
The Parramatta club, along with Jarryd Hayne, attract a massive audience.
Indeed, when it comes to social media, Hayne alone has a following approaching a quarter of a million people. That’s a staggering number for a rugby league player.
If you “report” about either subject, you’re diving into a Clickbait pool of guaranteed depth. Whether the response is positive or negative matters little. If you’ve tapped into a market which generates extraordinary numbers of views, listens and reactions, you will undoubtedly drink repeatedly from that well.
And so it is with our multi-media friend.
Kent was merciless in his attacks on the Parramatta club during 2016. The architects of the salary cap scandal deserved his ire; the playing group and coaches should have received his praise for their battles against adversity.
This year, Kent’s target has been Jarryd Hayne. For a time line and overview of his Hayne commentary, you won’t find better than this post from The Sportress. In essence, our journo mate previously believed that “The Plane” was undeserving of his rich contract with a Titans club that should seriously consider releasing him.
So is it valid to devote so much attention to a player whose club contract has dropped from $800K to $500K? (That’s a $300K drop. His $400K TPA cannot be linked to the club.)
For most players, a contract worth half a million dollars would be deemed a substantial deal. Any other NRL player producing Hayne’s 2017 form would be lucky to be offered half of that.
The Hayne Plane Eels fans remember.
But we aren’t discussing any ordinary player. This is a two-time Dally M Medallist, so the form reference needs to be balanced. Every NRL fan knows what Jarryd Hayne is capable of producing. This is a player who can single-handedly turn the tide of a match. An elite athlete who literally carried an Eels team to the 2009 decider.
Yet, we’ve seen little evidence of this since 2014.
Is $500K a true market value?
Our angry journo critic argues that there can be no fair market value if the player doesn’t go to market. However, Hayne has accepted a price not too different from Kent’s own assessment of $600K, from a club that is his junior club, a club that he could never bring himself to play against. Surely the returning Eel has therefore placed a fair value on his own services?
Indeed, in this instance, Brad Arthur deserves praise for the recruitment and contract decisions which are leaving the Parramatta club with salary cap space.
Unlike the financially irresponsible Kieran Foran deal secured by Scott Seward, Parramatta’s contracts are now based on a player’s value to the team, not the top dollar they could earn elsewhere. It’s meant that the club has missed out on the signatures of sought after players during the past two years, but the reward is found in a balanced team now playing under a balanced cap.
Of greater concern should be the practice of clubs back ending player contracts.
This practice allows a club to assemble a powerful team of elite players, with many on escalating contracts. The inevitable result sees such clubs trying to offload the stars in the latter years of their deals. However, the club is banking on creating a premiership window, then taking care of cap problems at a later date.
Surely deals where star players take a cut in the early part of multi-year contracts, with a golden handshake final year, must wave massive red flags to the game’s governing body? Unlike emerging players, the elite shouldn’t be on such arrangements. Their contracts should vary little, and should only increase from a legitimate value base. The only purpose of back-ended contracts is to manipulate the salary cap.
Which now returns the debate to Jarryd Hayne’s contract.
This is a one year deal. It’s well above the money received by most NRL players and there’s no back-ending arrangement. If, as I believe, Hayne returns to elite player form, his value will increase.
Furthermore, with the potential for third party sponsors to jump on board a rejuvenated Eels star, and his own line of apparel, there’s plenty of legitimate long term gain for Hayne to make.
The reality is that right now a one year, $500K contract is both realistic and responsible. This is probably not sensational enough for Mr Kent- he wouldn’t get an extended series of feature comments from such analysis.
The future – that lies in the hands of Jarryd Hayne.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Nice work Sixties. Since the salary cap fiasco I have made a deliberate decision to stop buying the Telegraph, stop watching NRL 360 and I refuse to click on anything to do with the Tele’s website. The actions of their “Journalists” during this time was agenda driven, biased and embarrassing and Paul Kent is one of the worst.
His obvious dislike of Parramatta and Hayne is so obvious that if his employer had any ethics at all they would pull him into line but no, they encourage him.
They never say a word when Broncos and Storm players accept less to play there and they pick and choose when the rules should apply.
I can’t wait to hear Kent sooking like a baby when Jarryd is playing like a million dollar player mid way through the year🙏🙏
I’ve made that decision to also cease watching or listening to any program featuring Kent.
As an Eels fan, it was tough to accept where the club was at in 2016, and to face the criticism levelled at all levels of the club. Yet the balanced reporting from most of the media focussed on the failings of the individuals responsible for the debacle, whilst praising the performance of the team and the coaches. Paul Kent did not. He campaigned that the Eels were let off lightly and was unrelenting in his attacks. Losing players and 12 points meant that the Eels were only playing for pride. That was not enough for him.
I can almost predict how he will report on 2018.
I can’t ever recall reading a Paul Kent article with much fondness or praise. These days, I prefer to watch the footy and then consult the observations of you lot – those who write about the game with passion and intelligence, and who entirely avoid the puerile standards of all click-bait dross. Besides, I’m now into my third Thomas Pynchon novel in a row, and there’s no point turning back for the Kent’s of this world!
I must say, I envy the vast corpus of great literature that a sport like cricket has and wish that one day rugby league, too, can unearth its own… CLR James, for instance: he who coined the phrase, ‘What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?’
Achilles, I believe that journos should write in a way that communicates with the common man/woman – intelligent and honest.
This implies writing without bias and treating the audience with respect.
As I’ve included in this post, Kent is now more of a shock jock than a journalist. He’s paid for an opinion, not for writing balanced columns.
Every column, every NRL 360 is therefore an editorial. Facts that get in the way of his stance are re-interpreted, downplayed or just plain omitted.
It’s not news, it’s the opinion of one man, albeit with significant media presence. The best response for those of us tiring of his agendas is to not buy the paper, and to not tune into his programs.
Surely Paul Kent sees these posts. Not just off here but other sports sites.
Another great retort from Sixties. He not only questions Paul Kent’s ‘articles’, he gives thought provoking thinking and analysis of the situation. Backs his words and not just says Kent’s articles are rubbish and doesn’t back it up.
There really isn’t a journo out there that has the players respect. I myself been dudded by a top league scribe. And also have had a mates reputation tarnished by a so-called top league journo.
Journalist’s these days are just muckrakers. It’s great to see people questioning journalists work. It’s funny that these journos think because they have so many platforms to work on, they have a wider reach. But others have the same platforms to question them.
Wasn’t like that back in the day when there was no social media, internet etc. The paper, radio and tv were the only places you could get news and there was no forms of rebuttal.
So again well done Sixties. I am pretty sure no newspapers will be asking you to join them as you report truth. And let’s face it, truth doesn’t sell.
Thanks Colmac.
We all take issue with journos from time to time. Maybe they tell us something we don’t want to hear. Maybe we see manipulation of facts. Maybe some people or events are misreported. But we also have great investigative journos who dig for the truth, who report on what they actually see or supply dedicated fans with genuine news that advances the game.
When a journalist such as Kent focuses so much time on discrediting a certain player or a club, based on his opinion rather than fact, and does so relentlessly merely to drive his agenda, I believe that you have a misuse of power.
A lovely piece of writing Sixties. I think the thing to always remember is that every commercial media organisation creates output that is logically agenda driven. Whether it be money or market share or whatever…in the case of Paul Kent I think it exactly as you have said…easy market share and therefore apparent relevance. A guy on One Eyed stated he thought he (PK) had an agenda that was very very pro Manly and most things come from this…interesting.
As an afterthought, if PK wrote the article I read, he is a genuinely average writer. Terrible sentence structure, cohesion and use of connectives..but that is just the teacher in me 😉
Thanks Walpy.
It’s almost like being a “heel” in professional wrestling. The subjects of his opinions are popular identities, so be the bad guy attacking them and the attention follows. But it’s impossible to ignore the bias evident via the manipulation of facts.
There are editors, who are happy with his standards!
Great stuff 60’s, well put together peice mate. Look forward to catching up down at the saleyards in the new year and having yarn.
Cheers JJ. See you soon mate.
I have long spoken about the back ended deals instigated by the likes of Des Hassler and others. The clubs get away with paying unders for players and compile a better team than they should be able to afford. Then when the window of success starts to close, and these good players are past their best but now due the heavy end of their payments, the clubs look to off load them. This may seem fine, however they ultimately never pay the full amount of the agreed contact as the new club invariably pays a chunk of what is owing. This to me is a form of cheating because, I believe, this is a planned strategy. Deferring the upper end payments until later to get immediate gain, then never actually having to pay. It should be stopped.
Oh, and Sixties, I’ve said it before you’ll never get a job with the DT if you keep writing sound, supported sense like that.
Thanks Fletch. There are coaches who have built reputations on the basis of assembling squads in this manner. It’s like TPAs. The playing fields are not equal when some clubs are able to enjoy such advantages.
Basically i think theres 2 agendas to paul kents vitriol , 1 his failure as an nrl qualty player which he blames on parramatta not “himself” , actually that blame on parra is pointless anyway,the people he holds accountable have moved on but not paul , 2 and this is the real one its all manly driven in my opinion same as the lurker !
It’s interesting that in his recent column, Kent referenced the Sea Eagles, and that they would have paid market value for a player like Hayne. It’s also insulting that he quoted the Roosters as being a club that had to pay market value for a player.
Issues are never addressed properly by this vindictive journalist.
Sims goes from a contract of $450k at the Knights to play for the Broncos for $85k in the Qld Cup( apparently) but plays every game in the NRL – not mentioned
James Roberts gets out of a contract north of $500k at the Titans to play for the Broncos and Uncle Wayne for a reported $300k, nothing from Kent
Tedesco turns down an offer in excess of $1 million at the Tigers to sign at the Roosters for $700k, for the so called privilege of playing for Trent Robinson
Not to mention Milford and the substantial discount to play again for the Broncos.
Many more such discounts, but why bother reporting them when th clubs involved have little media following in Sydney
So frustrating that Kent is allowed an audience with such an agenda,,like many the Telegraph and NRL 360 are no longer on my list
Don’t forget David Mead leaving the Titans for peanuts at the Broncos after a big year at fullback.
Too true Chris.
Derek, I’m sure you agree that if we truly wanted to do so, we could have an endless list of anomalous market values that Kent does t bother reporting. The contract that Foran signed with the Warriors was significantly less than the one he was on at the Eels, but this was acceptable to Kent.
Double standards me thinks.
Since last years salary cap issues, I have not listened to talkin sport, Ray Hadley . I have not watched NRL 360 or even looked at the daily Telegraph. Thank you sixties for another excellent, honest report. Oh and if Foxtel didn’t have the NRL I would have unsubscribed
Thanks June. The more that people choose to adopt a similar strategy to yours, the more likely that our dissatisfaction will be noticed.
Good call 60’s the only problem is that it makes sense, and is at poles apart from the journo, whom I will not write his name.
I said elsewhere that this fellow is a sleaze, don’t like saying that for any human being but, he along with some other journo’s and so called expert professional sports commentators are only in that league or status in their own minds, as such I refuse to read anything he and a couple of others write. No different to some ex players who appear on the TV as Legends of league, doesn’t take much to be deemed legends these days or so it seems.
Thing to me is that the constant barrage of this type which is, not so much wrong but its also false, and for me I believe that the NRL and even the eels should take offence at the two articles and claim damages, and even Jaryd could do the same as his name is being slurred with untruths.
Thanks Colin. I understand where you’re coming from. The first draft of this actually omitted Paul Kent’s name. Then, when reviewing it, I realised that it was silly of me to not name the person that I took issue with.
I think that the implications of his commentary on NRL360 verged on being libellous. But that’s up to the NRL or the Eels to decide.
I have nothing but admiration for the way that Jarryd has handled all the attention that Paul Kent has shown him. When Jarryd could no longer hold his tongue and he came out and said something that indicated Paul Kent’s information was maybe from conversations he had with Neil Henry I think that sent Kent off on a real vendetta path. Up until then Kent had not been publicly criticised by a player (as far as I am aware).
Parramatta’ large fan base are thoroughly sick of Paul Kent and I believe it is totally unfair and unacceptable to “ride” Jarryd the way he has. There are factors that Kent has failed to address including: Was Jarryd the only underperforming Titan this season? What percentage of Jarryd’s contract value at the Titans was boosted by his perceived marketability off field? Are we the fans considered stupid enough to believe that coaching staff were hired because of their relationship with Jarryd? I could go on, but let’s hope Jarryd has a great 2018 and NRL360 suffers a rating slump!
I think the fact Jarryd is i Isreal right now away from all the shit. That be said I know hed be reading it. He doesnt need to say anything all he needs to do is prove that Kent wrong.
True Hawko. The future is in Jarryd’s hands.
Well said Lady Eel. I wonder how impressed the Titans were when they read that their coaching/staff appointments were made due to the idiosyncrasies of one player. It’s somewhat insulting for the club and those hired I would think.
Well written sixties. I try to ignore those that speak only knowing half the facts or worse than that, knowing the facts but apparently misrepresenting them. Like June above, I have tuned out from most commentators but I do love watching Outsiders on a Sunday morning. The truth stimulates the strong and intimidates the weak. Plenty gaining strength from your article sixties. Go Jarryd.
Cheers PT. it’s not as if Kent would have to dig hard to find the facts. In questioning the reduced value of Hayne’s contract he literally contradicted his earlier opinions about Hayne’s value. But in returning to the Eels, was no longer the player nobody wanted. According to Kent, Manly would have loved the opportunity to bid for his services. An each way bet?
Few facts re jarryd , 2012 played 12 games ,2013 played 15 games , under BA 2014 played 20 games ,under BA 2014 jarryd scored his most trys in an nrl season 20 trys, he as we all know won 2nd dally m and a soo for daley. He left with brads blessing and would have come back but i believe but the nrl and beavis railroaded him to prop up the titans saleability ,one thing he promised was he wouldnt play against parra and he kept his word , welcome home jarryd !!
Anonymous, the track record with the Eels is there. So for the club, it’s an investment based on his history and desire to play in an Eels jersey and his desire to again be coached by BA.
His form at the Titans probably warranted less than 500K. His track record with Eels warranted more. Considering 2014 is a long time ago, it’s a more than fair deal for the player. And if we get the Hayne we all remember, the club will be happy too.
Talking of back ended contracts I read recently ( maybe the DT) that Cronk signed for 2018 on $500K therefore must be on a back ended deal for 2019 at $1.5Mil.
No mention of this by Kent. At one point he mentioned Jarryd would be a good fit for the Roosters
Also he reckons that Jarryd should have went to market. Not until there is a draft
I hadn’t heard that about Cronk. If true, they’re probably banking on an immediate return on investment in 2018.
Well done Sixties, an objective, balanced viewpoint and factual, not like the dribble coming from Kent.
I think us Eels fans will see Hayne show his real talents next season, he’s playing for the team where his heart lies. I’m salivating at the prospect…
Thanks Kevin. He’s where he wants to be. Motivation and desire will be powerful allies in his return to the club.
After reading this blog I feel better about my thoughts. I thought i was the one with the issues about PK writing. All of the above comments have hit the nail on the head. It’s called consistency and that’s something PK has asked about the NRL. His writing lacks this and shows many flaws let alone huge bias from particular friends at club land (Manly for sure) and more. The e.g. of players getting unders for other nrl clubs will not be mentioned by him. We know this.
He lacks courage to come out and fight this and instead has his allies on tv / media and club land.
It’s v sad that he is still allowed to dribble these issues about our great club. Imagine for a minute if it were Melbourne (out of town so no wont happen), Brisbane ( see previous statement) or maybe Manly / Easts…..again nothing.
Parra will ignore this guy and just play well. Enough said.
Cheers Mitchy. I literally fought with my own thoughts in writing this. I chose to base an article on Kent’s misrepresentation of the facts, even of his own contradictory opinion. Yet I am advocating that people ignore his opinions or simply tune out from his programs. Was I not adding to his own discussion?
But to emphasise my stance, an examination of his methods was essential.
In my conscience, I was damned if I did and damned if I didn’t. I chose to act.
In doing so, I hope that I’ve helped to provide a platform for others to express their opinion.
Well said everyone.
The problem with Paul Kent is not that he has an opinion but that he continually states that he is telling facts and is not agenda driven. At least with Buzz we know he supports Cronulla and loves Foran, he does not hide it. Kent on the other hand is a snake. The casual listener, reader or viewer will not know his agenda and will take him at his word. Last monday the casual viewer would have thought after Kent’s rant that Parra are cheating again. It is not okay and should not be left at that.
Kent even poorly attempted at first to be ‘ factual’ and ‘unbiased’ last Monday by stating let’s take Jarryd out of it and call him player X. Now maybe he could have maintained a neutrality if he was not talking about Jarryd or Parra but you could see his hatred boil over and player X very quickly became Jarryd again. I thought he was going to hyperventilate and explode.
I must admit I was laughing at first because he looked like a fool and his bias was so transperant but my laughing stopped the moment he stated and then restated many times it is a salary cap rort. I got angry then as this was such a hard time for us as fans, players and coaches how dare he say that. We have worked so hard to rebound from that.
So I wrote to foxtel as did all my extended family, who all have foxtel and are Parra supporters mostly ( 8 households) and told them we would not be watching anything with Kent on it until he is either fired ( not going to happen) or issues an on air apology for suggesting we are rorting the cap. I also told them I will email them or ring each week asking why no apology has been given.
I know nothing will probably come from it, as I have not yet even got a reply from Foxtel even though I know it has been read as I put a read receipt on the email, but at least we know as a family and fans we have had our say.
Eventually if enough people stopped watching/ reading the market forces will make Foxtel/ Telegraph do something about it- that is Mr Kent’s inability to report without an agenda, an agenda that is poorly hidden, i.e Ricky’s cheerleader, Politis’s bestie and Bozo’s side kick.
On a side note any doubts I had about Jarryd I have thrown away. I will be cheering so loudly for him. I want him and Parra to do well and then sit back and watch Kent as he gets angrier and angrier.
Go Jarryd, Go Parra, Win! The Telegraph and Fox will then want to jump on the bandwagon. Kent will hate it, it will be written all over his face and that will make it oh so much more sweeter.
Congratulations to you and your family for your actions Shelley.
It’s only by doing something, be t writing as you did and/or switching off that the message is heard.
I too, would not have cared about his dissenting opinion had it not included such repeated vindictiveness and the the claims about a stench surrounding the signing.
Dangerous waters for him.
All of this Hayne bashing is hopefully the prelude to a great redemption story along the lines of Rocky III.
Go The Plane. Go Parra!
I have no doubt that we will see a rejuvenated Hayne.
Well written and thought out article.
As a lifelong Parra tragic, I too have no time for the Paul Kents of the Sports media world there are far too many so called journalists, hacks in my opinion, who get away with causing irreparable damage to a clubs or an individuals reputation all for a headline.
Paul Kent has a vendetta against the Eels and this is widely known among us Eels fans, but my concern lies with the Rugby League fans who don’t know this and will believe that there may be something sinister going on at the Eels in regards to salary cap rorting.
Paul Kent should be held accountable for his biased and vindictive reporting, whether that be just for the Eels or any other club or player.
Well said Tony M. his comments did draw a veiled are they “at it again” thought for the punter when he said “remember this club was only last year fined for salary cap rorting”.
That was a damaging comment in my view
Agreed Tony. To actually say that there was a stench and to link past indiscretions is surely verging on libellous.
I don’t expect a retraction.
Neither do I Sixties.
But if Kent keeps up with this line, then perhaps the Eels should look at legal options.
I hope they consider it Tony.
Don’t forget big Sam “my post game career is sorted in news limited media” Thaiday sacrificing $500,000 to stay at the broncos…
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2017-sam-thaidays-sacrifices-to-stay-at-red-hill-as-broncos-6-million-retention-battle-looms/news-story/ac7bcbac72d26a67bc286e8c200c3050
Good pick up Mapik. Thanks for the link mate.
Hear hear Sixties. Brilliant.
Thanks mate.
The irony of it all is that the best thing we can hope for is a “I told you so” article from Kent in 12 months because that would mean that the Hayne Plane has rediscovered his best form and playing like a $1 million player.
Nice read sixties I agree 100%, to be honest I didn’t mind Kenty years back but I think the increased media exposure has sadly got to his ego and he doesn’t even try to mask his agenda’s.
I would like to see an article or two on how the hell the NRL approved Matt Lodge’s contract, that’s a real issue. Let’s see Kenty tell us he rang the NRL about that issue.
Jimmy, your middle paragraph is the very thing that I was referring to when I mentioned the so called experts, who makes them experts?
I answered myself when I made the point they make the call themselves and the more they are seen on and heard on the box and papers the more they promote themselves through that exposure.
Same as players who are called legends, who made them that way, themselves or the media kings that they also work for?
Bang on the money Colin, we are definitely on the same page.
Colin, the various platforms – social media, mainstream media etc has changed the landscape. Back in 60s and 70s we had newsprint, match coverage on radio and a single match covered on tv.
Thrown in a rugby league panel segment on 7 and 9 on a Sunday, with a few ex-players and a couple of journos getting a gig, and that was it.
We now have a dedicated NRL channel, every match covered on tv, hours of radio programs dedicated to the game, digital platforms, official and unofficial websites, newspapers with specialised on line coverage.
The opportunities for media careers around the game are in another dimension now. If you had a career in the game, you might be referred to as a legend or ex-star. Journos have greater exposure than ever before. It’s a brave new world mate.
Yes Brave, but Brilliant or dull as in dorks?
Interesting reply Jimmy. I’ve spoken to a few people today who expressed similar sentiments. “Used to like Kent but his ego seems out of control” – well he is a multi-media star!
And if you don’t think so, just ask him…..LOL
True.
Has anyone ever stopped to think of a conspiracy theory on the Hayne player movement? In 2014 he was highest paid player, Brad took over and found out they were in dire straights regarding the cap and it best he chase the dream which Jarryd advised he initially wanted to do at the end of his contract.
By finishing his contract 1 year out that meant the cost of the final year would be tacked onto the fine that was dealt at the club. in 2016 when he returned he was a free agent and the NRL owned Titans wanted to boost the Brand on the Gold Coast so essentially cock blcoked Parra from getting him back.
Jarryd then Played like rubbish for the time he was there (Remember he was injured a few times) enough that it not only turned the club against him but majority of the fans, but all he wanted to do was come home to the eels, and by doing what he did he also was able to bring his price down to assist Brad in his Salary cap to be able to still have money left to spend.
Another thing to point out is that in the time he was at the Titans…. He never played a single game against Parramatta….
Just a theory
Been said ,item 15 mate
Doubt we’ll ever know exactly but it’s in the past now. In the present we have a motivated Jarryd who just wants to be back home.