The rumoured move of Michael Jennings to Parramatta is perhaps one of the strongest pieces of “mail” going around this pre-season.
From our perspective here at TCT, two facts are noteworthy.
Firstly, Parramatta have not made any comment on the matter. This is a major step forward in the Eels’ recruitment. There is nothing that needs to be said. If negotiations are taking place, and it’s reasonable to assume that they are, the only people that need to be concerned are the club, the player and his manager. The only thing that the fans and the media can input is confusion. The best thing that the club can do is to keep quiet.
The second point of interest is the public statement from the Roosters. This relates to the first point. There should be no need for the club to say anything. It should be business as usual. The fact that this is being played out in the media only serves to confuse the issue. Perhaps this is the intent of the Roosters.
What can we speculate?
The potential move of Jennings to the Eels is not a move in isolation. If Jennings is moved on from the Roosters, it will be linked to the “centre merry-go-round” that has coloured the landscape of the current off-season. As such, the latest centre move was Roberts to the Broncos and Copley to elsewhere. That elsewhere could be located around Bondi Junction.
What does this mean?
The most obvious repercussion of the move of Copley to Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs will be the impact upon the Roosters’ and the Broncos’ salary caps. Will Brisbane have to carry a large proportion of Copley’s contract? Even if the Roosters negotiate a suitable contract for Copley, it will still create cap pressure for the tri-colours. Such salary cap pressure is easily solved by moving Jennings, but who could afford his rumoured $700k salary? Certainly not the Eels and very few clubs could now afford any decent salary for a representative centre.
Therefore, for Jennings to move to Parramatta or any other club, the Roosters would have to be certain that the Jennings contract could be taken over by another club for a figure that provides them with cap space for Copley and probably a little bit of wiggle room. A contract in the vicinity of $400K to $500K would probably be a reasonable compromise.
My Opinion
Should we do our media part and add to the confusion? There are so many factors at play, including the decisions of 3 clubs, the 2 players and their managers. If one domino falls in this saga, the others will follow and the Eels are a big part of it. Perhaps Parra may even turn out to be the main beneficiary.
Truthfully, it’s a 50/50 call but I’ll go out on a limb and say that I consider the move of Jennings to Parra as being more likely than not. Should it transpire, the merry-go-round will then continue for at least one more revolution. Enjoy the ride!
Sixties
I am split over this move, that is if it happens. Jennings in his heyday was a top class player, a game changer/breaker & winner, yet it was also filled in with a few lesser moments both on field with a look of disinterest at times, worse still was his off field indiscretions, the later is what I am most concerned about.
If the Heyday Jennings turns up & provides value, wonderful, but the club & whoever is negotiating fhe contracts & deals needs to be very careful indeed. At his top, he will provide us with a backline that will be at least equal to any in the NRL, combined with a forward pack that can also match it with the best.
Still there is the money issue to deal with.
Colin, Jennings would be an asset. I don’t believe that his recruitment is essential, but if it comes off it must be seen as a good outcome.
Money? That is the determining factor for all 3 clubs in these negotiations. It would seem that we know where the players want to be, but everyone needs to agree on prices.
I’m sure I read that the Broncos had stated that if they can move Copley on then they’ll create some cap space even with the signing of Roberts! It just beggars belief that that could be the case unless Copley’s contract had little by way of third parties and Roberts’ is heavily skewed that way, which is another example of how flawed the cap is in relation to third party agreements.
Would I like to see a class centre like Jennings in eels colours, for sure and at what cost in terms of player movements I’m happy to leave that with those entrusted by the club to make those decisions. Even if it doesn’t come off I’m happy with the squad for 2016 and the recruitments have a mid 70’s feel to me when blokes like Peard, Porter, Higgs came to the club to bring through the inexperienced guys and I see Gordon, Scott and Watmough doing just that and add a diamond like Foran and I’m not complaining.
BTW Sixties I appreciate your work and I’m looking forward to the interview with The Bear. He was always a favourite being a Guildford lad as well. I’ve no idea who you have lined up but one of interest for me would be Ron Lynch although my old man blamed him for getting The Bear on the drink and keeping him from fulfilling his full potential.
Thanks for the comment Trapped. We are certainly interested in all suggestions for interviews and “Thirsty” would feature heavily for those of us who remember the 1960s. What a tough group of forwards we had in those days!
I get the feeling Jennings would be a bad move by the club unless it was a heavily discounted contract. Rumours around say he has a bad attitude.
Johnny, price is always crucial. Having the right attitude has played a huge part in who we recruit under BA. If Jennings is signed, he will have convinced BA that he wants to e at the club.
Hope your right mate. I think our side looks pretty good for 2016.
We do too mate. Just quietly, the players can’t wait for the season to begin either.
Very interesting comment Sixties, and wise one. I’d like to see Jenko with us. He’s western Sydney boy, went to school in Mt Druitt, and played reps against the likes of Mannah and Hayne. He’s matured and i hope if he does come he plays well. He’d be a huge scoop. Foran, Jennings, Gordon, Semi, Gutherson and Norman….
Seems like you are likely to get your wish!