Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the silly season.
That first day in November, when players contracted until the end of the following season are suddenly permitted to negotiate with clubs twelve months in advance, is soon to arrive.
Of course, the average footy punter has as much faith in the honesty of the system as coaches believe that they have the full support of the board for the duration of their contract. But, for the purposes of continuing the NRL soap opera into the off season, ticking this date on the calendar means that agents can openly play some of their negotiation picture cards with bidding clubs and the media.
Who holds the best hand?
Is it the clubs offering the deals, or the players offering their talents? Forget discussing the agents. They always get their coin, no matter the destination.
Last year we witnessed the Eels move past a spoon season, past November 1, past January 1, then past the season kick off with the majority of their squad and the coach unsigned for the following year.
To me, that was unprecedented.
And it wasn’t as if the pressure wasn’t applied.
The Arthur, Gutherson and Moses contracts were the first to feature in the media.
Ultimately, Arthur’s deal was the first to be finalised. It was soon followed by Gutherson and then Moses. From there, others were quietly extended, whilst Mannah retired, Ma’u moved to the ESL and Moeroa crossed codes to the Waratahs.
Impressively, the Eels picked up Blake mid season and Campbell-Gillard for 2020, with Penrith paying a chunk of their salaries. If rumours are true, the Riff are essentially adding around half a million dollars to the Eels cap for the next four years.
How is it that the team coming off such a disastrous season were able to keep their key players, whilst making significant purchases?
The NRL themselves offer this insight when explaining some of the anomalies queried by many of us when certain clubs consistently recruit marquee players:
Some clubs will attract players on the basis of what the club can offer a player’s career rather than just money. Other clubs may need to spend more money to attract the same level of player.
Many factors affect individual players’ remuneration levels. Some of the reasons why a player may sign with a club include:
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Staying close to the player’s home town and family.
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The chance to work with one of the top coaches in the game.
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Being part of a winning team and the potential to play in the Telstra Premiership Finals Series or Grand Final.
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Increased opportunity to play NRL with that club due to a lack of competition for the player’s preferred position.
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The increased profile a player may enjoy in a one-team town.
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The number of support staff, their expertise and the support facilities.
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Education and welfare support structures.
Without question, coming up with a competitive contract figure would be a major factor in determining whether a player signs. But whether papers are inked at just below, or just above, market value can be influenced by some of those factors listed above.
On that note, it’s worthwhile examining the likely selling points of the Eels as they head into the player market to strengthen their squad for next season.
The Roster
From half back to full back, the Eels have arguably one of the most potent backlines in the premiership.
And it’s still evolving.
Ferguson, Blake, Sivo and Brown are all new to the team. When you consider Blake’s late arrival and the injuries to Brown, Fergo and Jennings, there’s been minimal time to hone their combinations.
SI-VO
The entire backline have been rewarded with representative selection at the end of the season. And there’ve been other achievements during the season itself. Moses finished third in the Dally M awards and received the gong for half back of the year. Sivo was the top try scorer. Fergo returned to Origin footy with Gutho becoming a shadow player for the Blues. And Dylan Brown is undoubtedly the most exciting Eels five-eighth since the legendary Brett Kenny.
In the forwards, Mahoney and Brown earned rep stripes whilst the likes of Lane and Paulo have both received accolades for their form and their leadership qualities. Niukore has established himself as an impact interchange forward. It’s also fair to say that Kane Evans has begun to fulfil the potential that attracted the Eels attention two years ago.
Why is this squad a selling point?
Players want to join strong teams. They want to achieve personal goals such as playing finals football or donning a rep jersey. This past season has proved that the Parramatta club can develop a player and enhance his reputation. Playing for the Eels can lead to rep footy.
Importantly, the departure on Manu Ma’u can be sold as a starting team opportunity.
Of course, backing up this year’s performances next year becomes crucial. The good work can be undone with a poor season, especially when measured against finals residents such as the Roosters and the Storm.
Maintaining a strong squad via consistently strong seasons must be the goal.
Coaching and Support Staff
I can already sense the doubters. Arthur and our staff have yet to win a title or prove that they can consistently coach a team to finals football. Though many of us believe that such results will be achieved, the average punter might continue to have questions.
However, this is where the rugby league network works for a quality coach – the players become the best sales staff.
Word travels in the footy community about what it’s like to be mentored by particular coaches. A well respected coach and his staff can help the club to attract players at, or just below, market value. Without that reputation, it might cost a little more.
In the past I’ve written about what players have said to me about being coached by BA. In some cases I’ve chosen not to write about it, because it’s too personal in terms of the assistance and guidance he’s provided.
Brad Arthur
Importantly, it’s not just Arthur that has been praised by players. It’s been a range of staff. The Eels are one of the benchmark clubs in player welfare, meeting current and future needs via a range of programs including education.
Having dedicated, caring staff has been critical.
Therefore, I’ll leave you with a quote provided to me during the last 12 months. It was made by a first grade player:
“Parra might not have the best facilities, but they have the best people.”
Which leads perfectly into the next selling point.
Facilities
A number of years ago, the Eels had to move away from training at Parramatta Stadium to having sessions at Richie Benaud Oval and about four other venues. There were no player rooms. It was primitive conditions for a major sporting team.
An artist’s impression of the Centre of Excellence
The development at Old Saleyards put the operation at a single venue, but the demountables were still a far cry from those clubs with high performance centres. Furthermore, Eels administration found themselves in rented space inside the old Masonic Club premises. Unfortunately, the Old Salesyard land would require re-zoning to be developed any further and realistically, the space required for a COE and administration headquarters was going to be found outside of the Parramatta Council area.
Thank goodness for the Hills Shire Council.
The $35m Kellyville Centre of Excellence is a game changer.
Stage 1 of the development will see the Eels housed in facilities that are comparable to Penrith. This should be in place when the team returns to pre-season work after the Christmas break.
From there, the following Stages will see the lower grade match venue constructed followed by the full COE and community facilities structure.
Importantly, this new home keeps the club in a major Eels catchment area which just happens to be enjoying significant commercial and residential growth – the Hills District.
It will be a major selling point for the Eels.
Bankwest Stadium
Ground sharing seems inevitable, but after calling this place home for 70 years, this superb stadium will always be recognised as Parra’s home ground.
What a stadium – Bankwest
Very soon, players won’t need a tour to check out what it has to offer. Most will have played at the venue, experiencing the player facilities, not to mention the atmosphere the home team enjoys playing in front of big crowds.
It’s no coincidence that the Eels played their best footy at home this year. Players love to perform on the big stage. You don’t have to be a league expert to understand the difference running out to a full house at Bankwest compared to empty stands at ANZ Stadium.
The Eels averaged just over 21K for their Bankwest Stadium home crowds this year. It’s become the envy of every Sydney club.
Club Wealth/Stability
In the past, this has been a double edged sword.
The Parramatta Eels have never really worried about their viability to field an NRL team. Unlike other clubs who’ve relied on NRL bail outs or private investors, or even those who’ve merged or examined relocation, the Eels have always met their financial responsibilities.
However, having Parramatta Leagues Club as its wealthy benefactor has seen the Eels literally haemorrhage money. In 2016, the salary cap drama exposed a club that had promised and (poorly) executed player payment schemes that resulted in ILGA removing the Leagues Club Board of Directors and appointing an administrator.
From a long term perspective, this was critical.
Max Donnelly’s new Leagues Club Constitution guarantees that the club will provide ongoing funding for the Eels NRL operation.
Additionally, in the three years under the control of an appointed Football Board and Bernie Gurr’s management, Eels operational losses have been shaved from $12.6m down to $3.6m. In reality, massive operation losses are not sustainable for any organisation. The return to Bankwest Stadium and finals football this year should see even better final figures for 2019.
It’s brilliant to have a benefactor who guarantees continued funding. It’s even better when the football operation is less reliant on such handouts.
At a time when some clubs might face uncertainty, the Eels enjoy much greater security.
(PS – let’s guarantee this by supporting future votes for a merit appointed Leagues Club Board)
Will This Translate Into Marquee Signings For 2020 And Beyond?
Talent identification – matching the team’s requirements against the qualities that a potential signing brings – is the first step. In a previous post, we’ve discussed the Eels current need for a quality back rower to replace Manu Ma’u. We’d like to believe that a signing will come from the list contained in that post.
Determining how to pitch the deal is next. Despite media speculation, there are players that the Eels can’t negotiate with until after November 1.
For some of those players, money may not be determining factor. Dollars might be matched by their current clubs or by competing bids. Other factors, such as those suggested above, might become crucial.
Competing against perennially successful clubs like the Roosters and the Storm might still come down to money. In retaining some stars, they can’t keep them all – see Blake Ferguson. Dollar amounts and contract lengths might lure them.
What can’t be denied is that players, be they new recruits or extensions, often receive similar offers – and other factors determine who they decide to sign with.
Though we don’t yet know who it will be, the Eels will add to their roster for next year.
And it doesn’t hurt negotiations when the club has more than money to offer.
Eels Forever!
Sixties
Great read as usual, thanks for all your hard work and dedication.
Cheers John.
Sixties I have been thinking how quiet it has been off season. Last year it was all of the toxic commentary after the wooden spoon that caused me to walk away from social media for a period but fortunately that is not happening this year
We are all hanging out for a forward signing, a CEO singing and possible coaching changes. There was some talk of a possible coaching signing from Featherstone Rovers but we need to wait for details.
As I understand Bernie will be leaving shortly and his replacement will be eagerly anticipated.
However the big news will be the signing of a new forward. I could probably make a case for any of the forwards you had on your previous list. Either way I believe we will have a better team next year.
Further some of the current players will really benefit from the pre season together including Dylan Brown, Reed Mahoney, Waqa Blake Development players and Maika Sivo
Just on a good feeling note I like to think of the half million that the Panthers are spending to subsidise our roster as the TPA we haven’t enjoyed recently. God knows we subsidised other clubs enough in the post Ricky era
Posted by John Eel
Cheers mate,
I anticipate a range of announcements in the near future. I don’t like to speculate about CEO or coaching names that I’ve heard as there’s nothing to substantiate them.
I agree that the air of positivity is a welcome change. And the gift from the Riff? It’s like being given a cap increase of half a million.
Great read Sixties, agree. Unlike years gone by, we do have a lot of upside off the field and especially after the improvements on the field. Bankwest is a huge selling point, everyone loves a good home ground ours is second to none.
The sad thing is the salary cap is not working with Storm and Roosters hogging the best players. They have had the lions share of GF appearances. Storm sheds Cronk and he goes to the Roosters. Will Latrell head to Storm to replace Chambers or will he stay for 300k… It seems the other 14 teams are fighting over the remaining talent and having to pay overs to compete.
Thanks again
Cheers Pete.
What we have to aim for, as does every other club, is to become as close to those clubs performance wise and therefore attract players for no more than market value.
It’s interesting to consider the differences between those two clubs who do well for slightly different reasons.
For the Storm, it wasn’t so much recruiting as retaining their best. For the Roosters, it’s always managing to replace the best with another marquee. When they want someone, money is never an issue.
But credit to both (and I am no fan of either) they have identified and developed some decent players over the years.
Still, my distrust won’t let me forget the Storm’s massive cap cheating and the Roosters being allowed to sign SBW. They couldn’t fit him under the cap when he was signed, and were allowed to offload contracted players months afterward to be cap compliant.
Maybe I should let go of the past? 😂
The biggest issue may well be the success from this point of Mark ONeil, he has to secure the extensions of Dylan Brown, Reed Mahoney and Maiko Sivo as well sign a replacement and rep level edge forward, a back up hooker and an experienced utility back. These are all requirements needed to get the Eels up the table, both the clubs and his future are bound up in the next 6/8 weeks.
If we lose any of the 3 that need extending ( that shouldn’t happen) or fail to secure the missing piece of the puzzle on the right edge, then he has failed at the first attempt.
That may be putting too much pressure on him, but BA signed the big 4 last year after a diabolical season swiftly , so it can be done. It’s now up to the HOF to deliver and build on the young spine and potential that exists. Who said its a curse to live in interesting times.?
BA is also responsible for the choices of waqa blake and campbell gillard not to mention the promotion of dylan brown and reed mahoney , add gutho ,nathan brown , moses , marata , evans and hes just about overhauled the club despite the stupidity of boards prior to salary cap scandal , its a brave new world in front of us , might add , tim mannas retirement means not 1 player is left from the roster he inherited , bring on 20/20 !!!!
Indeed, starting in 2017 onwards BA has added Sivo, Fergo, Blake, both Browns, Moses, Niukore, Lane, Evans, Mahoney, Paulo (returned) as regulars to the 17.
That’s why it’s important that the relatively newly appointed HOF doesn’t waste the work done previously. As i said, if he doesn’t achieve the fairly modest recruitment and extension aims, he hasn’t done his job.
He can add to a legacy in his first 12 months, need to see if he can step up to the plate that BA provided .
Great blog cheers Sixties,
interested on your thoughts on what type of a void Mau leaving will be ? I think its a big loss he was the mans man in our pack. Nobody messed with Manu.
But do you know any local back-rowers we already have that you can see stepping up in 2020 or are we needing to buy one ?
According to people in the club, we really don’t have one coming through, can point to a number of middles in the lower grades, but not edges. So have to look outside, and that’s the task the HoF has.
That makes sense. However what of Fainga’a. Do the club not see him as an Edge forward anymore or is it that he is simply not ready at this point.
Definetly NOT nrl quality !!
I tend to agree with Derek on this Rocky. There is depth and talent in the middle forwards coming through. There really isn’t anyone who could immediately step into Manu’s role. The club is definitely making that edge a recruitment priority.
Very good article sixties and without doubt timely, with that magical date a shade over 2 weeks away, although I don’t expect a raft of external signings though, I actually wonder at the aspect of how many do we need to recruit from outside, and how many of the eels off contract players will be given extensions, maybe a few of them only.
When I look to our future we have to give thanks for our past, that includes the bad and the good, I get the impression that the team as it is with those left are a very close knit group, and whoever comes to the club will be well looked after and know they are part and belong to the club.
The future with the Kellyville move and Cumberland oval in revamped HULK form is a place that opposition teams will not like to play on but I suspect that the coming NRL season will more than likely see several clubs playing out of there for their home games, which will give them a boost but its not going to knock the eels though, However, the team as such has to own it more and ensure no losses at home, be they big or small.
I remain positive for the years ahead, I look forward to who becomes our new CEO who has big shoes to fill, also to any new arrivals, along with those from within. The return of the eels in Reggies is a big plus and will help those in the lower grades/juniors to know they have a pathway from their young days to NRL if they go hard for it.
I certainly hope that ASAP the board vote will come into affect also the voting by email or similar will take place as well.
With all of that, I do have one concern for the team, but its one that I will keep to myself and hope that it does not eventuate, although I have hinted at it at other times.
Edit in. In regards to players and what they are prepared to accept and what can determine where they go to can be found in a player north of the border who is off contract end of 2020, who says he wants to stay at his current club but will be looking at all offers/options. I read today where he has said that his wife/partner would see benefits in her career in a move to Sydney.
Certainly fits into the scenario of looking at both internals and externals of each offer and where the best fit would come from, especially regarding where he plays and his contribution to the side.
Colin, your mention of the Eels fielding their own reggies is also timely. As you know, I was campaigning passionately for this to happen. If we wanted to be known as a development club, players had to stay entirely in our system, wearing our jersey, all the way along the pathway.
Another example of external influence, Cooper Cronk moving to Sydney for love (and yes I’m sure that the Roosters coin made it very worthwhile too!).
Sixties, having the reggies team in eels colours for me fills the yawning gap between the other lower grade teams and NRL teams,, I would still love to see a mid point comp though between Flegg and Reserves something of the age of old Presidents cup. Would put the right spacing in the ladder I think.
Cooper Cronk will get a good job at the chooks for time to come, I read where he is not interested in being a coach as such, sure I read somewhere where he saw the affects of coaching and how Bellamy got his name. Who could blame him? thing is he can well be employed as a type of personal trainer for key players at the chooks, he has a keen eye and to work with the spine would help the 6, 7 & 9 spots very well indeed, not sure he could add a great amount to their 1 though.
Cronks wife wanted to move to Sydney and was a key part in the move, same as I mentioned with another player north of the border.
Edit in. In regards to players and what they are prepared to accept and what can determine where they go to can be found in a player north of the border who is off contract end of 2020, who says he wants to stay at his current club but will be looking at all offers/options. I read today where he has said that his wife/partner would see benefits in her career in a move to Sydney.
Certainly fits into the scenario of looking at both internals and externals of each offer and where the best fit would come from, especially regarding where he plays and his contribution to the side.
Great summary sixties. I watched the final 2 weeks trying to understand what the gap was between us and the last 4 teams. Leaving Souths aside(maybe not at their best), Roosters, Raiders and Storm showed great ability to compete in a way that gave them a clear shot at winning. I don’t have the keyboard concentration span to do justice to analyse it (maybe you should sixties?) but the mental side of the game was screaming out “there’s no soft options or shortcuts in Rugby League success”.
BDon, the resilience shown by the Roosters defence in the grand final was astonishing. That is the benchmark in attitude.
Sixties great read again. It’s hard being in the off season and i even sat and watched Bathurst last weekend. Loved it even though i am no car enthusiast.
For me the coaching aspect and being able to improve players is the key along with the prospect of being a premiership force and the training facilities too. They in my view are the key and i think we have done well over the last couple of yrs to re group and move on from the 2016 issues (besides 2017 fail).
For me we need a couple of astute purchases and one being a solid backrower and someone to back up our hooker unless Stone is that; i personally would like another young back up backrower as it seems we have some spaces here.
Thanks Milo. That target of both a quality back rower and a young back up is probably spot on. We need a bit more depth there.
Good read Sixties but I think you’re being naive by overlooking the importance of player managers. Agents have their own feelings and opinions toward certain clubs and will guide their players toward clubs they want them to be at. A huge factor is the politicking of agents assembling a host of their players to be at one club in order to increase their level of influence of said club. It’s no coincidence that Isaac Moses has a lot of his own players at the Broncos. He wants to have leverage over their player roster and its development.
Also look at Matterson. He’s in talks with the Titans and is managed be the Orr brothers. Who’s also managed by this management team? A whole bunch of Titans players as well as Justin Holbrook. You think this is all coincidence? The Orr brothers are stacking the deck and will be in a strong bargaining position as the Titans rebuild their roster. Mind you, Matterson may end up elsewhere as the Tigers will have a say in this but the role of player agents is nonetheless clear.
Everyone is aware of that , no revelations there , but at end of day players have preferences and familys and will make thier own decisions in the end and that opinion is based on experience , might add 60,s anything but naive hes on the pulse not just saying what he reckons .
Cheers Anon. You nailed it with players ultimately making the decision.
Cheers Jetta. I’m not naive to the role of player agents. However, I think that their impact is not so much about the destination of their clients but more about their influence at a club (as you pointed out yourself). There have been times when clubs have had to sign more than one player managed by an agent just to help get a deal with a marquee player done.
Eg -“ if you sign Joe Bloggs and Harry Mudd, it will help get the deal with Mr Superstar across the line.” Then what do you know, said superstar ends up signing elsewhere!
As you indicated, it’s definitely not ideal for any club to have too many players managed by the same agent.
There are definitely times when the agent’s advice may not be in the players best interest, and it might cause ruffles between player and club that should not exist, but ultimately the players usually choose a club that they’ll be happy to play at. (I’m not including players who end up taking a deal which might be the only one they’d get!)