Even though it’s well over 12 months till the start of the 2023 season, the major focus remains almost exclusively on future Eels contracts.
Forget about any 2022 announcements, and I fully expect to hear of some soon, supporters want to know who’s replacing the departing stars.
The club, it’s salary cap management, and recruitment and retention practices are all being judged now, with all of those players still attached to the Eels for 2022.
Has the future already been written or will what still lies ahead next year determine the Eels fate?
The issues around the now and the future are the subject of this week’s Bumpers Up, along with the latest news in Parradise.
Let’s get into it.
If The Cap Fits, Ask How
This weekend, it’s been rumoured that should the Bulldogs be able to find a new home for Nick Cotric and Luke Thompson, they will then add Junior Paulo to their roster.
What?
Waqa and Junior (image courtesy Bocko, Eels media.
Let me just repeat that. What!
I might be able to accept that the Dogs are looking to offload these two players to get their cap in order for 2023. It would be the most logical assumption given no club would expect to pay full freight for the inflated salaries that Canterbury paid in the first place. Can you imagine the Raiders taking back an out of form Cotric for more coin than he was on before he departed the nation’s capital?
But the NRL should explain how there would be any talks or contract offers heading the way of any elite player via a club who is, according to media reports, already at the limit of their cap for 2023. Maybe they could just take the opportunity to put the rumours, speculation and innuendo to bed and clarify what clubs can and can’t do regarding recruitment for future seasons.
I remain confident about Junior’s retention and I usually try to avoid these sorts of rumours, but given recent dealings, I‘m a bit fired up about what is possible under the current contract system.
My opinion on the contract system was made clear in a previous Bumpers Up. If this latest rumour is true, it makes the Roosters infamous sombrero look like a baby bonnet.
(NB – the rumour was earlier erroneously attributed to Brent Read. He hasn’t reported this
rumour at all but became wrongly linked with it via social media tag).
A Matter of Optics
The loss of quality players is never ideal, especially those who featured in the Eels future plans.
Regardless of the circumstances, and there are plenty of those, it’s not a terrific look when a player drain doesn’t seem to be matched by significant arrivals.
So, let’s take a step back for a moment.
Isaiah Papali’i
Putting aside the individual contract negotiations or the money involved that lured Niukore, Papali’i and Mahoney to rival clubs, what were we expecting Parra to do in response?
Was it the immediate announcement of a new recruit to replace a departing player?
To be honest, if Parra had done so, it might have felt like a knee-jerk reaction rather than considered recruitment. After all, there was the original intent to retain these players.
Believe it or not, time is on the Eels side as all of these decisions impact 2023, not 2022. Some negotiations might be taking place now, but I’m pleased that there’s been no reactive rush. I find it extraordinary that some media identities have launched into criticism of the Eels cap management when the 2023 roster is yet to be assembled, and when the club’s position has been fiscal responsibility and adherence to cap rules.
By way of comparison, the Dolphins have one confirmed signing for 2023. I’m sure that they will add some quality signings over the next 6 months. The Eels have the same time frame to fill a limited number of spots.
Whether an announcement about 2023 comes soon or down the track, the club needs to ensure that any additions are the right fit.
Different Mindsets
If you were to create a Venn diagram of the aspirations of players, club administrators and supporters, the intersection would probably only include winning the title.
Don’t get me wrong. That’s an important aspiration to be common between the three. No dramas there.
However, were you to remove players from the diagram, there would be more aspirations common to both supporters and administrators – including long term success for the club and retaining certain members of the squad.
All this is my prelude to explaining that in professional sport, we need to expect that players will have different mindsets to club administrators and supporters.
There will be some loyalties to a club where they enjoy playing their football, or even to a coach (see Darius Boyd). A club could be a valued home because it offers good player welfare, excellent facilities or even post-football opportunities. Players might aspire to play for a club or want to be a one club player. These are the type of factors that can make it difficult to lure a player away from their current home. Clubs do their utmost to bring these into play when combating raids from cashed up competitors.
But ultimately, footy careers are short. Aspirations such as maximising earnings, winning titles, being in the top 13 or 17, or playing in a preferred position start to have an impact.
Adam Reynolds
In any of these instances, the feelings of supporters will be unlikely to influence a player’s decision. They might feel the need to address or thank supporters, as departing player favourites often do, but it’s a consequence not a determining factor.
Look no further than the Adam Reynolds situation.
This bloke was Rabbitohs to the core. A local product, he aspired to play for Souths and was a fan favourite. Now, at the back end of his career, he’s moved to Brisbane because the Bunnies couldn’t offer him the contract that he wanted or felt he deserved.
Some fans were livid with the club. Likewise there were supporters venting at Reynolds. It was understandable. They were invested, emotionally, in Reynolds wearing the jersey.
I’m not saying that supporters shouldn’t take players into their hearts. After all, they are a big part of the fan experience. Young kids that become life-long fans often do so after forming a connection to a favourite player. The stars of the NRL should never forget that.
However, reality dictates that few footballers will remain at the one club for their career. There are always exceptions, but movement between clubs is the norm.
If you believe otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
NRLW Squad Announced
Anticipation for the Eels inaugural NRLW season continues to build with the club publishing their squad list for the first of the 2022 premierships.
Kennedy Cherrington
It’s an intriguing blend of talented, experienced stars and those new to the elite level. The introduction of three new clubs has meant that the established clubs have lost key players. Under the tutelage of coach Dean Widders, Parra has a squad capable of winning the title at their first tilt.
They’ve had a couple of get togethers but the preseason will get serious early in the new year.
Recently, the Tip Sheet podcast introduced you to middle forward, Kennedy Cherrington. She’s bound to be a fan favourite and her passion for footy and infectious personality shines through in our chat. If you haven’t already done so, give it a listen.
We look forward to introducing you to more of the players as the season approaches.
What Ability Foundation
The What Ability Foundation was officially launched with a function on Friday morning at CommBank Stadium. It marks the continuation of the fine community work of former Eels forward, Steve Dresler.
Steve’s knee injuries brought an end to his football career just as he was transitioning from under 20s to NSW Cup and a place in an Eels NRL preseason. Now, all of the energy that he used to channel into football goes into providing opportunities and happiness for young people with a disability.
Kennedy and Botille bringing the smiles
The What Ability Foundation aims to unlock experiences for these members of the community all over Australia. Meeting daily needs can be expensive and challenging. Providing fun experiences even more so.
People who donate to the What Ability Foundation are helping to unlock community experiences that will bring happiness and treasured memories to those who might otherwise find it near impossible to access.
Looking out onto CommBank Stadium on Friday, we witnessed the smiling youngsters having fun with the likes of Manly’s Sean Keppie and Tom Trbojevic, Eels NRL players Kennedy Cherrington and Botille Vette-Welsh and former Eel Keegan Hipgrave. It was inspiring.
I was only too pleased to donate “Locker 1” to the Foundation – a $200 Zoo Experience. If you’d like to get involved, please visit their website, www.whatabilityfoundation.org.au for more details.
Congratulations to Steve and everyone involved with What Ability.
Eels Preseason Training
It was back to work for all of the Eels NRL squad this week. Gutho and Moses returned on Monday with the rest of the squad joining them on Wednesday.
Naturally the talk and banter went up several levels with our captain and halfback back at Kellyville, and it’s always entertaining to watch these two trade shots during a session.
My attendance at the What Ability Foundation launch meant that I didn’t catch the Friday session. However, I plan to return to my usual coverage on Monday.
Eels forever!
Sixties
The media seem beyond reluctant to criticise Gould, and with The Dogs and Roosters having no “enemies” in the media, expect more stories like these. There seems to be more fear of being locked out by Nick and Gus than actually researching the issues around caps and signings. Gone are the days of real journos like Alan Clarkson and Frilingos, all Current Affair headline type reporting these days.
I think we are all being guided by a lack of clarity around what is possible Derek. Given the attention devoted to the Bulldogs recent activity, even rumours that contracts won’t be registered until they are compliant, wouldn’t it be wise of the NRL to put rumour and innuendo to bed?
What a good read sixties, in each department. Good to see that the need for Keegan to retire is not a real lost cause as he is still involved with the club in a different manner, with the ability foundation.
I have to add that I really wonder if certain clubs sees players as nothing more than dominoes in a game of chess, in the way there is such a huge scramble to sign a player, and often on big coin, that being the domino, then when it suits and a pawn becomes the fall bit for said big coin player who is now pretty much a big pawn on the board, as attempts are made to take him out of game as nothing more than a big pawn, that gets dispensed to side board box.
It does not surprise me one bit, little thought or concern is put on the pawn as the player has become no matter his abilities in a position that has been pulled from under him with the sweep of a more needed figure until even he gets knocked over from the board and play.
Ps, I accidently hit the wrong key as I started the post why I have an empty box.
Cheers Colin. Keegan is a good bloke and he couldn’t link up with a better organisation than What Ability.
I’m convinced Junior is the next out the door the situation with Junior Reed and Gutho is much like the tigers with Teddy Mitch And Brooks years ago we will end up with the one we needed the least aka the one no one else was after.
I think when looking at ultimate goals players and fans may see a premiership as the goal
Management I feel don’t they are more concerned about memberships and what the spreadsheets say is successful a premiership is happy luxury should it come along but not a priority
Offside, I think that Premierships are a major goal for a club. It is the ultimate bump for memberships, sponsorships and club financials.
We are the whole development club speak to me seems like they are content with the current state of the eels world
If you think they are content to lose players that they plan to keep, you’d be wrong. If you think that they believe they think they are improving their pathways systems you’d be right.
Ain’t that the paradox of being a development club? Build the right pathways, bring talent through to first grade and then have other clubs pay them overs. The next step for Parra is finding that value that encourages most players to stay even if offered more.
Very true Shaun. I believed that it did exist, and I think it does for some, but if the dollar disparity is too great, then not for all.
Thanks sixty, much appreciated.
Cheers Anon.
Well said
No it’s not Offside. Chief has completely misinterpreted my point.
I just don’t get the pessimism of some fans. Worry about 2023 when it comes….
How many accounts do you have, Chief?
It’s an obsession for him Graz.
Pete, when you know who it is, it’s easy to see why he’s making these comments.
The daily telegraph just spat out that junior rumour on their website but I cannot view it as not a member. I think I speak for most fans when I say that I am beyond exhausted with these drawn out negotiations. The eels management need to get that deal done one way or another. Hopefully they have learnt from this and can lock up Dylan brown, penisini etc in advance of their off contract year or promptly during their off contract year
I think if there are lessons learned from this year, and I don’t doubt that there is reflection taking place, it is around the timing. But in terms of matching other offers, the money has been beyond what they have deemed as market price.
Gday Sixties
A lot has been made about other clubs offering overs to our players and that Parra would’nt go above what they deemed Market value. Can anyone confirm that Reed was offered $450,000 by the club? If that is true whoever decided on the offer should be sacked and I am surprised Reed did’nt leave earlier. That is an insult to a guy that is in the top 3 hookers in the game and it is becoming a trend.
There wouldn’t be confirmation from within the club about any dollar amount as there is a policy of not discussing negotiations.
Have no idea if the rumours re Paulo and The Dogs are correct, but if it eventuates then certainly there should be big pressure applied to the HOF. The Recruitment and Retention has certainly underwhelmed and a lack of any statement is a concern. Guess we have to see what the next week or so brings, it feels uncomfortable currently.
Derek, I’m really not sure what could be put in an official statement that would appease fans. The club’s statement about not discussing negotiations was slammed in the media and by certain supporter groups.
You have placed a far different interpretation on the Reynolds scenario than the obvious one that I was using. My point was about players needing to take care of themselves and the folly of becoming emotional in response to player aspirations. Souths only offered him a one year deal. He’d been a loyal and aspirational Souths man. His departure caused emotional responses from the fans.
You have spun my comments into what you have above, Chief.
Tks sixties. The cap for 2022 was reduced by around $600k to $9.1mil after Covid forced one-off salary cuts. A quick stab suggests we had to find another $1mil to match others and keep Niukore, Ice and Mahoney. Basically you could say we had to find $1.6mil to lock them in, plus RCG, Junior, Gutho et al.There’s a strong case that a top 4 roster with depth can be both a solution and a problem.
Agree with this BDon. At face value, and knowing we don’t have complete information (i.e. this is all speculation) Niukore and Papali’i will appear to be on “overs” at their new clubs, and Reed seems to be at a fair-ish price. I understand a bit of angst and confusion about Reed in particular (given his potential, and the stocks on the hooker market), but some fans seem to think the club is deliberately sabotaging itself just to spite us all. I guess every fan has the right to feel the way they want, and have a bit of a moan and groan about things, but I’d encourage those to reflect on the fact that they are doing so with fairly imperfect info and on balance, the club is likely making better decisions than they are.
Good article 60s, totally agree with the sentiments.
Mick, another stab but not ridiculous. A top 4 salary bill…$3mil on your spine, $3mil on another 6(2 props, 1x2ndR, 1 centre, 1 winger, 1 whatever for balance), $1mil on another 3. That leaves $2.1mil for 17 players or $123k average. Minimum salary is $77.5k. The maths tell me that our 2022 roster is maxed out and 2023 was always going to be tough on retention. Or another way of looking at it, maxed out could well mean optimal performance in 2022 if all stakeholders can accept that the cap can bite you, sometimes badly, and just get on with the cards dealt.
And also may explain why Fergo was flatly expired.
BDon good summaries by both yourself and Mick.
What did Jack Nicholson once say, “you can’t handle the truth“.
I think he was talking to some of the NRL supporters at the time.
John, I keep coming back to emotion ruling the outcry
BDon, now work out what the Dogs are spending and on what positions and why there’s an outcry.
The Roosters are easier sixties. Tedesco,Tupou, Manu, Keary, JWH, Radley,Collins(who? played SOO) Crichton, Taukeihaio. There’s near $6mil and they’re chasing Haas and Smith(as in Brandon 61 times f) $1.7m Hypothetically, the other 19 players are left with about $90 k each when minimum wage is $77.5k. They ‘ll have to dump players, but once again indicates how the cap squeezes good rosters.
Cheers Mick, and what you said is very true of some responses. I’ve seen the result of getting into bidding wars over one or two players and the flow on effect. Ultimately, the club places a value on the players. Other clubs do too. In these instances another club has come in not only higher than the Eels but also higher than other clubs. The players have taken top of the market offers. Those who are critical of the club are either critical of the value or critical of our process of starting the process with “lowball” amounts. I’m not sure how we can comment on the process as the club didn’t release any figures offered. But given the amounts they’ve left for, I have no problem with the club not matching them.
Interesting take BDon.
Great points raised Sixties.
I would hate to lose Junior. But I’m guessing by all the messing around by Bulldogs and Ayoub in the player market. It may see us disappointed. I was a bit angry at Reed going to Dogg’s but now I don’t care. I just hope Ayoub doesn’t agitate Reed for early release.
Is Ayoub trying to get all his players a 4 year deal…so they’re all off contract at the same time again. That will put him in the power seat again next time. If so, I’ll happily say bye bye to Junior as much as we need big boppers. If Junior was staying he would have signed up by now?
The NRL is showing its double standards by allowing Bulldogs to act in this way. Trying to release Cotric and their Englishman to raid Junior and Reed is a bit of a joke. Does anyone remember Luke Lewis, RCG, Waqa Blake, these players signed up by Gus. Gus cannot count and doesn’t understand the word No, No, No, No, No! Gus will promise 4 years at $700k but release after 2 years…
Question: if we develop another Stefano or a player as good as Payne Hass. Would we just lose them because we are too rigid with our salary cap management. Sometimes, we have to realise a talent needs to be paid more than an average Joe.
Thanks again Sixties
Pete, your last point is how I feel about Junior. That may then make me a bit hypercritical but I’d argue that Junior should be valued very highly, and the process works from that starting value. Why? The importance of his position, and because his skill set is unique. I believe that it is a much harder task to find or develop a player to bring what Junior does.
I know we all keep talking about it every off season and nothing has changed.
But what needs to happen is;
A. Discount on cap for players developed by the club
B. Transfer fee paid to club losing the player
C. Portion say 1% of every future contract signed goes to junior club that developed the player. Paid by players.
D. TPA’s be included in cap or at least a review of process and published
E. Transfer week end of each season for the following season.
F. Introduce standard contracts so players can easily represent themselves if they so choose and not lose 5-10% paying grubs to represent them.
The Roosters and Gould would never agree to it, so the NRL will never change.
Anyway just some ideas…
You make too much sense Pete for this corrupt NRL to take any notice of your wisdom.
Pete, some of your ideas are worthy of a dedicated post, so I wanted to get back to it.
I particularly like the discount idea and the payment to the junior clubs.
I’ve suggested a similar idea with regard to country clubs. I’d like to see a couple of country academy teams fielded in the junior reps comps, with NRL clubs unable to recruit them until they’ve played one season of SG Ball. Then, if they are recruited by an NRL club, that club has to make a payment to their Country Group and their club of origin.
An issue for Sydney clubs which creates the development clubs and the poaching clubs is the historical junior league boundaries. There is a vast difference between a club like the Roosters and the Panthers in terms of the catchment areas.
what I would like to see is a significant minimum junior investment figure set for all NRL clubs – an amount that they all must spend on grassroots footy. All clubs would then take a level of responsibility for the future of the game.
Sixties, the way the NRL is heading, and in reality its not just an NRL issue it is one that needs to have a serious and honest debate amongst the heads of RL, along with Coaches and Club officials, also including those who manage the Juniors side of the game, and not forgetting what’s left of Country Rugby League.
I have mentioned the way Country Rugby League has pretty much died over the years, sure some clubs have folded owing to the loss of populations, meaning youngsters who leave ASAP when they finish schooling, even in the big centres, the number of teams, and players are dying, if not dead already, when and how to turn the game around to be more inclusive and able to assist teams from the bush, needs a bit step back in looking at where we are heading. & the signs do not look great.
Go back to the RL week newspaper and see 4 pages that have the results of country teams for the previous weekend, and across Australia, RL was big across the states, sure bigger in some than others. Real help and investments need to seriously looked at, before the game has to be buried in areas that could maintain a team or two.
I see this situation as a win win. If junior stays- excellent I love him and want him to stay. If Junior goes to a high contract at the Dogs I will have take pleasure in the coming years watching the Dogs crash and burn as they try to cope with the back end contracts Gus is giving out like chocolate. You think they would have learnt from the Des debacle. Even if they have a good season or two it will be short lived and the back ended contracts will bite hard. Gus stuffed up Penrith with big long term contracts that others had to come in and fix up for him. He was also saved by the big junior nursery and a once in a generation group of talented juniors coming through who had lower tier money contracts but played at a high level. The Dogs don’t have and will never have that junior nursery.
In regards to a club statement the only thing I want to hear, unofficially of course, if Junior goes is that we determine not to work with Ayoub anymore. We are not in the same position as the Tigers and Isaac Moses should Junior go. Our main and most important spine members and playmakers are signed, our captain and a representative prop have all recommitted. With the talented young players who will be a year older in 2023 coming through and money to buy 3-4 good recruits, we will be fine and Ayoub can join Gus and his mates destroying the Dogs and the salary cap for a long time.
I love Junior but him and his manager need to be given a deadline. Then we need to move on and move forward with those who want to stay or come over to us.
Is Gus trying to prove himself? Seems like he’s akin to a loaf of bread that has stale yeast in it, as a result the bread wont rise properly if at all.. In many ways that is how I see Gus, as he really is not the bread itself but the flat & old yeast.
What is he trying to prove with the venture back to the dogs, he spent 3 years as a player there from 83-85, then had then 2 years, 88-89 as coach, & in both mounds was not that great either. His later years though he seemed to have picked himself up but! he still had only a
62% rate as coach of the dogs & a 60% rate, as a representative coach for NSW. Great figures when one looks through his stats and there is nothing in regards to his win percentages at any of the 4 clubs he played for.
Yet he still makes out to be the winning guru and direction finder for clubs, his mouth is actually akin to the bread that has yeast that seems to be ok. The best part of him being in a guru position at the dogs, is that he likely & I hope to be true that he is punted by 9 and other stations with his nonsense knowledge, he’s greatest attribute would be if he shut up.
What we will see at the dogs is a repeat of his actions when in charge at the Riff and no accountability as a his primary aide. I actually also wonder about how close he and Ayab are, is it really about the building of the dogs or their own ego’s?
For me the NRL needs/has to totally look into the so called managers who are agents for themselves when all is said and done, and how they actually are working for players rather than themselves as the behind the scenes market going on’s,
When Greenburg was in charge he spruiked about getting the agents pulled into line, and having certain standards along with accountability as to the way they handled things, they were supposed to stick to a set of standards, that few if any knew what they were, and that still remains the case.
I certainly hope we do not lose Jnr, as its quite possible that he will get shunted out of the way if he drops a bit in form. I also hope that he can see what will happen as with the other named signings, that they may get the big coin but at the expense of how many others. Like he did at the Rif and walked away with no accountability as to his own actions but enough money that kept him going through to the next paid position.
Agree Colin, Gould is a cancer of the game his commentary is killing the game and he should step down. Furthermore, Cotric and Thompson are great players in the right team. Gould is killing two birds with one stone by getting Reed and Junior his plan to potentially derail his bitter rivals Parra and also help out his mates Ayoub and Ricky Stuart. Ayoub would be giving Gould inside info on the player’s and the deal required. It reminds me of organised crime syndicate.
The NRL has let so many players and clubs down with the player manager situation and it just reminds me of how Ryan Tandy was treated. So sad.
I regard Phil Gould as a highly intelligent man. I suspect he believes that he’s always the most intelligent man in the room.
Colin, the short term gain and long term pain could very well be the result. Gus is banking on time being on his side in moving unwanted players and old deals along. Strangely, the Eels aren’t panicking and are using time to do deals starting in 2023 within the cap. Yet the greatest criticism is headed Parra’s way. Why?
In the U.S and rail systems to turn steam loco’s especially the big ones back in those days, rather than the huge turntables they had what was called a Y, it was a large triangle that had dead ends on two legs of the Y to turn the big engines.
I think that Gus is like those Y’s one useable track from the depot to the turning tracks on the Y and heads back I tend to believe that he is stuck on a derailed section of the Y as he passed over it.
Like player agents, though each think they are the primary need to protect the players under their control, Gus is much the same with his new appointment, having deep pockets full of joy to entice players to be with certain agents who are under the spell of Gus and mesmerised by him and his associate with a piece of paper to sign them on a kings ransom, but even Kings pass away into insignificance even though they breath.
With Gus, I believe he cannot say no to anyone that is part of his want show, and when that does happen he is unable to understand and add another dimension to his control, and get more coin for his new toy at the expense of the club, not dissimilar to what he did at the Rif, except the coin is now larger, and perhaps like bitcoin the fluctuation will end up destroying the unwary.
Spot on Shelley,
Gus was kicked out of Riff in the end although his ego would never admit that. He’s still paying Moylan, Wade Graham, RCG, Waqa and who knows how many.
I really think this is the last chance for Bulldogs survival. They are in no man’s land geographically and their only chance is to try and take down Parra. Because in all honesty a merger between Bulldogs and Tigers is just a matter of time.
Pete, I commented on his intelligence above, and alluded to the ego. I too believe that the ego has him believing that he can work the cap out. He may well do that too, but that doesn’t mean that the system should allow such a process.
Ego central!
Shelley, I would be incapable of writing an instant reaction post were Junior to leave. I’ve already spoken to Mitch and Forty about that. But as you suggest, the upside is reduced influence of a certain agent.
The game needs clarity, all this speculation regards salaries and salary caps needs to be completely in the open. I know the players association is against it but all salaries need to be published and that is the only way forward. Fans are sick and tired of clubs like the roosters being able to apparently sign and retain whoever they set their sights on. Only when contracts are published as a matter of course will the inuendo end and maybe put pressure on some clubs in explaining how they can retain players on seriously less dosh than they could make elsewhere.In my opinion it is the biggest blight on the game and is costing the game fans en masse.
It’s a fair call Tony and it’s something that has been campaigned for and as you say, the players association is against it. There was a stage when I agreed with them, but on thinking about it, there are many occupations where salaries are known – especially public sector jobs. So, I’m all for the listing of salaries. Let’s get rid of the secret society or the secretive deals. Imagine having an updated list of salaries, and TPAs, of players throughout the NRL. The playing field would be there for all to see, and it would go some way towards eliminating innuendo.
I am not sure that it is something that we need, while there is a cap in place on all clubs, having the contract amount put out in the public domain may cause more issues than what it tries to fix in a way that is beneficial to player, club, players association and NRL itself.
We don’t know how much the NRL bosses are on, and I bet they would not like it out in the public arena either, same with NRL clubs how many employees do they have and at what wage/salary.
What I would suggest is that each club/team could have 3 key and vital players in the team that is available to them as Marquee players, that can be used to keep a key player, it does not need to be huge but enough for the club to be able to keep the player.
As I look at the current situation with Jnr the eels should be able to offer him an amount that means he could stay at the club in his final contract. As he is not getting any younger along with the aspect that with his actual size he is likely to be used more sparingly and for key plays with the team for him to keep going for an extra year. A players last contract before retiring can be the most vital he has signed.
I don’t like the system that a player retires through injury and is paid out and then returns to the game after a couple of years out as we have seen with certain players at certain clubs.
Having salaries published is also a way to expose when players are signing for less but picking up TPA’s or brown paper bags.
John, I was not advocating for salaries to be exposed, the in club aspect though with players knowing only what each are getting as individuals likewise is something that is totally only between the player and club, in fact I believe that the amount that players get should only be between player, Club, manager and then the NRL who hold the contract and verify it before its validated.
Players salarys are no ones business anymore than yours is , most of the media figures are guess work anyway , its called privacy !!!!
I know you like secrecy you won’t even post a name.
But with regard to privacy of wages mine is public for anyone to see.
I am on the pension No Name
I wonder who tells the media just about every time a name player inks a new contract? Like they guessed Marata’s $600k, Mahoney’s $650k, Papalii’s $600k? Agents are using the media to boost their position, they’re telling all bidding clubs what the latest bid is. Privacy is not respected when it suits whoever. Not many salaries are private right across public and private enterprise.
Yes just delete all the posts who don’t agree with everything that’s written in the blog.
No, we delete the comments from banned people using a VPN and a range of identities Chief.