Now the fallout begins. And these are the questions on the tip of not just every blue and gold tongue, but those of every NRL fan and casual league observers too.
Which players will the Eels release in the short-term?
The Eels have been playing in 2016 over the salary cap and need to shed players immediately to begin playing for points.
They effectively have nine days before their next game, a round 10 home clash against the Rabbitohs on May 12, to get their house in order.
A mid-season fire sale is now a real possibility with salary cap auditors estimating they’re currently operating around $570,000 above the cap.
Three-quarter Ryan Morgan has already joined Melbourne on somewhat of a loan deal for the rest of the year, with an option in his favour to return to the Eels in 2017 as he has a two-year-contract with the Eels.
Interestingly the club is still paying local junior Ryan Matterson who is now at the Roosters.
The Eels have $70,000 of Matterson’s wage sitting in their second-tier salary cap for this season despite him leaving the club at the end of last year.
Junior Paulo could depart immediately given he’s signed for Canberra already next season.
In-form prop Junior Paulo has signed on with the Raiders from next year, but he could switch clubs sooner with the Green Machine able to accommodate him under their cap for this season.
For the Raiders to bring in Paulo, it’s understood they would need to release Mitch Barnett.
Newcastle are keen on signing the 22-year-old forward.
The likes of Danny Wicks, Issac De Gois, Cameron King and James Hasson are also without a club for next season and could all be moved on prematurely.
The elephant in the room remains the hefty sum chewed up by the injured Anthony Watmough, who is unlikely to take the field again due to chronic injuries.
Recruited on a $750,000 four-year deal, insurance issues dictate whether Watmough’s retirement would free up sorely needed cap space, or whether it will have to be found elsewhere.
If Watmough is granted an insurance payout, his wage won’t count on the Eels’ salary cap for next season however that doesn’t help the club in the short term.
The Eels have to shed players to keep their season alive.
In any case Parramatta have upwards of 20 players off-contract at the end of this season, headlined by five-eighth Corey Norman and hooker Nathan Peats.
Up to this point, contract negotiations have remained in a stalemate because the Eels have been waiting on the outcome of the investigation.
With the cap saga over, player managers will now be able to resume talks with the club.
Parramatta's Corey Norman celebrates after scoring a try. Pic Brett Costello
Norman, who reportedly wants upwards of $800,000 a season, is a priority signing, but it remains to be seen if the club can offer such an amount.
If the club can’t come to the party, rival clubs are ready to pounce — the Roosters and Panthers have already been linked to the former Bronco.
The other cog in Parramatta’s spine is Peats, who has found a new lease on life since joining the club in 2014.
If the club aren’t able to offer the classy rake a contract for next season, the Gold Coast loom as possible destination since they have Daniel Mortimer, Nathan Friend, Kierran Moseley and Matt Srama all off contract.
Fullback Michael Gordon, who only joined the club for this season, wants to play on next year but may have to do with another team.
With the club’s reputation in tatters, future recruitment could become a real problem for the Blue and Gold — you can’t blame players and their managers steering clear.
