2014 Playing Roster

[Poupou Escobar]

We could keep Smith for a match payments contract, but if he plays 20+ games this year it's kind of pointless. I might keep him for minimum (or thereabouts) salary but if he plays well this year I'm sure some other club will offer him more.

Tonga turns 31 this year and is contracted for next year as well, meaning he will be 32 when he comes off contract. His history of injury means there is no way I'd retain him, no matter how good he's going.

No player takes a paycut for the final contract of his career. The reason we're getting good value out of Tonga is because he is largely on match payments. That means his salary cap value is based on how many games he played last year (four). But Ben Smith would be on a fixed value contract (that he signed in 2012). If he signed a match payments contract next year it would count under the cap based on how many games he plays this year. If he plays a lot of games then he will be expensive on a match payments contract. If he doesn't play a lot of games this year it will mean he has had three seasons in a row cut short by injury. If that's the case why would we re-sign him?

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

Are you sure that's right, Pou?

I think match payments count towards next year's cap, not last year's matches counting towards how this year's cap is influenced (if he just switched to a match payment contract in '14).

So, if we sign Smith for payments in '15 they will count towards '16s cap even if he doesn't play. Is that right?

 

[Joely01]

Surely we won't be even thinking about giving Benny another contract.... Surely

 

[strider]

Are you sure that's right, Pou?

I think match payments count towards next year's cap, not last year's matches counting towards how this year's cap is influenced (if he just switched to a match payment contract in '14).

So, if we sign Smith for payments in '15 they will count towards '16s cap even if he doesn't play. Is that right?

thats the way it always used to be .... not sure if anything has changed in recent times

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Only joining the Eels today, I think Moose will start in Wenty.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Are you sure that's right, Pou?

I think match payments count towards next year's cap, not last year's matches counting towards how this year's cap is influenced (if he just switched to a match payment contract in '14).

So, if we sign Smith for payments in '15 they will count towards '16s cap even if he doesn't play. Is that right?

Well I'm glad you aksed, HJ.

Acccording to NRL.com (which may be out of date):

Win bonuses and appearance fees ? Payments for appearing in or winning a game are calculated based on the number of NRL and Holden Cup games the player played in the prior year multiplied by any applicable bonuses. For win bonuses, the calculation is capped at 13 wins.

 

[natheel]

Only joining the Eels today, I think Moose will start in Wenty.

Considering he had shoulder surgery which hampered his world cup campaign I think the fact he is late is justified. He will come off the bench when he debuts

 

[hindy111]

Surely Mossop starts the year.He made English squad and there forwards dominated australias-well atleast matched it with them and even thou he didn't play he was the next in line.Surely he rates higher than Allgood lol

 

[Obscene Assassin]

He'd be pretty weak off the bench. Doesn't make much impact on the field, 7m per carry average, I think it was 3-5 offloads all of last season. To me these stats don't impress me that much and unless he plays a trial game brilliantly, if he plays one at all, he should start in Wenty.

 

[The Elephant In The room]

Well I'm glad you aksed, HJ.

Acccording to NRL.com (which may be out of date):

Based on our recent record, the "13 wins" clause won't be threatened.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Ha ha, I thought the same thing.

Also, what player would agree to a wins clause with us anyway?

 

[jk13]

:lol: wins clause, we don't have them

 

[spiderdan]

How do you know he's not fast? He hasn't been fit since the wooden spoon grand final in 2011.

he wasn't what I would call quick before he had his run with injuries.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

he wasn't what I would call quick before he had his run with injuries.

He's a former outside back playing edge forward. Did you see the video in the link I posted (or watch the game)? He caught Benji Marshall, himself a very quick runner.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

After hearing some info on the training sessions I'm leaning towards a Kelepi start. 11. Smith (Right) 12. Tanginoa (Left) with Edwards off the bench.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

After hearing some info on the training sessions I'm leaning towards a Kelepi start. 11. Smith (Right) 12. Tanginoa (Left) with Edwards off the bench.

Yep. I reckon we'll see something like this.

 

[The Elephant In The room]

After hearing some info on the training sessions I'm leaning towards a Kelepi start. 11. Smith (Right) 12. Tanginoa (Left) with Edwards off the bench.

And lock?

I'm really looking forward to seeing what Kelepi can do second year in.

 

[Pazza]

After hearing some info on the training sessions I'm leaning towards a Kelepi start. 11. Smith (Right) 12. Tanginoa (Left) with Edwards off the bench.

seems like the strongest options we have!

 

[spiderdan]

He's a former outside back playing edge forward. Did you see the video in the link I posted (or watch the game)? He caught Benji Marshall, himself a very quick runner.

i don't think Marshall is that quick either. He makes breaks which makes him look quick because he gets past defence while on the run and they need to turn and chase from stand still. Like Clinton schifcofske he's one of the quickest players over about 3 feet and can change direction quickly. As for raw speed I'd be very surprised if he was much quicker than 12 flat over 100m.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I don't think speed over more than forty metres is that important anyway. Sometimes it comes up and looks impressive but even for outside backs there are more important qualities than 100m speed.

I reckon Smith is still quick over 40m, at least for a second rower. Otherwise he would never have played centre in the NRL.