Cap disaster: Eels have no room to rebuild

[parra-matters]

I saw enough against the Cowboys to say that we can still make the 8 this year and with some more games under their belts me should go close to the 8 again next year.

 

[Stagger eel]

We're that broke?

no..the 5 year upgrades to Lowire and Cordoba meant that there's no longer any room in the cap for me.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

no..the 5 year upgrades to Lowire and Cordoba meant that there's no longer any room in the cap for me.

What about a seniors dispensation? Dose the NRL give salary cap concessions? if so, Parra Pete is hot property.

 

[Runaround Man]

I want to introduce a radical concept into this discussion on our team's player talent pool.

Belief.

The great Jack Gibson said, "A player can have strength, courage and toughness, but the question I ask myself is, can I win with him?"

I believe there is only a few percent different in the talent of most first graders. But it is at the margin that is all important. Our current crop of players can become a very good TEAM. DA somehow needs to help the players uncover the 'champion within'.

I believe....I believe......say it with me brothers and sisters.....I believe.......can you feel it?............I believe.................

 

[Eelementary]

We're not that badly off imo.

 

[Eels Dude]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21424683-23214,00.html


Grothe wants to be a Wallaby

By Dean Ritchie and Peter Jenkins
March 22, 2007
PARRAMATTA star Eric Grothe is poised to become the second Australian rugby league star in a week to quit the NRL and join rugby union, in a deal worth $1.3 million.
Grothe is believed to be just days from agreeing a lucrative package worth up to $440,000 a season to represent New South Wales and Australia.
Grothe's imminent defection comes after Eels teammate Timana Tahu agreed to walk out on rugby league for the ARU at the end of this season.
The ARU will offer Grothe a base contract worth $280,000 a season.
Match incentives and Wallabies Test match payments will add $160,000 to the deal, taking Grothe's final figure to $440,000.






that's how his manager managed contract negotiations to force parra to stump up, guru later admitted he was never interested in moving.

Not exactly true. The ARU very publicy denied they were interested in Eric Grothe at all and informed the Waratahs that they would not give him an ARU contract and if they wanted him they had to fork out their own money. The Waratahs wanted him but the ARU didn't. It was made to look a bit embarrasing for Eric at the time with this very public rejection, and it was only a little while AFTER that when he re-signed with Parramatta.

 

[Craig Johnston]

agreed, this resigned defeatist garbage like "worst crop" for DA to walk into is a little over the top. look at the tigers ffs, and penrith have been woeful for years, they STILL don't have a decent halves combo.

besides chad robinson and tahu (and finch), this squad isn't that much different than the one that was tipped to go all the way. there's just alot of cultural stuff that needs to be sorted out, and DA is the man to do it.

buying new players is NOT the be all and end all of our issues atm.

 

[El Diablo]

who at our club does Spagnolo manage?

 

[Craig Johnston]

Not exactly true. The ARU very publicy denied they were interested in Eric Grothe at all and informed the Waratahs that they would not give him an ARU contract and if they wanted him they had to fork out their own money. The Waratahs wanted him but the ARU didn't. It was made to look a bit embarrasing for Eric at the time with this very public rejection, and it was only a little while AFTER that when he re-signed with Parramatta.

not exactly true again. they did deny that they submitted an offer, but they did acknowledge that knuckles did refer grothe and that they (wilson) would be prepared to consider him.

it was when they realised they had been bargained chip that they changed their tune.

 

[HevyDevy]

who at our club does Spagnolo manage?

None anymore, but Fui was one.

 

[Eelementary]

agreed, this resigned defeatist garbage like "worst crop" for DA to walk into is a little over the top. look at the tigers ffs, and penrith have been woeful for years, they STILL don't have a decent halves combo.

besides chad robinson and tahu (and finch), this squad isn't that much different than the one that was tipped to go all the way. there's just alot of cultural stuff that needs to be sorted out, and DA is the man to do it.

buying new players is NOT the be all and end all of our issues atm.

Exactly. I honestly really believe we have the talent - the two Mitchells up front and Anthony Mitchell imo will all be stars; Tim Robinson and David Baumann; all going to go far imo, and they're here. Maybe not ready yet, but they will be, and we'll be sweet.

 

[HevyDevy]

I saw enough against the Cowboys to say that we can still make the 8 this year and with some more games under their belts me should go close to the 8 again next year.

There is certainly some talent there, I'm just not sure there is enough in key positions to go all the way.

 

[Hellsy]

None anymore, but Fui was one.

R U sure about that? Reports recently have him listed as being Fui, Luke Burt and Eric Jr's manager

 

[bartman]

I think he said that he's cease, due to conflict of interest.

 

[Hellsy]

Fair enough, because he was when this was in the news:

A self-made accountant turned property developer who also manages Eels stars Fuifui Moimoi, Luke Burt and Eric Grothe free of charge, Spagnolo felt his relationship with the players might be jeopardised by what he correctly predicted would be a bitter campaign.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25394568-5001021,00.html

 

[Eelementary]

I'll play for free. I wouldn't have an ego problem because I'd be playing for free. Besides, having the honour of strapping on the boots and playing alongside the legendary Nathan Hindmarsh, Fui and the World Cup-winning captain would do me fine.

Let us start a petition.

 

[Eels Dude]

It's pretty obvious a bunch of players are on backloaded contracts and have been for the last couple of years. This was probably in place before Michael Hagan took over as in his first season we couldn't recruit.

Let's look at the facts, in the past 2 seasons under Hagan we've signed 3 players with first grade experience Joe G, Jeff Robson, and Kevin Kingston... all fringe first graders. In the meantime we've lost Mark Riddell, PJ Marsh, Aaron Cannings, Ian Hindmarsh, Daniel Wagon, Tony Williams, Chad Robinson, Tim Smith, Timana Tahu and anyone else I've forgotten.

Now, I think this backloading has been in place for a while. I know we had a couple of upgrades to unknown players like Inu, Hayne, Mateo etc but that couldn't have been that much to the overall scheme of things. I would think the reason we've lost that many players is partially due to backloaded, or frontloaded contracts which were in place on or around when Hagan arrived.

Hagan cannot be blamed entirely for that, if he is being told to assess what players he wants and what price they are worth, well that's not really a coach's job. He should have a say, but he shouldn't be the one making the sole decision. DF and Hill are the ones who should be having the final say on these matters and working out the contracts. That job has failed. Hagan did make stuff ups, but whether he should be in a position in the first place to make those stuff ups is another question.

 

[murraymob]

I'll play for free. I wouldn't have an ego problem because I'd be playing for free. Besides, having the honour of strapping on the boots and playing alongside the legendary Nathan Hindmarsh, Fui and the World Cup-winning captain would do me fine.

Let us start a petition.

i agree you should get a run and a contract .But can your first game be against us at penrith .I would love a punt on that game

 

[Eelementary]

i agree you should get a run and a contract .But can your first game be against us at penrith .I would love a punt on that game

Interestingly enough, the game where I hurt my neck there was rumoured to be a Penrith talent scout in the stands....

 

[murraymob]

Interestingly enough, the game where I hurt my neck there was rumoured to be a Penrith talent scout in the stands....

That is interesting as our scouts have a talent for not finding any talent.Last known location they where seen krispy kreen eating dougnuts