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The Eels are now prepared to sacrifice several prized local juniors in exchange for a premiership, judging from their signing of forwards Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton on three year deals.
Both Poore and Shackleton yesterday agreed to join the Eels after both players were in high demand from several other clubs.
Poore’s signature was the most sought after in the NRL transfer market, with the Dragons prop commanding offers of up to $350,000 a season.
Although the Cronulla Sharks were firmly in the running for Poore, it was Parramatta in the end that forked out the deal to lure arguably the form forward in the NRL competition.
But if gaining the services of the most in-demand prop in the game was not enough, the Eels also found room under their salary cap to snare the Roosters’ best forward in Shackleton.
Although he is currently playing in a poor performing side, Shackleton’s form this season has not been overlooked by representative selectors, with the 26 year-old making his City debut this season.
He has also been earmarked as a possible NSW Origin representative in this series or the next.
The signing of two quality forwards will ensure that the Eels will have one of the more mobile packs running around.
But with high expectations comes significant pressure, as both Poore and Shackleton will be charged with leading the Eels to a premiership that is long overdue.
The signing of both Poore and Shackleton suggests Parramatta have now thrown all their eggs in the one basket, considering the club will now have to offload some of its quality juniors in order to stay under the salary cap.
Among the youngsters that are now on the outer at Parramatta include Jeremy Latimore, Junior Paulo and exciting young half Albert Kelly, who is the cousin of Melbourne Storm superstar Greg Inglis.
Although the junior ranks at the Eels will always be strong, the cash that Poore and Shackleton will now demand will see the Eels struggle to keep a lot of their promising stars for several seasons.
But if Poore and Shackleton can replicate the form they have shown so far this year, maybe the duo will finally bring the traits necessary to produce the thing Eels fans have long been craving - a premiership.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/06/11/parramatta-eels-trying-to-buy-a-premiership/
Both Poore and Shackleton yesterday agreed to join the Eels after both players were in high demand from several other clubs.
Poore’s signature was the most sought after in the NRL transfer market, with the Dragons prop commanding offers of up to $350,000 a season.
Although the Cronulla Sharks were firmly in the running for Poore, it was Parramatta in the end that forked out the deal to lure arguably the form forward in the NRL competition.
But if gaining the services of the most in-demand prop in the game was not enough, the Eels also found room under their salary cap to snare the Roosters’ best forward in Shackleton.
Although he is currently playing in a poor performing side, Shackleton’s form this season has not been overlooked by representative selectors, with the 26 year-old making his City debut this season.
He has also been earmarked as a possible NSW Origin representative in this series or the next.
The signing of two quality forwards will ensure that the Eels will have one of the more mobile packs running around.
But with high expectations comes significant pressure, as both Poore and Shackleton will be charged with leading the Eels to a premiership that is long overdue.
The signing of both Poore and Shackleton suggests Parramatta have now thrown all their eggs in the one basket, considering the club will now have to offload some of its quality juniors in order to stay under the salary cap.
Among the youngsters that are now on the outer at Parramatta include Jeremy Latimore, Junior Paulo and exciting young half Albert Kelly, who is the cousin of Melbourne Storm superstar Greg Inglis.
Although the junior ranks at the Eels will always be strong, the cash that Poore and Shackleton will now demand will see the Eels struggle to keep a lot of their promising stars for several seasons.
But if Poore and Shackleton can replicate the form they have shown so far this year, maybe the duo will finally bring the traits necessary to produce the thing Eels fans have long been craving - a premiership.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/06/11/parramatta-eels-trying-to-buy-a-premiership/
