Alex - that has been bought up before on many forums. I put it to you like this though mate. List Manly's team, then list The Broncos, The Eels, The Roosters, The Dogs along side of it. I think you'll find if being realistic, Manly are WELL within its cap.
If your interested here's some facts for you.
In 2003, Manly had under speant $800,000 from it's salary cap, because it was a known fact we didn't have the cash at the time. At the end of 2003, we signed Ben Kennedy, for $200k per year, and Brent Kite for reportedly $300k per year.
We then picked up a major boost with the injection of cash from our new sponsor Max Delmege.
What we then did, is utilised the $800k as sign on fees (something that was legal at the time, and something that due to this case, the NRL said it would have to review).
Between the two players they combined would have earned $1,500,000 over three years between them. Now, take off $800,000, and that would leave $700,000 over three years. That's around $115k each per year AFTER sign on fees.
Then consider Watmough & Brett Stewart contract were up, and as we weren't travelling well, and they were apprentices, they reportedly re-signed for 3 years at around $70,000 per year each.
Then consider that we have Beaver. He has been with us so long, that we have a HUGE compensation from the NRL in our cap for years of service, so even if he WAS getting paid $200k per year, the figures would show that he is getting much, much less.
That brings us to THIS year.
We have possibly released Sam Harris, Chad Randall, John Hopoate, Terry Hill, Scott Donald, Paul Stephenson & Steve Matai.
You would find quite easily that the above players contracts would cover Bell / Orford quite easily.
Then consider that we have grown our sponsorship base for next year, meaning we get $200,000 compensation again in the salary cap. Not only that, but the NRL is thinking of increasing the cap by the inflation price being 4-5% per year.
In saying that, I would expect that we would have PLENTY of room in the cap, and would consider us to still be in the market for MORE players:-
George Rose
Michael Robertson
etc.
I hope this helps you guys see that we aren't cheating at all.
