Rumours and Stuff

[Poupou Escobar]

What is part of the problem is that the club stated that both players had signed long term contracts and were committed to the club for 5 and 8 years respectively.

No, we were committed to them. Whether the players are committed to us is their decision.

No mention of options

Now you're just inventing reasons to hate the club. No mention of options ffs:

"The Parramatta Eels have extended the contract of halfback Mitch Moses until at least the end of the 2026 season with an option for a further two years until 2028."

Moses extends with the Eels

The Parramatta Eels have extended the contract of halfback Mitch Moses!

www.parraeels.com.au

"The Parramatta Eels are delighted to announce Dylan Brown has agreed to a multi-year extension to remain at the Club until at least the end of 2025 with an option to remain an Eel until 2031."

Dylan Brown re-signs with Eels

The Parramatta Eels are delighted to announce Dylan Brown has agreed to a multi-year extension to remain at the Club.

www.parraeels.com.au

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Mate, I just don't think that is true.

From the Parra press release when Dylan re-signed in December 2022:

Dylan Brown re-signs with Eels

The Parramatta Eels are delighted to announce Dylan Brown has agreed to a multi-year extension to remain at the Club.

www.parraeels.com.au

ffs

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If that’s not a ringing endorsement of the new coach i don’t know what is.

He could've activated his option for the amount he initially agreed to, for the duration he initially agreed to. Instead we've had to offer an extension and probably an upgrade to stop him going to market in November.

Even more pressure on Dylan to do the right thing.

Is it? Only if the right thing is chasing the money instead of activating the player option. Since we haven't offered Drown an upgrade/extension, the only way he can stay with us is to activate the PO he already has. Is that the right thing or is the right thing to chase a bigger contract like Moses?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

JR on fire

No options needed

he will be 35 at the end of this deal. It's already too long. Why would we give him an option for the year he turns 36?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Well, we don't know what we paid him. Maybe Mitch is now the $$$$ player in the NRL ?

Best case is it's for the same amount, but we have given him an extra year. We haven't 'removed the PO' at all. We have crystallised whatever risk it represented and added a year.

 

[Gazzamatta]

I'd much rather the Dick be given a go on the wing that Tago who i see so upside whatsoever.

I'd be surprised if thats not the plan. He's taller, probably stronger and his D was excellent in the trial.

 

[Gazzamatta]

Oops!

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Signs up for 5 years with clauses removed before we even play a game. Moses obviously impressed with the new coach.

Clauses removed? They have effectively been activated and extended. Now there is 100% chance he will still be here until 2028 if he breaks down, plus we've added 2029.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

And that’s how u conduct negotiations…..take note, Gutherson and brown

Definitely good that it wasn't dragged through the media, but also, he wasn't off contract until November. What did it cost us to get him to give up the opportunity to go to market in eight months? Hopefully he got a big signing bonus with whatever space we had left in the 2025 cap, rather than us paying much extra in future years. Plus he'll still be on the books at 35. It's a risk for a player who hasn't played a full season since 2022.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

*MON

I do wonder how much he is involved in negotiations. There's something in his JD in the signing announcement from over six years ago:

"Mark will implement the overall football strategy with responsibilities across performance management, salary reviews and staff contracting. Mark will oversee all aspects of the Football Department including Recruitment, Junior Representative Program, High Performance Unit, Parramatta Junior League, Player Wellbeing and Education, football operations and training facilities."

Club Statement: Eels appoint General Manager of Football

The Parramatta Eels have today announced the appointment of Mark O’Neill as General Manager of Football.

www.parraeels.com.au

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Now we have to pay 10% more

No more Morgan harpers for us

Morgan Harper is the type of backup you get when your top 17 chews up all the salary cap.

 

[hineyrulz]

 

[Poupou Escobar]

And we liked what he brought defensively:-(

If he didn't have anything going for him he wouldn't have played 60+ NRL games. He wouldn't still be in the NRL.

“Morgan’s a great acquisition and we’re thrilled to have him on board with us,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.

“He’ll not only add to the competition in the centres but his knowledge over a number of years with different clubs will be invaluable.”

Harper signed for 2025 season

Centre Morgan Harper has returned home on one-year deal with One New Zealand Warriors.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[JokerEel]

It's not a longer contract, it's the option of a longer contract if things go wrong and he loses value. How much do you reckon Dunster would've been worth on the open market after his knee injury? He is still in the top 30 this year thanks to his PO. That kind of insurance is worth plenty. If you consider car insurance, over three years, fully comprehensive insurance will cost about 10% of the replacement price of the car. Most car owners are happy to pay it. It's what the smart car owners do.

Why would we give a PO to a winger just a dumb plan.

I Understand why you would go with a Mutual Option. When it comes up for the club or player to take it the club can take it but at a higher price as they believe the player is worth more now or the player can take it as the club isn't taking up their option and they can't get a better deal elsewhere.

 

[JokerEel]

Agreed. Roosters and Dogs are most likely.

Roosters right now have 29 players ont thier books for 2026 going of the NRL website. They also want to bring Manu back.

 

[JokerEel]

If he didn't have anything going for him he wouldn't have played 60+ NRL games. He wouldn't still be in the NRL.

“Morgan’s a great acquisition and we’re thrilled to have him on board with us,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.

“He’ll not only add to the competition in the centres but his knowledge over a number of years with different clubs will be invaluable.”

Harper signed for 2025 season

Centre Morgan Harper has returned home on one-year deal with One New Zealand Warriors.

www.warriors.kiwi

Harper is good for a club that can't develop their own players.

 

[Pazza]

Being stalked on LU, it's just part of the game

 

[RustedonEel]

Can we institute a 'swear box' for any merkin that mentions or engages in any discussion re POs ? Ffs give it a rest.

 

[Zoso]

I’m glad we signed Mitch, made him captain, and avoided a media frenzy and weeks of clickbait horse shite articles.
Only concern is the 5 years. Most were excited about signing RCG and Junior for lengthy deals.
Forwards are different to halves who can run around a bit longer, so hopefully he stays fit and delivers.

 

[Soto]

I'd much rather the Dick be given a go on the wing that Tago who i see no upside whatsoever.

A potent Dick or a limp Jake..pretty easy decision every day of the week.
Here's a smokey. Papalli to start on the wing.