HE Parramatta Eels are facing a salary cap crisis that could force at least one of their Grand Final stars to quit the club.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Eels are committed to an extra $1.2 million in player payments next year.
The upgrading of Jarryd Hayne's contract on top of signing Justin Poore, Shane Shackleton, and Timana Tahu, plus upcoming contract negotiations with boom rookie Daniel Mortimer, will force the Eels to release at least one player.
And the club could be forced to shed more of the Grand Final squad with former Parramatta coach Michael Hagan declaring the Eels must poach Test halfback Johnathan Thurston to break the club's 13-year premiership drought.
Eels CEO Paul Osborne yesterday said that while the club was hopeful of retaining all their stars, they were resigned to the possibility of players leaving.
"I understand a few blokes are looking around informally," he said.
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At the time there were doubts over the futures of Luke Burt, Eric Grothe and Nathan Cayless, who have indicated they want to stay in the blue and gold.
Under the current contract structure, including Hayne's upgrade from $250,000 to $500,000, and Mortimer's rise from $40,000 to $150,000, the Eels will spend $4 million of the $4.1 million salary cap on 14 of Sunday's grand final squad with the addition of Poore, Shackleton and Tahu in 2010.
The Daily Telegraph has learned new CEO Paul Osborne will backdate some of the contracts, with Hayne to be paid the bulk of his contract rise in the final three years, when money will be freed up after Nathan contract expires next year.
While grand final lock Todd Lowrie has already agreed to link with Melborne next year, Joe Gaulvao signed with Manly and interchange hooker Kevin Kingston forced out after the NRL denied his offer to repay $50,00 in match payments to stay next year, Eric Grothe and journeyman halfback Jeff Robson are expected to be walk away.
Although Grothe yesterday declared "I will be here next year", the bockbusting winger has struck financial troubles that may force him out of the NRL.
Grothe's manager has been seeking rugby deals in Japan and the UK.
Asked about his future as he left the Eels fan day at Parramatta Stadium, the 29-year-old's words will give heartbroken Parramatta fans little comfort.
"I am here next year," said Grothe, whose 45th minute try gave the Eels a sniff of victory on Sunday as they closed the gap to 10-6. "I'm waiting for an offer. Nothing has come through so I suppose I am here."
Strike centre Krisnan Inu yesterday led a plea to Osborne to retain the grand final squad.
Asked about Robson and Kingston, Inu said: "I hope they are going to be there.
"They are the heart and soul of the middle of the pack and for them to play the way they played all year you expect them to be there next year and help build te team to be stronger because the bond that we've had during the season has been great."
Inu said Robson must be rewarded for his role in guiding the Eels the first grand final in eight years.
"(We want him) for sure. You can't really bag anyone. Everyone is going to love each other that much and we have such a strong bond you don't want to see anyone go.
"Fingers crossed for Robbo that he stays."
