Parramatta salary cap scandal: Luke Kelly’s dumping linked to second-tier cap
by: CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI
May 26, 2015 8:00PM
LUKE Kelly’s shock dumping from Parramatta was last night being linked to the club’s bulging second-tier salary cap.
Two weeks after replacing Chris Sandow in the Eels’ No. 7 jumper, Kelly was brushed altogether for Friday night’s grudge match against Penrith.
While coach Brad Arthur has been happy with Kelly’s form — and Kelly himself admitted yesterday he was ready to retain the halfback gig for the remainder of the year — it’s understood the Eels may have gone close to blowing their $460,000 second-tier cap if he plays this weekend.
It’s understood Kelly was given special exemptions to play in the NRL the past fortnight.
As it stands, Sandow and Corey Norman will resume their play-making combination.
Parramatta were slapped with a $525,000 fine last week for breaches between 2010 and midway through 2013.
They were reminded by the NRL if they exceeded the cap again before February 29 next year, they would be docked four competition points for the 2016 season.
Arthur wouldn’t get drawn on any specific team selections last night, but told The Daily Telegraph: “We’ve named a team that is compliant with the salary cap.’’
The Eels have 11 players unavailable for selection, including Peni Terepo, who will miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury, and Richie Fa’aoso, who is out “indefinitely’’ and will await scan results for a shoulder complaint.
Arthur has already called on second-tier players Kelly, Danny Wicks, John Folau and Bureta Faraimo.
His options have quickly dried up, there’s little wiggle room in the second-tier cap, and it’s not even halfway through the season.
It’s also understood the form of some of Parramatta’s top 25 players has been underwhelming.
Daniel Alvaro is another player on a second-tier contract who will make his debut this week.
However, even though his involvement will count towards the cap, he’s likely to be given the green light by the NRL auditors because of the shocking injury toll to the front-rowers, including Fa’aoso and Terepo, as well as the suspended Darcy Lussick.
Alvaro, 21, was congratulated by his teammates before training yesterday, and goes by the nickname “Polar’’ because of his Ben Hannant-like blond hair.
“He’s a good kid, he won our ‘best trainer’ in the pre-season, which is voted for by the players, and he’s popular within the group,’’ Arthur said.
“He’s a quiet kid, he comes and trains his best, he treats the elder players with respect, and he sets a good example for the younger boys at the club, and that if you work hard, you’ll get your chance. His chance has come a bit earlier than expected, but we do have a few injuries in our front-row.’’
Meanwhile, Parramatta’s rivals Penrith welcome the return of Peter Wallace and Josh Mansour on Friday night, while Api Koroisau has been named 18th man, and in need of giving his troublesome shoulder a rest.
Michael Gordon has been named for Cronulla, despite walking out on the club last week in protest over his blocked mid-season move to the Eels, while Kieran Foran returns for Manly at half-back.
