The Parramatta Eels are celebrating the prized signature of Kieran Foran, but when the hoo-hah dies down and reality sinks in, some thinking supporter will remind them that they have stuffed up – again!
The modern day NRL team cannot pay huge ‘overs’ for any player and expect to win a competition.
The new-look Eels have a fresh board, chief executive and even created a new position for a general manager of football. Their popular coach is currently in his second year after inheriting a nightmare from Ricky Stuart.
Most fans had the expectation that this new structure would have learnt from their many past recruitment mistakes.
The current team includes Will Hopoate (reported $800,000 a season) and Chris Sandow ($550,000 a season). Both are earning close to double their real worth on an open market, and now we hear that Kieran Foran will bank $4.7 million over four years.
How is Kieran Foran worth almost $1.2 million a season? He is not even the best player at Manly – most professionals would rate him behind Daly Cherry-Evans and Brett Stewart. But Eels living legend Peter Sterling has no doubts Foran is worth every cent.
“He’s one bloke you would (pay that much money) for,” Sterling said.
Sterlo was a great player for the Eels and after many long years of trying, they have not come close to replacing him. Post-retirement, his deeds as a co-caller on Nine have given him enormous credibility in the game, but he must have failed maths at school.
To rip $1.2 million out of a 2016 salary cap of $6.8 million you would need to have a once-in-a-generation player, and as talented as Foran is, he simply is not that good.
Greg Inglis, Daly Cherry-Evans and Johnathan Thurston are the only players who would be considered at this price in the NRL today. Perhaps Israel Folau and Jarryd Hayne if they had a change of heart.
I asked two professionals who make their living from rating teams and players’ value and they both had Foran’s value between 550k and 600k. It remains to be seen how this buying market-share strategy will affect the Eels, as they have paid out $400,000 a season greater than Foran’s club, the Sea Eagles, and well over double what is generally considered his true worth to a salary cap.
Everyone agrees he is a great competitor and an asset to any club, but it is relative to value percentage into the cap. If Eels fans think that Foran is going to turn up next season and finally be the long-lost organiser that has been sadly missing since Sterlo and Brett Kenny then they are in for a disappointment. Foran will bring leadership and stability, but he is not an on-field general with a brilliant tactical kicking game.
He has said that it is not about the money but that he wanted his game to go to a new level, which is a nice slap in the face to his coach Geoff Toovey and specialist halves coach Andrew Johns.
Kieran, you have just completed the deal of the century and congratulations to you, but let’s get it right – it was all about the money.
Colin Bird
Guest
I agree, it must be disheartening for players already in the team that are worth more to the team but on less money. Could be some talented players applying for early releases when there is not enough money to go around.
Nath
Guest
Would it though? Foran seems to be one that Manly wanted to keep and get him to reneg. Why not try get DCE to reneg? Maybe rumours of him being all for himself is true? Foran is an upstanding club person and that is also worth the salary he gets not just paying for infield talents but off field too
Nath
Guest
the 4.7 hasn't been confirmed its been reported, the eels CEO came out and said do not believe the money being reported. They didn't get into a bidding war for him. They offered what they thought was right and he accepted. I'd be believing the word of the CEO over the media every day of the week.
Chris
Guest
Amen
Tom G
Guest
Considering all the above.. Eels still paid overs massively
81paling
Roar Rookie
There are a couple of things not considered her. 1. This is a future Captain - since taking the captaincy Tim Manna has not really been considered for NSW on a consistent basis. 2. Foran never says die no matter the score or time of the game, something Parra needs 3. Manly has always bought players to weaken other clubs particularly their neighbors such as Norths. Their business like attitude towards the creation of the N Eagles & then thier ruthless closing down of the merger that was designed to expand the game tells any club sharing a boarder with Manly that they take no prisoners (particularly after Singo offered $50m fort any club to stay on the coast with an NRL license) so if you can buy their furture talent. 4 Kieran Foran does not play origin so he will play for Parra for an extra 3 rounds per season, that at the very least is worth $75k according to the authors way of thinking.
Tom G
Guest
He was a reserve grader who had one or two games in top grade at Manly. The Roosters smartly picked him up and developed him. I can't think of any established players who have done better after leaving... Possibly Ivan Cleary and Phil Blake although neither won a GF
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Bear Fair enough
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Swann Wait till u see Suli and Alex they have a wow factor
The Barry
Roar Guru
How dare you call me a winger...? I've never been so insulted.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Let's have a look at your basic manners and common courtesy when you disagreed with Scott... "Rubbish" "What a truckload of rubbish" "90% of fans disagree with you" "You are just another cranky manly supporter who's unrealistic" "Maybe a little jealous" "Your comments here are classic sour grapes" Please tell me more about manners and courtesy Gorgeous George...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Come on Georgie Porgie don't be mean to me - I'm just trying to play your guessing game. Six letters, starts with w ends in r....hmmmm. Winger? Wonder? Waiter? Winker? Walker? Wailer? Will you tell me if I give up Boy George...?
George
Guest
Oh that's right, I forgot you can't read properly and have issues with Kindergarden math, as well as Kindergarden comments The Bozza...Get it? The Bother with a German accent....appropriate I think. Anyway.... I'll assist you oh great, rude, condescending Parrot. There's six letters in my special word for a special you. Keep on digging.... PS Here's a tip. Learn some basic manners and common courtesy when disagreeing with someone, no matter how unrealistic your views are.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Adam No he is not better than JT but he is a better defender.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
George The guy they really need is DCE but he and Watmough dont get on.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Glenn The process is actually simple: The position of the player has a % value in the team based on the contribution to the end result. The the player is valued based on the other players in that position and his contribution to the team. Stats give you a probability figure then other key benchmarks are included and weighted. At the end of the day, a player is worth what someone will pay for him.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Wholesaler? Whaler? Wig maker? Womaniser? Whip cracker? Wine maker? What is it Georgie, give me another clue...?
George
Guest
This The Barry clown... don't bother trying to educate that condescending little Napolean....it's impossible. But he's great at being an NRL parrot.
George
Guest
No worries Scott, it was the "ok player" I thought was not quite right...a bit like The Bazza lol. Interesting points you are making none the less, it is a bit of a gamble salary cap wise, assuming the figures are accurate, I personally believe it's money well spent in terms of what was required at the Eels squad. But there's always the injury factor....time will tell. Cheers
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
WB Junior P is a big loss