Eels officially sign Michael Jennings

It's great the brown paper bag under the table is back. Let's get rid of the farce of a so called salary cap. No one abides by it

Jennings is a beast. Not in a Radradra way. But a beast nonetheless. I wish he were playing for Glebe!

If anyone actually read what the salary cap breach was for they might understand. It was for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The highest overspend was 2nd tier. That was because we had so many injuries asnd ricky had booted out half the top 25 squad we had to play second tier players in first grade and the nrl wouldn't allow it. There was game against cowboys in 2014 where we were playing up in north queensland and had to bring in an emergency backup on 2nd tier. NRL didn't sign off on it so his contract was added to top 25. He played 4 minutes of one game and was deemed top 25. And eaglejack its well publiscised that pwc has audited the eels listed recommendations and we are complying. Starting on -4 points is extremely unlikely. As I said a couple of times. HAving the ex salary cap auditor as a consultant for managing the Eels cap is huge. I'd find it extremely unlikely that eels are rorting the cap with Schubert on board.

Its the lack of transparency Parrafan that is the problem with the whole system. You may be right and everything is above board, but the fact is that the Eels were in salary cap hell just a few months ago and now suddenly they have all this money to splurge out on top quality players? Is it any wonder the fans get confused? We keep hearing for instance that player A is on 350,000 and the rest in topped up by TPA's....but what is this TPA...how much is it and who decides if its legit or not? The average punter never gets to hear the details so inevitably conspiracy theories start to proliferate. Not sure what the solution is, but maybe they should just make all the details of TPA's public?

You have to understand why people are questioning it. With the worst squad going around the Eels still managed to go over the cap. Now they sign some decent players, cap queries are obviously going to come up in conversation. I mean they are still under threat of starting 2016 on negative points! How do things get that bad, so poorly managed, that the NRL have to threaten them with that?! But best of luck to them. It looks like they've finally worked out how to use a calculator.

Lol is this what it feels like to be a roosters fan. That sense of smug satisfaction when everyone else questions how you fit people in. But to answer steves question it was well publicised that the eels put in an offer of 350k for hiku. Now pauli would be on 150-200k. Jennings would be on roughly 500k in his first year of a 4 year deal which would be back ended. Where is the salary cap problem?

Exactly. No one has explained to me how the Eels can possibly fit him in under the cap at the 11th hour like this. Having Ian Schubert on the payroll was obviously a good move. The Eels should have to release at least one more player besides Pauli Pauli for it to be legit.

If he plays next to Radradra then Radradra will never get the ball from Jennings. I'd rather Takarangi and Radradra, that was a good combination.

Like DOW I'm happy to wait and see but on the face of it I'm not stoked about the signing of Hoppa and the release of Lafai. Hoppa is smaller, slower and not as strong as he was in 2011. I'm surprised he wasn't on a training program while he completed his mission, but he clearly wasn't. I liked Lafai too. When he came into first grade he was quick footed but didn't like the physical confrontation. He's developed into a player who is still light on his feet but bigger, stronger and harder running. He was very good in 2014 but had an injury interrupted season last year. Until I see otherwise I still think there was more upside in retaining Lafai than signing Hoppa. I know you guys are glad to see the back of him.

Salary cap , what salary cap

Sad to see Jennings go. Superb season in 2013 played major role in premiership triumph. Dale Copley though is a great signing for the chooks. I have always been a fan of Copley. Very solid.

They weren't on the market when Hoppa was available though. I'm more of a lets see if under Des Hoppa can return to being the guy he was at Manly. Des does get players fit and disciplined and Hoppa seemed to thrive under him.

Agree Barry. Couple of my bulldog fan mates are filthy about getting Hoppa when centres like Roberts, Jennings, Hiku were on the market. What are your thoughts?

Would be even better if Jennings learnt to pass the ball :-)

Cheers...I deliberately said managing their TPAs rather than accusing Parra of any sort of a rort. They also have a number of players in their squad who wouldn't be on much. It's very possible to put together a strong squad like this if TPAs are managed well. Surely they'll have to upgrade Radradra's deal if he has another season like last year. With the way Schubert was all over the Folau signing I'm sure the Eels aren't getting any favours from him.

I guess if the Roosters can do it then Parra can do it too :P

Hi Barry, Rads agreed to a 4 year deal at 250k a year beginning last year. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/semi-radradra-agrees-to-fouryear-deal-with-parramatta-eels/story-fni3ga7r-1226941883290 I also think there is some sort of discount for signing union players. Also Mannah would make the club entitled to long serving player discount. With Ian Schubert working as a consultant on all things salary cap related at parra I'm sure we are above board, and starting the season on nil points.

Parra must be utilising their TPAs very effectively. Watmough on big money, Foran on a mill plus a year. Radradra would be off the charts for a winger. Seasoned veterans like Scott, Jennings, Gordon, Norman, Mannah don't come cheap.

It's a pretty impressive squad you have there Parrafan

Devastating.