A defiant Brad Arthur says his Parramatta players are determined to defy the odds and the salary cap scandal and make the finals.
Set to be stripped of their 12 competition points by the NRL for systemic salary cap breaches, the fifth-placed Eels were left with a flicker of hope for their 2016 season.
They can begin playing for points again as soon as they get their squad under the salary cap.
But they can only afford to lose another three games for the rest of the regular season if they are to reach the 28-point mark which has traditionally been the cut off for the top eight.
“We’re disappointed, the players are disappointed but there’s still hope for us,” Arthur said.
“There’s 15 games to go, we need to win 12 of them.
“We haven’t given up hope. At the start of the year, we wanted to be playing finals football but nothing’s changed.
“We’re really committed to making sure that can still happen.”
Arthur said he felt “sick in the guts” after being told of the club’s punishment but said the players had the fighting spirit to still play finals.
He pointed to their 20-12 win over Canterbury on Friday night when his side overcame a number of obstacles including the absence of ailing skipper Kieran Foran.
The Eels will also be helped out by a favourable draw, facing just six top eight sides in the final 15 weeks.
“This playing group has worked so hard, all pre-season they have trained so hard, had a bit of fun at the Auckland Nines, we’ve had a few tough games,” Arthur said.
“The Bulldogs game was the latest example of that – in the second half we had plenty of excuses to roll over and we didn’t.
“It’s really hard to take but it’s out of our hands.”
The club must now shed $570,000 worth of talent to get under the salary cap. The NRL will not allow the players to simply take a 10 per cent across-the-board pay cut to fit in under the cap.
Former representative back-rower Anthony Watmough could ease their salary cap woes if he heads into retirement because of injury.
If Watmough is granted an insurance payout, his salary will not count towards the cap.
Forward Junior Paulo is already signed for Canberra next year and could possibly go early.
Arthur admitted he had no idea how the club would get under the cap before next Friday’s clash with South Sydney.
“That’s for the club and the NRL to work out,” Arthur said.
“My job is to make sure I get the players ready to play.”
Joe
Roar Rookie
I'll give them a good chance of reaching the 8 given the team they have and the motivating factor. Also the opposition they'll be facing in the remaining weeks, I think they'll be playing a lot of the lower ranked teams. 12 of 15 is still a tough ask though.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The only thing that is black & white about this whole situation is that it occurred. What happens from here on is anybody's guess.
MAX
Guest
Brad Arthur has the equivalent of negotiating Aintree on the rank outsider. Craig Bellamy was able to keep his team intact. Brad has to dispose of $570,000 worth of contracted players and play without Foran. In all this chaos we should spare a thought for the wives and children of the players and officials. The school yard can be cruel place for the innocent. Lets hope they are free from bullying and inuendo.
Bup
Guest
I'd love to see the Eels put up a reward sharing in a million dollars for information leading to other clubs salary cap misdemeanours. The TPAs are a joke. The Broncos have over 2 million of them Parra $500,000 yeah fair comp you muppets. Let's get TPA totals out in the public domain and see how fair this comp is. You wanted the Eels to show transparency NRL time you did the same.Im sure I'll be deafened by your silence.
Ches
Guest
Watmough has already retired Morgan in process of moving to melbourne this season That would have to cover it already one would think. But the NRL is not being specific and that amount may already have Watmough deducted. Take it to court and an injunction will granted immediately. The NRL decision temporarily does not stand until case.. Nobody has to be fired before the next game. Week after if they decide to change their minds they can withdraw court proceedings. Simple.