Coach Brad Arthur admits he has no idea how Parramatta can squeeze their way under the NRL’s salary cap.
However, the retirement of injury-troubled forward Anthony Watmough could emerge as a key part of the solution.
In handing out sanctions against the Eels on Tuesday, which included stripping them of all 12 competition points earned so far in 2016, the NRL said the Eels were $570,000 over the cap for this season.
They must cut that back before they can compete for competition points again.
Arthur said he didn’t know 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.”
Three-quarter Ryan Morgan moved to Melbourne earlier this week to ease the Eels’ troubles somewhat. But it is Watmough, who is said to be on around $700,000 a season, who takes up a far-larger chunk of Parramatta’s salary cap.
Watmough has two seasons after this one remaining on his Eels deal after joining the club last year. However, a chronic knee problem has him on the verge of retirement.
If the former representative forward is taken off the Eels’ books, that could ensure the club is salary cap compliant.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said it was something that could be looked into but would have to be signed off by the governing body.
“We would deal with that on its merits,” Greenberg said.
“There are provisions within the rules to deal with players who retire early due to medical conditions.
“The salary cap auditor has to be provided with all the medical certificates and he has to be certain that that is bona fide.”
However, Greenberg warned things might not be that simple for the Eels.
“The salary cap is a complex tool; it is not as simple as just moving a player,” he said.
The NRL ruled out Eels’ players taking across-the-board pay cuts to allow the club to drop below the cap.
That would not fall under the players’ nominal fee requirements, their worth as players as determined by the game’s governing body.
pete bloor
Guest
They'd just have to get down to that number now. So instead of the 500k they'd have to drop 1m. Saying that if they get under the cap all is good doesn't take into account the option value they had, the distortion on the cost of players other teams have had to pay or the prior benefits.
pjm
Roar Rookie
I remember saying what a terrible buy Watmough was for Parramatta as he was past his best and constantly injured. I was then howled down by more than a few people, if only I had the inclination to track down that post.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think they'll have to pass on that offer. On a brighter note it looks like they've signed Josh Ado-Carr for the next 3 seasons. If Koroibete leave's he'll be a very capable replacement...if he stays Storm will have the fastest wing pairing in the NRL.
Tom G
Guest
There is no way that Watmoughs current problem was a training injury. He's been hobbling around for ages and video of his last season at Manly is testament to the fact. The 4 year deal on overs was SuperCoach Arthurs means of getting Foran pure and simple. The geniuses in the Eels front office felt that they could mitigate the risk of the massive deal with insurance. Unless the insurance company CEO is a big Eels fan they're likely to be less than cooperative I would think. I find it amazing that all and sundry gave such high praise for Arthur when he was pretty close to a whole heap of the signings... How then is he so distant from this fiasco?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
There are rules. The club cannot have any involvement in the transaction. Whether it being guaranteeing the TPA, or provide goods or services to the company the TPA is with.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's an interesting idea though I'm not sure what that would mean for this year. Dilemmas all over the place!
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
You're welcome to Matt's brother, Jono...
pete bloor
Guest
Hope it isn't with Comminsure
pete bloor
Guest
Couldn't they force them to carry the breaches as "dead" money on their cap in the future?
catcat
Guest
Hmm so if Radradra could get offers to go to Rugby - but then be poached back to league as a Marquee player by the eels and funded by the NRL war chest to the tune of $570,000 - hmm got a solution, going to the board (eels board). :P
Joe
Roar Rookie
"Watmough the key to Eels finals chances"...now there's a sentence I bet nobody would have thought remotely possible at the beginning of the season! Where are all the Watmough haters now...ha! ; ) On a serious note, why on earth did Melbourne Storm buy Ryan Morgan?? The guy can't tackle at all.....sure they managed to have a part success with Ben Roberts but Morgan!? I know they're desperately short of outside backs but was hoping for something more like a Mathew Wright who ended up with Manly...not a Ryan Morgan. Bellamy better be ready to put all his coaching talent into this project.
Parrafan
Guest
It's great PR Chui. Honestly I have no idea and will leave it up to the professionals to determine that.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Given the realities and limits the NRL operates under, I think the penalties they are proposing are quite good ones. They seem as fair as they can be given the many masters the NRL has to serve.
Tony
Guest
If only the Doggies got caught earlier in 2002, we might have won the comp.
pete bloor
Guest
That's my head scratcher on this. In codes with drafts we see teams tanking just to get a shot at better draft picks. This punishment seems like an easy and obvious route to building a good team. Bring in massive front ended illegitimate TPA's and then come clean next year with a scape goat CEO and a few board members taking the blame and then moving into high paying roles elsewhere in the old boys network. The TPA's have rolled off so you are no longer over the cap and yet there is your roster set for years to come. Simply rinse and repeat as the roster ages.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Titans & Knights
Fiddlesticks
Guest
Not if you believe he great James hooper who said semi just to create a story
Chui
Guest
Only if it's a new injury. Insurance companies aren't known for their charity work. Do you really believe the line about Beau Scott causing the 'new' injury in the pre season.
Parrafan
Guest
If Watmough is medically retired insurance pays out the balance of his contract. Rads signed in 2014 on a reported $250k deal over 4 years commencing 2015, so wouldn't provide much cap relief.
The Barry
Roar Guru
How much is Radradra on? If he goes to French or Japanese rugby there will be no top up payments required from the Eels. Parra has a pretty good history of unearthing good young wingers. I'd imagine Watmough won't make it easy for the Eels. He has a four year contract worth $700k a season and doesn't really owe the club anything.