PARRA'S TOP 25 - LISTED TODAY - Eels Blogs

The much anticipated "NRL Official Information Handbook 2017 Season Guide" hit the shelves today at all good Newsagencies listing all clubs squads. This annual book is accurate and is published by the NRL whom register and hold each players employment contact.

As we know the NRL top 25 squad is based on the monetary value of the players contact, not on form, not on selection and not on seniority or reputation. The base salary that was included in the NRL top 25 last season was 83.5K, and it is my understanding the NRL top 25 base salary has increased to 85K this season. A second tier player outside the NRL top 25 earns less then this amount.

We also know that a second tier player (who earns less than 85K) is restricted on how many games they can play in the NRL due to the way the second tier cap is structured. On average a second tier player will be restricted to around 4 to 6 games a year in top grade, unless a top 25 player suffers a serious long term injury and the NRL issues salary cap dispensation to that club.

Three (3), 2016 Parra players have been upgrade (pay rise) and they are French, King and Kaysa Pritchard, who were all outside the NRL top 25 last year.

Three (3), 2016 Parra players have been demoted (pay reduction) and they are Hasson, Folau and Robson, who were all inside the NRL top 25 last year.

Hasson, Folau, Robson, Fogarty, O'Brien, Smith, Twal, Tanginoa, Morris, Woods, Tuha, Schulte, Nelson, Niukore are all second tier, earning under 85K.

We have ten (10) new top 25 players (40%) this season, which is significant.

I don't remember having 3 top 25 hookers in the past, if at all and they are - De Gois, King & Kaysa Pritchard. Plenty of competition for these three players.

I have listed our top 25 NRL squad in their respective positions for ease of reading:-

1. French

2. Radradra - Faraimo

3. M.Jennings - Auva'a

4. Takarangi - G.Jennings

5. Hoffman

6. Gutherson

7. Norman

8. Mannah - Brown

9. De Gois - K.Pritchard - King

10. Matagi - Vave - Alvaro

11. Ma'u - Terepo - Gower

12. Moeroa - Edwards - F.Pritchard

13. Scott

"HFK, Fair point. Sure, we could. But balancing incoming youth with experience is almost a perennial issue. A constant cycle. It never really goes away. At least not for too long. "

Replies

Thooper Dooper Maltese Sparrow February 13, 2017 at 6:17pm

Thanks Dave and in particular, how you posted it in positions etc.
Looks pretty good to me and about what I expected.
- Big Dave > Thooper Dooper Maltese Sparrow February 13, 2017 at 6:23pm
  
  Thanks mate. As King has been promoted there is probably some truth in the newspaper talk that he is our new starting hooker.
Wizardssleeves official receipts February 13, 2017 at 6:17pm

Actually a bit of a sad looking squad . Sorry no confidence this year .

Hope I'm wrong
- Thooper Dooper Maltese Sparrow > Wizardssleeves official receipts February 13, 2017 at 6:21pm
  
  Yes it's a big year for BA. He has learnt from the Choc and Foran fiasco's that signing big names is not the way to go? He has signed good players without being big names and it's time to see if he can lift them to the next level and I reckon that he can?
- Big Dave > Wizardssleeves official receipts February 13, 2017 at 6:24pm
  
  If our spine stay healthy and are playing well we will be competitive. A lot of pressure will be on Norman.
Ding Dong The Witch is Dead February 13, 2017 at 6:20pm

Great stuff Dave ..!
Big Dave February 13, 2017 at 6:25pm

I thought ten (10) new top 25 players was a massive roster overall but Manly have twelve (12).
- colin hussey > Big Dave February 13, 2017 at 7:02pm
  
  I'm not unhappy with the squad although there is likely question marks on the left wing spot with Semi's court case reset for May, after his former partner appeared today and some of the allegations shown on the TV news do not sound good.
  
  I have a question mark over Faraimo also
Ron February 13, 2017 at 6:33pm

Faraimo :'(
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > Ron February 13, 2017 at 7:23pm
  
  Troll.