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Parramatta has a massive 22 players off contract at the end of next year, well more than any other club. Ordinarily, that would leave you in a position of being able to pick and choose any of the players you really wanted to keep and forsaking those that you didn't.

However, Parramatta's large number of off-contract players comes as a result of signing most of its fringe players to one-year contracts.

Most significantly the Eels have three key players, who ideally they would be basing their future roster around. Junior Paulo, Nathan Peats and Corey Norman.

Already Paulo has reportedly drawn big offers from elsewhere. As a half, Norman is going to attract plenty of interest and Nathan Peats, as a NSW prospect is also going to demand more money.

It wouldn't be outrageous to suggest the Eels are going to have to find well in excess of half a million and perhaps even up to a million in their cap to retain just those players, and that's not counting the retention of players like Danny Wicks and Daniel Alvaro.

Certainly, we won't find that money through letting go other off-contract players, the majority of which are on low-end or second tier deals. Probably only Michael Gordon and to a lesser extent Isaac De Gois represents any possible savings.

In that case, the likely scenario is we're going to lose at least one of the three. The Eels appear to be getting ready for that prospect. The club recruited Cameron King when it already had three genuine hooking options (albeit one who is young and injury prone and another coming to the end of his career). Mitch Cornish has the potential to fill a hole that could be left if Corey Norman departs. An we've further strengthened our front row ranks with Rory O'Brien and Matthew Woods despite having the likes of Alvaro and Twal coming through the system.

Perhaps the only real possibility of retaining the three is to use any money that would appear to be the Hopoate/Seffa Paulo funds to upgrade and extend those players. On the flipside of that equation, if a quality centre option emerges it is going to be difficult to turn that down.

So what to do? Sacrifice one of the three but go into next year knowing you may be one key player short of actually giving the comp a shake. Or do you take a longer term view and try and retain as many of these key players as possible.

If I had to guess, I think Peatsy will be the one we'll struggle to keep or perhaps be most willing to let go.

I reckon you'd be surprised just how small Peats is. He's one tough bloke playing as he does.
Phil, I reckon you'll see those re-signings in order of priority. So I'm tipping something to happen with Junior and Norman before the season starts. They might wait a while longer on Peats, but I reckon we'll get an inkling fairly early on. Alvaro made a choice to take a one year deal to prove himself further and he is very much liked by the coaching staff (as you know from BA's speech on the medal night). Wicks loves Parra and BA. I reckon it's our call there.
There needs to be upgrades for the likes of Manu, Semi, Tepai and possibly Kenny Edwards. I reckon that will be taken care of.
As for many of the other one year deals, unless they turn out to be something out of the box, I don't think there'll be a huge rush. If the blokes earn it, a contract will come from us or another club. I don't think we can keep them all, but then again we've got a few blokes running around for Wenty who might move on. If we were all to hazard a guess I reckon we'd come up with the same three or four.
Phil, I'd reckon 6 or 7 contracted players might be gone at the end of 2016. Not only from the perspective of not being able to retain everyone you've got, but also because we will probably enter the player market for recruits again.

"There was a heap of rumours we were. I'm am sure there is something in those rumours based on our squad. It made sense we were chasing a winger/centre. It's just sad it didn't happen and now we find ourselves in a mighty mess. But it does seem like…"

Replies

eels_brad November 5, 2015 at 2:49am

But but, what about when JH comes back?..
the Eggman November 5, 2015 at 4:07am

Then you look at the rosters of the top teams and compare with ours and wonder why they never seem to have these issues,it's simple re-sign them all and then buy another state of origin rep as well.
Bup November 5, 2015 at 5:29am

Keep Junior, the other two are easier to replace. Both Norman and Peats are both missing key components in their arsenal which is required from players in their position. I see Norman as a ball runner not a ball player although he envisages otherwise. As for Peats I see him as a backrower albeit smaller, he reminds me so much of Wayne Pearce . Both smaller men who defensively hit harder then ther size suggests.Pearce had more of a running game though.
- sixtiesboy > Bup November 5, 2015 at 5:58am
  
  I reckon you'd be surprised just how small Peats is. He's one tough bloke playing as he does.
  Phil, I reckon you'll see those re-signings in order of priority. So I'm tipping something to happen with Junior and Norman before the season starts. They might wait a while longer on Peats, but I reckon we'll get an inkling fairly early on. Alvaro made a choice to take a one year deal to prove himself further and he is very much liked by the coaching staff (as you know from BA's speech on the medal night). Wicks loves Parra and BA. I reckon it's our call there.
  There needs to be upgrades for the likes of Manu, Semi, Tepai and possibly Kenny Edwards. I reckon that will be taken care of.
  As for many of the other one year deals, unless they turn out to be something out of the box, I don't think there'll be a huge rush. If the blokes earn it, a contract will come from us or another club. I don't think we can keep them all, but then again we've got a few blokes running around for Wenty who might move on. If we were all to hazard a guess I reckon we'd come up with the same three or four.
  Phil, I'd reckon 6 or 7 contracted players might be gone at the end of 2016. Not only from the perspective of not being able to retain everyone you've got, but also because we will probably enter the player market for recruits again.
Blue and gold 4ever November 5, 2015 at 5:59am

I think retention of all these players will came down to how well the team performs next year. If peats has another season on on the sidelines injured than its not worth keeping him. Norman's family are from qld. The Titans did make enquirers about Norman for next year. Junior Paulo is a parra junior. He is a must keep. However this Canberra rumour will not go away
- Ham Sammich > Blue and gold 4ever November 5, 2015 at 7:10am
  
  What QLD club would afford Norman and have top 25 space for him? Titans now have 3 halves on their books in Kane Elgey, Tyrone Roberts, and Ash Taylor. Cowboys have JT, Morgan, Thompson and then coming up they have Kaelyn Ponga. Broncos have Hunt, Milford and Nikorima.
  
  Don't worry mate Steve Sharp and Tom Issa along with everyone involves will sort it all out.
Alan Hunt November 5, 2015 at 6:06am

Junior Paulo is must, followed by Norman and then Peats, i love Peatsy but the crazy little SOB is fearless and plays way above his weight. Same as Prichard no wonder they can't complete a season. We are really due some luck in the injuries department. But i would rather our spine locked up long term and best young frontier rower running around before we chase a big name centre with the money.
Enforcer Eel November 5, 2015 at 6:15am

If these big 3 are in BA future plans, then we need to get in and sign them earlier rather then later, before their value increases and their agents start fielding other offers.

Think Norman is the first priority of the 3. Think Titans would be his only other option for him, couldn't see him going to another Sydney club. As Brisbane and Cowboys halves are set.
Kurupt November 5, 2015 at 6:41am

Sign Jr early.
See how Norman goes with Foran, the Broncos were right, dude is a fullback.
Peats = can afford to lose him.
Nick November 5, 2015 at 6:44am

Paulo is the best young front rower in the game. He must be retained. Norman would be next. He's a good running player and despite what Bup thinks his passing game is top notch going left and right. Peats does not deserve an upgrade. Hasnt been durable, attack has been one dimensional, despite recognising this fault, super tackler with big heart however. Peats is playing for the same money. Not an upgrade. And if it came to the crunch and money was needed from another player, i'd let Peats go now.