Anthony Watmough and Parramatta Eels headed for $1.2 million legal showdown over injury payout (Will it EVER end?)

ANTHONY Watmough and the Parramatta Eels are headed for a $1.2 million legal showdown, with the former Test forward prepared to return to pre-season training in order to receive his promised career-ending injury payout.Watmough was in shock this week when he discovered Parramatta is attempting to operate outside the Collective Bargaining Agreement by offering him a reduced figure, ‘significantly less’ than the value of his $1.2 million contract.Watmough was forced into premature retirement this season with a debilitating knee injury, just 12 months into his four-year deal, worth around $750,000 a season, with the Eels.Much to their frustration, the Eels have been forced to cover the seven-figure sum after QBE rejected any insurance payout last month by deeming Watmough’s injury as pre-existing.However, much to the 33-year-old’s surprise, he received a letter from Eels management stating their desire to pay him a lump-sum payment prior to October 31 — but not the full amount of around $1.2 million.The dispute arises over the final year of Watmough’s contract.The Eels have paid him in full for the 2016 and 2017 seasons but don’t believe they should pay him for the 2018 season because that is an option year.“(The option to play) was in his favour but the terms could not be performed,” Donnelly said. “It’s not like he can exercise his option to play. He can’t play.”Watmough has told close friends he will challenge Parramatta’s bid, even if it means returning to training in order to force the Eels to pay him.That would be disastrous for the Eels and the NRL’s controversial career-ending insurance scheme, as Watmough’s remaining 2017 and 2018 contract money would then be immediately added to the club’s salary cap.At this stage, any payout due to a career-ending injury has no impact on the club’s salary cap.But it would immediately become a cap issue if Watmough carried through his threat, although the more likely outcome is a costly and lengthy legal case.Having secured the likes of South Sydney’s Nathan Brown, Manly’s Sosaia Vave and Penrith’s George Jennings for 2017, the Eels simply haven’t budgeted for Watmough’s extra $1.2 million being added to their cap.The drama is yet another issue for the Eels to clean up following the club’s most tumultuous season in their history.Parramatta were stripped of 12-competition points due to a string of salary cap breaches.http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/eels/anthony-watmough-and-parramatta-eels-headed-for-12-million-legal-showdown-over-injury-payout/news-story/966c986005b951eb15cd15c5563e46da

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Replies

Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown October 6, 2016 at 11:56pm

Hahaha, well i guess this rules out the prospects of ever having choc around to help out Brad if Brad ever wanted him, sounds like theres obviously some bad blood here between choc and the management after this.

Sounds like Mad Max has found what he thinks is a legal loophole in the contract, will be interested to see how it pans out.

back when it happened id heard rumours we pushed choc into retirement and the extent of his injury and how it happened was questionable, he wasn't happy about it, there might be some interesting stuff to come out of this if it gets to court.
- Kurupt > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown October 7, 2016 at 12:06am
  
  Hopefully it can be sorted behind closed doors.
John Eel October 7, 2016 at 12:08am

it will be interesting to see how this pans out. You would think that this will be settled and not go to court. Would have to think that Max thought this through before going down this path. He must believe that he has some ground to push for some relief on the payout.

Any news about BG. He should be starting soon
Raid October 7, 2016 at 12:09am

Just read this.
Once again Mr one Paul Kent is all over this!
This guy is worse than nail fungal!
He just deosn't give up.
As for choc, he wants to come train then i expect he must play if the coach says so.
Nothing story i'd say.
Kent is still trying to keep us down although the petrol has finished he's running on fumes now!
Kurupt October 7, 2016 at 12:13am

I'd advise mr watmough to be reasonable and to work with the Eels on a suitable compromise.
With all the Eels and sea eagles fans hating you, well lets just say we don't need another depressed league player.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown October 7, 2016 at 12:15am

Theres strong whispers that Mad Max Donnelly challenged and called out Choc to a street fight in the leagues club carpark over this, i'll keep you updated on the fight.
realeel 86 October 7, 2016 at 12:18am

I'm with the club. He couldn't take the option year so why should they be obligated to pay him for something he may not have even taken anyway
Rise of an empire October 7, 2016 at 12:26am

I seen Arthur having a feed last night up the club here at bateau bay on the central coast. Must of thought it was a good time to get away from the media
- Kurupt > Rise of an empire October 7, 2016 at 12:56am
  
  Or he just went for a holiday in the school holidays.
- Yobz > Rise of an empire October 7, 2016 at 5:44am
  
  It's called the off season