Eels eye 800k target after Corey Norman’s move to the Dragons

Corey Norman’s exit to St George Illawarra in the coming days will hand Parramatta an $800,000 bonus to splash on post-Christmas player sales.But rather than rush out to buy a world class right centre to replace Jarryd Hayne, the answer to the Eels’ biggest dilemma heading into 2019 is potentially staring Brad Arthur in the face.The Daily Telegraph can reveal star recruit Blake Ferguson is now in the frame to make a shock switch from wing to centre.Ferguson was brought to the Eels to fill the massive void left by Semi Radradra but it is understood Arthur is weighing up where the rampaging 28-year-old would be most valuable.While Arthur would be reluctant to move Ferguson given his outstanding contribution on the wing for the Sydney Roosters, the Eels have a plethora of flank options including the likes of Bevan French, George Jennings, Josh Hoffman, Greg Leleisiuao and blockbusting 105kg Penrith recruit Maika Sivo.Parramatta Eels star Blake Ferguson at training. Picture: Benjamin CuevasObviously none would match Ferguson’s experience or impact, but there is also no better centre option available on the market.Getting Ferguson to take over Hayne’s role would serve another purpose, freeing up cash to chase another top notch front-rower after adding Junior Paulo to a pack that severely lacked punch in 2018.The Eels also need to give boom youngster Dylan Brown a significant upgrade to warn off interest from the New Zealand Warriors.Parra would have loved to have had the money available to have a crack at David Klemmer before he went to Newcastle and most likely Trent Merrin before he departed for the Super League.But that’s not to say another worthwhile investment won’t emerge sooner rather than later considering existing NRL’s contracts no longer seem to be worth the paper they are printed on.Teenage sensation Brown will be one of the big winners to come out of Norman’s exit. The 18-year-old is currently on a development contract but he will be fast-tracked into the top 30 squad.Dylan Brown is a big winner from Corey Norman’s Eels exit. Picture: Richard DobsonThe Eels are tossing up whether to partner Brown or Jaeman Salmon with Mitchell Moses in the halves. Salmon is facing an early season suspension for a recent low range drink driving charge that will give Brown first shot.The Daily Telegraph understands the Dragons have offered Norman a three-year deal worth about $600,000 for next year which will be topped up in 2020 by the money set aside for Gareth Widdop.Norman will most likely partner his former Brisbane Bronco teammate Ben Hunt in the Dragons’ halves with Widdop reverting to fullback for his final NRL season before heading back to England.While Matt Dufty is a terrific young player, Widdop is world class and Norman’s arrival definitely strengthens Paul McGregor’s squad, making the Dragons genuine premiership contenders.Corey Norman is set to leave the Eels to join the Dragons. Picture: AAPThe only sticking point that remains is Norman coming to a separation agreement with the Eels.While Norman’s estimated $600,000 salary for 2019 at the Dragons is way below the reported $940,000 he is on at Parra, the Eels will have covered two months of his wages by the time he departs, totalling almost $160,000.Understandably, that is why the Eels are baulking at forking out more to ensure the deal goes ahead.Parra already has about $200,000 put aside in the salary cap for next season, meaning they will be ready to strike with the best part of $800,000 if the right player becomes available in the New Year.The other position the Eels are skinny on is hooker but the club seems content with Kaysa Pritchard and young Reed Mahoney, while Will Smith can cover dummy half.

"Pops, we can talk about this for hours, lol. His carries, skill, and passion won’t be replaced like-for-like; he was our Haas-Coates lion-hybrid. Our Thor hammer as you say.
He needs to figure out what he actually wants to do. Boxing? French rugby?…"

"Yeah well he's gone and you're still blabbering on.
You can't prove the contract amount that Lomax signed on for, and it was stated he was on 800 at the dragons. Common sense says only a fool would think he'd sign here for 650. .
If he was on…"

"I am strongly of the view that losing Lomax is a disaster.
I have qualified the situation by implying there must be something we do not know?
With all the discussions taking place, especially along the lines of what Bluey said I came out and…"

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This reply was deleted.
- Chocolate Frog ♥ Ms Peppers Mint December 12, 2018 at 6:36pm
  
  Soon it will be 8 blogs on the same subject.
Gucci Flip Flops December 12, 2018 at 7:03pm

Of course we get that money after everyone good has already signed lol
Mac December 12, 2018 at 7:05pm

Well said from Fong, no one could ever accuse you of repeating yourself
Shawn peters December 12, 2018 at 7:42pm

A shock switch from wing to centre lol sorry couldn’t read the rest of it lol
Parrafanalia December 12, 2018 at 7:56pm

Well, here's your answer to your last paragraph! Go for broke for Cam Smith.He is the man that Parra need more than anybody else.
Give him 2 years which seems to be what he wants and give him a million for each year. Parra need "brains"running our football and he can
do it on and off the field.He can do a "Cronk"and be our coach on the field. Parra would recoup their in investment in just a couple of months with all the exposure he would create."He's the Man"
- fat albert > Parrafanalia December 12, 2018 at 8:26pm
  
  Just read same thing on a diff site
Kenny was the King December 12, 2018 at 8:14pm

"The other position the Eels are skinny on is hooker but the club seems content with Kaysa Pritchard and young Reed Mahoney, while Will Smith can cover dummy half"

And this sums up how clueless Arthur is why the Eels are wooden spooners... none of these are first graders! Mahoney has potential but still has a long way to go to prove himself. The other two have been tried... sooooo many times & failed, & failed, & failed!!!!
Minto Eel December 12, 2018 at 8:26pm

Brad Arthur, please don't start tinkering with players switching positions. Think back to when you separated Taka & Semi. Semi was top try scorer 2 years in a row & he scored SFA when partnered with M.J.

B.F was Dally M "winger of the year", not centre of the year. We need his kick-returns more than anything. He made more metres than any other player in 2018. Why would you not wanna use that in our team especially with our useless reserve-grade forward pack trying to get out of our own red zone?
Mad Max December 13, 2018 at 1:44pm

Can we just payout Arthur now, and grab Flanno!

This reply was deleted.

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