Paulo A luxury we can't afford

So after some thinking I've come to the decision that Paulo will be moved on and leaving may be in the clubs best interests.

Having RCG and junior has been a blessing but interests of cap management having 2 highly paid quality front rowers can only upset the balance of the cap especially when you look at the young depth below them.

Kauafasi,Greig, Makatoa, Rodwell,Hollies all have been developed over time a player like Oregon will warrant an upgrade aswell.

Maybe investing large in Paulo will cost us a good young forward or 2 aswell as cap space to secure the quality back we are desperately in need off.

So whilst I still hope Junior stays I think it might not be the catastrophic event some here and in the media will predict.

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • It's all good to say it's a luxury we can't afford bit who do you replace him with?, unless you replace him with another rep quality front rower in that $600-700k per year range then we can't afford to lose him.

    None of those young front rowers you named are going to be anywhere near as good as jnr,  kaufusi probably has the biggest upside but even he couldn't hold down a permanent bench spot last season. 

    • Saddens me to say it, but Kaufusi is one head knock away from retirement. 

      • I am not sure that punters like us on here can make decisions of what we can and cannot afford.

        People that actually know the numbers will make that and again I find it hard to believe there is not a sponsor out there willing to go a 100k for some publicity and personal appearances by Junior.

        I accept the payment ceiling to an extent but when you make rules, they never work, because inevitably you/ we will need to break them.

        I have been a great supporter of this board and the discipline's they are bringing in, but good management involves flexibility. Amongst such flexibility is the obvious need to open TPA's.....yes I know all the bullshit but they are easily accessible, especially when you have the largest city outside of the capitals to influence a prospective sponsor.

        Get it done Parra!

        • PS Krupty, has Kaufusi (Oregon) ever not played because of HIA....I can only think of him starting and finishing after about 30 seconds, but he played next round.

          There is a picture on TCT as we talk, looks like an absolute "brick shithouse".

          • That pic of Oregon shows a different player to this past season, he has certainly bulked up but not in the fat area, his only issue I found with him was the aspect of him being similar to Kaiser with the kamikazi runs, which often meant a dropped ball.

            Should we keep Jnr, Oregon will be a very handy replacement for him or RCG.

        • If you're only thinking in terms of like-for-like replacements you're not seeing the full picture. Paulo's cap space could be used anywhere in the top 17. There's no rule saying we need to replace him with another middle forward on the same money.

          • That is true, you could spread his salary across 5 guys, but those 5 guys don't necessarily give you what Junior gives you, individually or collectively. 

        • Couldn't agree more Poppa!

      • I hadn't noticed that his head was an hia magnet

    • Of course they're not going to be as good YET. The only way to become good or great is through opportunities on the field.

This reply was deleted.

More stuff to read

Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Triple M - eels not fazed if Lomax leaves.
"Due back at training this week but nothing confirmed on his future yet. NAS keen on joining Parra but eels need to create space. (Matterson lol)"
8 minutes ago
Eli Stephens posted a discussion
Listening to Journos pod, apparently Lomax is still mulling over whether to stay or leave for R 360. Eels apparently are not fazed if he decides to leave as it opens up cap space for other signings. Have to wait and see what happens 
13 minutes ago
Parra_Greg replied to ParraEels's discussion If you ever need a laugh
"Keaon Koloamatangi  lol the chance of this guy coming to our team is buckleys....With MON as our recruiment guru ...its beyond laughable ....its sad as we do have some potential as an emerging club and a great replacement for Jnr Paulo ....."
32 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Eels rated big winners in 2026 draw
"Well even Cavemen and Amoeba's deserve an education Chiefy.
Those two rocks my son were your ballls, I was trying to get them to drop!

 "
46 minutes ago
More…