Inside the player negotiations that have brought Eels to a standstill
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_144%2C$height_144/t_crop_fill/q_86%2Cf_auto/781f7a16cafe800fcc64fb756b16fc18cd9baf9d 2x" alt="Michael Chammas" width="72" height="72" />By Michael Chammas
The impasse in contract negotiations with half a dozen of Parramatta’s star players has provided the club with an opportunity to rectify a weakness that many believe separates them from the best teams in the competition.
Experts and fans alike have pointed to the absence of a genuine superstar in their roster as the Eels’ Achilles heel.
Xavier Coates is well aware of the legacy that the former Storm wingers have created at the club and is willing to knuckle down over pre-season to form his own.
And if they spend their entire salary cap to retain the likes of Isaiah Papali’i, Clint Gutherson, Marata Niukore, Reed Mahoney, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo, the lack of star power will remain.
Since the overhaul of the club’s previous administration following the salary cap saga of 2016, the Eels have been conservative in their spending.
The checks and balances in place, often ridiculed by frustrated player agents trying to squeeze every last cent out of a club once notorious for over-spending, has ensured they have one of the most balanced rosters in the competition.
There was a time not so long ago that playing finals football in four out of five seasons was more than good enough for a club whose years of failure had seen them become the laughing stock of the league.
https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.158%2C$multiply_0.8862%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_9%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/8a98015b7994b77fdd2c0a8250a76d5de43deedf 2x" alt="The Parramatta Eels have a number of key players coming off contract." width="335" height="224" />The Parramatta Eels have a number of key players coming off contract.CREDIT:NRL PHOTOS
But is it time for the goalposts to change? Should the Eels take a calculated risk in an attempt to break the longest premiership drought in the NRL?
Kalyn Ponga is sitting in Newcastle ripe for the picking. According to sources with knowledge of his contract, he is free to negotiate for 2023 despite suggestions he could only do so if he has won a premiership with Newcastle.
Why Parramatta didn’t pick up the phone on November 1 to sound out the player at the very least suggests their fear of failure may outweigh their desire for success.
Ponga is not worth more than Nathan Cleary and Tom Trbojevic but perhaps in breaking the bank for him, or someone of his calibre, they could become to Parramatta what Cleary and Trbojevic are to their respective clubs.
The Sydney Roosters took a similar leap of faith in 2018 when they moved on club favourite for Mitchell Pearce for Cooper Cronk, a sacrifice which yielded back-to-back premierships.
Perhaps the Eels don’t want to disrespect skipper Clint Gutherson, who is now believed to be mulling over a two-year extension worth between $1.5million -$1.6m.
It would explain why they have remained tight-lipped over his contract negotiations despite several barbs from Gutherson’s agent in the media.
But as captain of the club, wouldn’t he welcome - even at the cost of shifting to the centres or five-eighth, the addition of a player who transforms Parramatta from pretender to contender?
Parramatta are walking on eggshells in negotiations. From the outside it appears they are being held to ransom. They don’t want to disrespect, overspend or overcommit.
They have found themselves in a similar situation to the Wests Tigers when the big four of Luke Brooks, James Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Mitchell Moses came off contract under the same manager in the same year. We all know how that played out.
Veteran agent Sam Ayoub is controlling the destiny of Gutherson, Mahoney and Paulo. He has a strong hand and is within his rights to leverage the situation to get the best deal for all his clients.
Unfortunately, the best financial outcome may come at the expense of upsetting the fans, who struggle to comprehend why all players don’t share the same win-at-all-costs mentality they possess.
Paulo and Mahoney could do worse than learn from Gutherson’s missteps during his last contract negotiation, which soured his relationship with the once-adoring Eels supporters.
Parramatta appear willing to call Ayoub’s bluff on potential interest from rival clubs because they believe they would be harming their premiership chances by paying more than their current offer. They are hoping Gutherson sees it the same way.
It’s also unlikely a deal will be done with Mahoney or Paulo until Gutherson’s future is sorted. Mahoney, considered a future captain of the club, has been offered to Queensland teams for $700,000.
It’s safe to assume the Eels aren’t comfortable spending that much money on the hooker but do not want to lose him. The same goes with Paulo, who is telling those close to him that he wants to stay.
Unlike Gutherson, the Eels know there is plenty of interest from rival clubs for Papali’i’s services.
He still has one more year to run on his deal in 2022 worth $200,000. The Eels are willing to bump that up closer to $300,000 next year and have offered him an extension for 2023 and 2024 worth around $425,000 a year.
That offer has since been rejected by his manager, Daniel O’Loughlin, who has fielded strong expressions of interest from the Tigers, who are believed to be willing to spend $600,000 on luring the Kiwi to their club.
There is an argument that Papali’i owes the club for offering him a lifeline and should take unders to repay that faith.
The counterargument suggests that debt was paid in the quality of service the back-rower provided last year at a bargain rate.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s manager has already indicated the prop is keen on exploring the possibility of joining Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins, opting against triggering an option in his contract to stay at the Eels.
While speculation has also been rife this week that Niukore will struggle to turn down a lucrative deal with the Warriors that has left the Dragons resigned to missing out on his services.
Ryan Matterson’s future appears up in the air with suggestion the Eels could move him on, while Dylan Brown has also been linked with a move to a rival club in 2023 given he has an option in his favour.
There are enough moving parts for the Eels to land a huge blow. Whether it be Ponga, Cameron Munster or waiting to see if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck can crack it in rugby union - the Eels will have the cap space to land a big fish when the time is right if they play their cards right.
In this year’s finals series, Parramatta was the only team in the top eight that didn’t have a million-dollar player.
It’s not to suggest there is anyone in their current roster that deserves that money, but re-signing the incumbents is the safe option that at the least guarantees more of the same.
But as the players mull over respective offers and consider their future, Parramatta would be well advised to do the same.
Replies
Raises a fair point. Ponga in a decent team like the eels would go to a new level
I live in newy no to pinga
No no no no no no I know many publicans up here
no no
its Canadian club 2.3
Ponga is highly overrated
I agree. If I could pick a top 30 for my club and I could pick any players in the NRL I wouldn't have him.
He strikes me as someone who isn't really all that committed to being a marquee level player, has never lived up to all the hype.
I hear Bennett is offering him 1.4mill to be the Dolphins marquee man - I reckon they could spend that sort of money alot more wisely..
Bennett would probably get his potential out of him wheras Newcastle's coach from Wish.com has no idea what he's doing. Benny ain't stoopid.
Ha, too funny . I just realised I know Paps manager. I thought Daniel only had yawnion players the sneaky roller blading fucker has never said a word.
Knowing this it would not shock me to see him end up at somewhere left feild like Easts.
If your paying an extra 100K for Ponga over GUTHO I would say get him. He is a game breaker. Buckleys though..... Never heard anything negative about him but I suppose NEWY is a town that keeps its secrets
Canadian club 3.0
well known party boy like Corey
nope no nah
Ponga is a myth.
A good individual player but not a good team player.
I know a lot of people are down on Gutho but he is one of, if not the best defensive fullback in the NRL.
He is also a great support player and sets up tries.
Yes he isn't as quick as Turbo but he is no slouch.
When ever a break is made he is always there backing up to score the try or set someone else up to score.
I would have aimed at 750k but not unhappy if he costs an extra 50k
I would take Guth at 800k over Ponga at 900k-1mil every day.
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