The Things We Don't Know

We've recently had many suggestions about selections that we'd like to see in first grade. As fans we are entitled to our opinions, but we do so without the full knowledge of many factors. There are certain factors that I know, and many that I don't, that form the basis of certain recent selections. They may also be the factors that determine whether you will see certain players in first grade this year.* Salary Cap - the second tier salary cap has played a big role in selections. Our early season injury crisis has pushed this cap and certain players can't be selected. It's just how it is. This will also mean that a talented youngster or two might not play. Wish all you like but it just isn't possible.* fitness levels. For various reasons this can change. Injuries that aren't enough to keep a player out but might restrict game time may then restrict match fitness. This is a challenging balancing act. If the player is rested, fitness deteriorates even more. Medical staff guide these issues. The player might be dropped to pick up match fitness - and this should not be seen as a mark against the player.* Off field issues - the things that we aren't aware of might tell the coaching staff where a players head is at. We only hear of the headline stuff. We have to consider the personal issues, not necessarily misbehaviour related, that the coaching staff would be managing.* Managing player development. We see promising performances in lower grades and see a future star that we want to see in first grade now. Coaching staff see a future star that they want to see in first grade for many years. It's their job to manage that. Sometimes a promising player can't even be moved up to Wenty without creating a cap issue.Bearing all of this in mind, such factors may not only prevent a players selection, they might also keep a player in first grade as there are no alternatives.So let's voice our opinions but let's also remember that there are these issues to deal with. The coaching staff may even agree with you but their hands may be tied. As we are not privy to these facts, heavy criticism of selections may be unjust.

"What I take away from that game is that the Eels spent the entire off-season learning how to completely forget how to play a first grade standard of football, and the evidence is the Eels' diabolically bad second half.
E = Error by Eels, RI = Ruck…"

Replies

Wile E. Coyote May 14, 2015 at 11:31am

So who is eligible to play in FG?
Matterson?
ZDC?
Lavaka?
Goodall?

I thought Matterson was in our top 25?
This reply was deleted.
- SuperEel 22 May 14, 2015 at 1:03pm
  
  Quite possibly. We can ask for dispensation from the NRL but that's usually only given if we've exhausted all options.
aveel May 14, 2015 at 11:35am

Things we do know:

Peats can play hooker for 80min

Isaac De Gois offers nothing for the 20odd mins he comes on

Peats offers nothing as a backrower when de Gois come on

Luke Kelly is not a first grader. In fact he has been bog average for Wenty.

Paulo is a reserve grader...It seems BA knows this now
sixtiesboy May 14, 2015 at 11:42am

This is the problem. It is a complex issue. I know a little about the impact of the cap on some selections eg Faraimo, but in the scheme of things I'm a layman. Perhaps someone here with more knowledge on specific players could enlighten us.
- aveel > sixtiesboy May 14, 2015 at 11:53am
  
  There are only a certain amount of players that can be used in 1st grade on the 2nd teir cap. Once a player on a second tier deal (eg Faraimo) plays first grade he is counted against the 2nd teir cap. From then on he can play as many games as needed without effecting the cap. If he has bonuses (such as games played) they count against the following years cap. Faraimo did not play many games last year so they wouldn't have much effect on this years cap.
  
  Hence I highly doubt Faraimo not being selected is due to the salary cap.
- Poupou Escobar > sixtiesboy May 14, 2015 at 12:26pm
  
  Correct. However Faraimo's recent extension (for 2016) might have a significant match payments component. So the more games he plays in 2015, the higher his cost under the cap for 2016. Note, this doesn't affect how much he gets paid next year, just how much he counts for under the cap. This is because match payments cap cost is based on the number of games played the previous year.
wee scotty May 14, 2015 at 12:22pm

Sixtiesboy you are always the voice of reason and have a calming affect when all around are losing their heads, keep up the good work
Richard Jackson May 14, 2015 at 12:31pm

What can I say Sixties, "Guilty as charged," but you already know we critisize or suggest team changes out of sheer frustration. And who can blame us! Still while we offer our input it says how much passion we have for our team, and one day in the future, when we're travelling much better, we'll quieten down and soak up all the complimentary commentary, graciously.
This reply was deleted.
- SuperEel 22 May 14, 2015 at 1:08pm
  
  I think your example with Morgan is what Sixties is addressing. Lavaka and Folau would be under the second tier cap, meaning the more they play, the more our cap is stretched. Whereas Morgan is a Top 25 player and thus him playing doesn't adversely affect the cap.
- SuperEel 22 May 14, 2015 at 1:18pm
  
  BTW I'm pretty sure Kelly is in the Top 25. Most teams will have a backup half in the Top 25

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