It was recently pointed out on the Cartwright blog that BA does not make the final signing decisions and that responsibility lies solely with o'Neil. Can someone please explain the signing process as I don't really understand how it currently works.
In light of the number of 1 year signings recently, the lack of signing a marquee player and the reported friction between O'Neil and BA, can we still say that it's BA's team or rather a team put together by a committe of which BA has a voice, but not the final decision?
Replies
EggZackly.
Unless u r actually a part of the process I don't think you will know exactly how it works. I like that the club things tclose to their chest. How it should be.
bet he is
The coach has a say in making reccomendations as to who he would like to sign and play for the club. The decision process if I understand it correctly there is also the football club board that is part of the process/decision making. The final negotiations and signing though is the responsibility solely on the shoulders of the General Manager of the Football side of the administration Mark O'Neil.
While I may be wrong I would say that the one year signings have been going on now for a few years, this year does appear to have more than a few but in the overall off contract players end of 2021 there are 13 eels players off contract, not including Cartwright. The other aspect that possibly goes into the decisions as to who to sign and who not is to have enough players that are generally at NRL standard that can cover injuries, having lost the amount of players we did this year, most of them really were on their last legs anyway, only know of a couple who have gone to other NRL clubs.
BA would have a say in who gets signed and the stories about BA and O'Neil not getting on are more than likely media crap. There were many people whinging when we were signing players to long contracts so I don't mind taking a risk on potential when the player has one season to show it. Yes we take the risk of having to pay a lot more if they do star but you just can't have it both ways ( when you are on a western Sydney Team Salary Cap ) In 2016 we were as low as it gets and there were a few regular cellar dwellers along side us. We have risen when most other still fight for the spoon so let's not be too hard on recrutment because it seems to be working fine.
Enjoy the Off Season and have Happy Thoughts.
This year has been crap but watching the Eels win 15 of 20 season games was FANTASTIC..