Parramatta face salaray cap crisis that could force one grand final star out
Parramatta Eels are facing a salary cap crisis that could force at least one of their grand final stars to quit the club.
It is understood the Eels are committed to an extra $1.2 million in player payments next year.
The upgrading of Jarryd Hayne's contract on top of signing Justin Poore, Shane Shackleton, and Timana Tahu, plus upcoming contract negotiations with boom rookie Daniel Mortimer, will force the Eels to release at least one player.
And the club could be forced to shed more of the grand final squad with former Parramatta coach Michael Hagan declaring the Eels must poach Test halfback Johnathan Thurston to break the club's 13-year premiership drought.
Eels CEO Paul Osborne said o Monday that while the club was hopeful of retaining all their stars, they were resigned to the possibility of players leaving.
"I understand a few blokes are looking around informally," he said.
Parramatta were struggling near the bottom of the table when the club launched an $870,000 shopping spree that landed NSW Origin front-rower Justin Poore, Roosters forward Shane Shackleton and former Eel Timana Tahu from rugby.
At the time there were doubts over the futures of Luke Burt, Eric Grothe and Nathan Cayless, who have all indicated they want to stay in the blue and gold.
Under the current contract structure, including Hayne's upgrade from $250,000 to $500,000 and Mortimer's rise from $40,000 to $150,000, the Eels will spend $4 million of the $4.1million salary cap on the bulk of Sunday's grand final squad with the addition of Poore, Shackleton and Tahu in 2010.
Osborne will backdate some of the contracts, with Hayne to be paid the bulk of his contract rise in the final three years, when money will be freed up after Nathan Cayless's contract expires next year.
While grand final lock Todd Lowrie has already agreed to link with Melbourne next year, Joe Galuvao has signed with Manly and interchange hooker Kevin Kingston has been forced out after the NRL refused his offer to repay $50,000 in match payments to stay next year, Eric Grothe and journeyman halfback Jeff Robson are expected to walk away.
Although Grothe declared on Monday "I will be here next year", the winger has struck financial troubles that may force him out of the NRL.
Grothe's manager has been seeking rugby deals in Japan and the UK.
"I am here next year," said Grothe, whose 45th-minute try gave the Eels a sniff of victory on Sunday."I'm waiting for an offer. Nothing has come through so I suppose I am here."
Strike centre Krisnan Inu led a plea on Monday to Osborne to retain the grand final squad.
Asked about Robson and Kingston, Inu said: "I hope they are going to be there. They are the heart and soul of the middle of the pack and for them to play the way they played all year you expect them to be there next year and help build the team to be stronger."
Inu said Robson must be rewarded for his role in guiding the Eels to their first grand final in eight years.
