Gasiner returns to League
- Thread starter Fozz
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OXY-351
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- Oct 1, 2008
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Coxy said:
+1
So by using "backending" you can end up with a team for one partciualr year who is really over the salary cap if you averaged out those players wages over the life of their conracts, but they are "officially" under the cap because some players are getting paid less than they should be in that year.
How is that fair?
OXY-351
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- Oct 1, 2008
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m1c said:
While I can see your point and agree with it in principle, it doesn't take in to account that July-Sep is the most important part of the season.
What would stop a side from stacking their team for late in the season and the finals? With the current finals setup, the first half of a season is a waste of time anyway, so you could just play nuffies in the first 12 rounds, then grab some better players, on reduced contracts, for the latter half of the season and finals.
It's probably an unlikely scenario, but entirely possible given the current rules.
- Mar 4, 2008
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Slight problem with that is that very very rarely does a player of high quality become available late in the season for an immediate switch. Normally the NRL doesn't even register new contracts after June, I think, although they extended the deadline due to salary cap changes.
In your scenario, a club waiting for high profile players to finish the season would need a ton of luck. And for other clubs to release their stars mid season!
In your scenario, a club waiting for high profile players to finish the season would need a ton of luck. And for other clubs to release their stars mid season!
Fozz said:
Yes, but the possibility is still there under the current rules.
It would take a club actually managing to do this for the NRL to take action though.
The way I could see a club orchestrating it though is to talk to some star players and suggest they go to England next season, seek a release on compassionate grounds etc...then while there, around May, tell their English clubs they're "homesick" and want to return to Australia...and lo and behold, back ended contracts all round at club X!
Again, huge amount of coercion required, but it could work.
To be honest I think we are the last club that should be complaining about this. St George is the only team Gasnier wanted to play for, if he is willing to accept below market value for his services then that is his decision.
We have accommodated virtual origin teams up here with the WB and Brisbane living/lifestyle factors. It was a huge advantage for us and key to our dominance in the 90s and at the turn of the century. I fail to see the difference.
We have accommodated virtual origin teams up here with the WB and Brisbane living/lifestyle factors. It was a huge advantage for us and key to our dominance in the 90s and at the turn of the century. I fail to see the difference.
OXY-351
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Fozz said:
Yeah, I could see the problem with my scenario, and while unlikely, it's still possible given the rules.
The only reason no one is concerned about it happening is that it hasn't happened yet. As Coxy said, it wouldn't take too much to change this though. With all the cross code swithcing these days, it'll happen eventually.
What if June season Hunt, Folau, Sonny Bill Williams etc all decided they wanted to come back to league. Imagine pickign those 3 up in your team for $360K
OXY-351
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m1c said:
It's not that he's accepting below market value for his services that's the problem. I have no issue if someone wants to accept less money to stay/play somewhere they are happy. In fact, I applaude that. It's the fact they are backending his contract that's the issue here
I think it's a bit of damned if they do damned if they don't. Gasnier was only ever going to play for the Saints. It is more than likely he would have sat out the rest of the season if the NRL came out and said he could only play with Newcastle, given they're the only team who could afford his market value. It is a restriction of trade and the outrage would be 10x what it is now. I can only see positives in ensuring players like Gasnier, Hunt, Folau and SBW are on the field.
When you think of the alternative (above) I think the way it is now is much more ideal. However I think it is one of those situations where people will always be unhappy no matter what.
When you think of the alternative (above) I think the way it is now is much more ideal. However I think it is one of those situations where people will always be unhappy no matter what.
Hey I have no specific problem with Gasnier coming back to the Dragons, or that they do it for $120K for this season.
I just think the NRL needs to consider some guidelines to prevent a club using the same process to an unfair advantage. It's easily done, simply say a club can only register contract for a player not already registered for the current season, after the season starts.
That wouldn't stop $BW, K.Hunt, I$rael Folau or $auce Ga$nier coming back to league midseason, but it would stop them all coming back to the one club.
And it doesn't restrict players within the NRL being released from a club and signed by another (a la Michaels) to get an opportunity.
I just think the NRL needs to consider some guidelines to prevent a club using the same process to an unfair advantage. It's easily done, simply say a club can only register contract for a player not already registered for the current season, after the season starts.
That wouldn't stop $BW, K.Hunt, I$rael Folau or $auce Ga$nier coming back to league midseason, but it would stop them all coming back to the one club.
And it doesn't restrict players within the NRL being released from a club and signed by another (a la Michaels) to get an opportunity.
m1c said:
That's the whole point. It would be relatively easy for a club like the Broncos or Newcastle to underspend (as they have this year) and then midseason recruit 2 or 3 big names from Union or England and give themselves an advantage over the rest of the competition.
AFAIC, the Broncos have taken their advantage by signing Tronc from England.
The Dragons have taken theirs by signing Gasnier.
The Knights could have taken theirs by signing Buderus (but he's chosen to stay in England).
1 is enough IMO.
Professor47
NRL Player
- Mar 5, 2008
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'Backending' is rubbish. It is basically a loop hole in the system. The salary cap is 'supposedly' designed so if a situation like this arose (where a gun player is available on the market) the shitter teams are meant to have a chance to get them... in this case the Raiders or the Sharks snagging Gaz would have been a fair outcome... however the TOP team and the favs for the comp snagging Gaz???... Lockyer is absoultely right.... it isn't what the cap is designed for...
FTR I hate the cap as it is.
FTR I hate the cap as it is.
