NOW Daniel Mortimer is locked up until the end of 2012, the Eels will pull out all stops to try and secure the signatures of Feleti Mateo and Kris Keating - but Krisnan Inu will be shown the door.
Questions were immediately raised yesterday about the remaining Parramatta players off contract now Mortimer's $500,000 two-year deal - along with the re-signings of Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt and Fuifui Moimoi - had all taken a huge chunk out of the salary cap.
It seems almost impossible for Parramatta to keep their full roster intact and stay under the cap. The Daily Telegraph understands that releasing Inu will be one way to ease the headache.
Officials have already started talks with Mateo and Keating, but nothing will be finalised before Friday's NRL opener against the Dragons.
Eels chief executive Paul Osborne last night said the club was keen to retain all three players, despite growing interest from rival clubs.
"This is a good deal for Daniel, but not a super deal financially, [after all] he's only played 18 games," Osborne said. "Obviously some other blokes can earn more money elsewhere, but it's a case of how much more. We're ready to talk to the guys we want to keep and we'll be speaking with Feleti and the two Krises."
Coach Daniel Anderson was delighted Mortimer's deal had been completed before the season kick-off, but also aware other deals were "bubbling along at their own pace".
Anderson refused to say if Keating or Jeff Robson would start at No. 7 on Friday. Mateo is one of the game's most exciting players when firing, while Keating has impressed all the right people during the pre-season after an injury-plagued 2009. Inu, along with Mateo, has attracted interest from the Bulldogs.
As for Mortimer, the 20-year-old signed a new two-year extension with an option for a third year.
After spending the weekend in Wagga, Mortimer said "unfinished business" with the Eels was a big reason for staying put. Parramatta's greatest-ever No. 6, Brett Kenny, said the prized signing was top news for the Eels and Mortimer was the kind of player the club could build a side around.
"His second season will be very important. It remains to be seen how he will get through this year, but if he goes OK there's a big future for him and he can lead the side to bigger and better things," Kenny said.
Another club legend, Ray Price, who attended the Parramatta Town Hall announcement, said: "The dream is just starting [for Mortimer] and so is his journey.
"Parra is in for long trip and a very successful one and I think Daniel will be a big part of it."
Interestingly, one player disappointed by the news was Bulldogs playmaker Brett Kimmorley.
"In the end it was probably too hard for Daniel to leave Parra, and I can understand his reasons why," Kimmorley said. "I would have loved to have seen him here because he's such a good player. 'Kevy' [coach Kevin Moore] was pushing to play another year with him."
I would prefer to see this guy in our centres with Matai
Questions were immediately raised yesterday about the remaining Parramatta players off contract now Mortimer's $500,000 two-year deal - along with the re-signings of Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt and Fuifui Moimoi - had all taken a huge chunk out of the salary cap.
It seems almost impossible for Parramatta to keep their full roster intact and stay under the cap. The Daily Telegraph understands that releasing Inu will be one way to ease the headache.
Officials have already started talks with Mateo and Keating, but nothing will be finalised before Friday's NRL opener against the Dragons.
Eels chief executive Paul Osborne last night said the club was keen to retain all three players, despite growing interest from rival clubs.
"This is a good deal for Daniel, but not a super deal financially, [after all] he's only played 18 games," Osborne said. "Obviously some other blokes can earn more money elsewhere, but it's a case of how much more. We're ready to talk to the guys we want to keep and we'll be speaking with Feleti and the two Krises."
Coach Daniel Anderson was delighted Mortimer's deal had been completed before the season kick-off, but also aware other deals were "bubbling along at their own pace".
Anderson refused to say if Keating or Jeff Robson would start at No. 7 on Friday. Mateo is one of the game's most exciting players when firing, while Keating has impressed all the right people during the pre-season after an injury-plagued 2009. Inu, along with Mateo, has attracted interest from the Bulldogs.
As for Mortimer, the 20-year-old signed a new two-year extension with an option for a third year.
After spending the weekend in Wagga, Mortimer said "unfinished business" with the Eels was a big reason for staying put. Parramatta's greatest-ever No. 6, Brett Kenny, said the prized signing was top news for the Eels and Mortimer was the kind of player the club could build a side around.
"His second season will be very important. It remains to be seen how he will get through this year, but if he goes OK there's a big future for him and he can lead the side to bigger and better things," Kenny said.
Another club legend, Ray Price, who attended the Parramatta Town Hall announcement, said: "The dream is just starting [for Mortimer] and so is his journey.
"Parra is in for long trip and a very successful one and I think Daniel will be a big part of it."
Interestingly, one player disappointed by the news was Bulldogs playmaker Brett Kimmorley.
"In the end it was probably too hard for Daniel to leave Parra, and I can understand his reasons why," Kimmorley said. "I would have loved to have seen him here because he's such a good player. 'Kevy' [coach Kevin Moore] was pushing to play another year with him."
I would prefer to see this guy in our centres with Matai
