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Go Will A massive payout to be included in parra's salary cap would fix parra's season. They might have to release their $1.3m half back
WILL Hopoate has moved on from Parramatta — but the Canterbury recruit could be coming back to bite his old club very soon.
That was the direct warning from Hopoate’s barrister Julieanne Levick as Parramatta potentially stared down the barrel of a massive payout to Hopoate and his legal team.
The contract dispute is due back in the Supreme Court this week and it has the potential to cost the Eels millions of dollars.
The outcome could also have further dire consequences for Parramatta because any payout to Hopoate is likely to be added to the Eels’ salary cap.
That could effectively force the club to shed players to meet its salary cap commitments.
“There will be a payout, there is no question about that,” Levick said.
“There is no avoiding that, the question is one of quantum.”
Will Hopoate has linked with Canterbury this season to play under his old Manly coach Des Hasler.
With the Eels already fighting to show the NRL why they should not be docked four competition points before the start of the season because of previous salary cap breaches, Hopoate is also chasing money relating to a three-year, $2 million-plus offer that was signed by Hopoate and returned to the club.
But because a subsequent NRL playing contract, also signed by Hopoate, was never lodged with the NRL, Parramatta’s defence has claimed that it did not constitute a “binding contractual agreement”.
Hopoate has linked with Canterbury this season to play under his old Manly coach Des Hasler, but Levick said Hopoate would not back away from his fight with Parramatta.
While it is unlikely the matter will be settled before the start of the new season — which kicks off when the Eels host the Broncos on Thursday week — Levick was adamant Hopoate would win his case.
“Will is out of pocket because he has had to settle for something significantly less late in the piece with the Bulldogs,” Levick said.
“Des is a wonderful coach and he has brought out the best in Will before and he will do it again, that’s for certain.
“(But) there is a process to be followed in the Supreme Court. The matter is now in the hands of the Supreme Court and that process must be respected.
“Justice needs to be seen to be done for Will Hopoate. A line needs to be drawn in the sand with Will. He has integrity and should be respected.”
Levick also acted on behalf of the players’ union for Robbie Farah in his dispute with the Wests Tigers, and she said this would be a test case for all players and clubs.
“Players have been reluctant to stand their ground and fight for their rights,” Levick said.
“Those days are gone. In the past players have just moved onto another club if there is a change to their contractual arrangement.
“They haven’t bothered to challenge a promise.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s/news-story/e79e2855405b4002f01d669c8ab0808e
WILL Hopoate has moved on from Parramatta — but the Canterbury recruit could be coming back to bite his old club very soon.
That was the direct warning from Hopoate’s barrister Julieanne Levick as Parramatta potentially stared down the barrel of a massive payout to Hopoate and his legal team.
The contract dispute is due back in the Supreme Court this week and it has the potential to cost the Eels millions of dollars.
The outcome could also have further dire consequences for Parramatta because any payout to Hopoate is likely to be added to the Eels’ salary cap.
That could effectively force the club to shed players to meet its salary cap commitments.
“There will be a payout, there is no question about that,” Levick said.
“There is no avoiding that, the question is one of quantum.”
Will Hopoate has linked with Canterbury this season to play under his old Manly coach Des Hasler.
With the Eels already fighting to show the NRL why they should not be docked four competition points before the start of the season because of previous salary cap breaches, Hopoate is also chasing money relating to a three-year, $2 million-plus offer that was signed by Hopoate and returned to the club.
But because a subsequent NRL playing contract, also signed by Hopoate, was never lodged with the NRL, Parramatta’s defence has claimed that it did not constitute a “binding contractual agreement”.
Hopoate has linked with Canterbury this season to play under his old Manly coach Des Hasler, but Levick said Hopoate would not back away from his fight with Parramatta.
While it is unlikely the matter will be settled before the start of the new season — which kicks off when the Eels host the Broncos on Thursday week — Levick was adamant Hopoate would win his case.
“Will is out of pocket because he has had to settle for something significantly less late in the piece with the Bulldogs,” Levick said.
“Des is a wonderful coach and he has brought out the best in Will before and he will do it again, that’s for certain.
“(But) there is a process to be followed in the Supreme Court. The matter is now in the hands of the Supreme Court and that process must be respected.
“Justice needs to be seen to be done for Will Hopoate. A line needs to be drawn in the sand with Will. He has integrity and should be respected.”
Levick also acted on behalf of the players’ union for Robbie Farah in his dispute with the Wests Tigers, and she said this would be a test case for all players and clubs.
“Players have been reluctant to stand their ground and fight for their rights,” Levick said.
“Those days are gone. In the past players have just moved onto another club if there is a change to their contractual arrangement.
“They haven’t bothered to challenge a promise.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s/news-story/e79e2855405b4002f01d669c8ab0808e