Parramatta Eels salary cap: Will Hopoate’s legal action could come back to haunt club

PARRAMATTA’S salary cap woes could be compounded with the outcome of Will Hopoate’s court case potentially being added to their budget for this season.

Will Hopoate could still have a big impact on the Eels’ season.

PARRAMATTA’S salary cap woes could be compounded with the outcome of Will Hopoate’s court case potentially being added to their budget for this season.

While it is unlikely, there is an outside chance that should Hopoate be successful in his case against his former club, then some, if not all of the near $2 million he is seeking could be included in the salary cap.

It is understood the money will not be counted as they will be deemed a damages/compensation payment and not a salary while the NRL did not have a registered contract for Hopoate to be at the Eels beyond last season. The case may not be settled until next year should either party appeal.

Will Hopoate could still have a big impact on the Eels’ season.

An NRL spokesman confirmed the NRL did not have a registered contract for Will Hopoate to play with Parramatta this year.

“Naturally we will monitor the outcome of the legal proceedings,” the spokesman said. “But in this instance, the matter in dispute does not relate to a registered NRL contract and sits outside the NRL’s jurisdiction.

“So that is very different situation to a dispute involving a registered contract that may have salary cap implications.”

Hopoate’s legal team served papers against the Eels last August believing the club had changed the terms and fee of the three-year deal. Hopoate was to be paid $630,000 in 2016, $660,000 in 2017 and $690,000 in 2018.

Parramatta’s case could have implications for other clubs’ contracts.

Hopoate has since joined Canterbury for two years. Rival club bosses are watching the decision closely with some in club land believing the decision not to include any of Hopoate’s money on the Eels’ salary cap, could lead to club’s moving on players on before their contract has expired and compensate them with the knowledge the money will be exempt from the salary cap.

Hopoate’s case is due for directions at the Supreme Court on Thursday.

While Hopoate’s dad John’s case against the NRL will continue on May 25. John Hopoate is fighting against the NRL’s decision to ban him from coaching Manly’s under-18s SG Ball team earlier this year.