This was published 7 years ago
Parramatta Eels allowed to compete for points after complying with the salary cap
By Michael Chammas and Adrian Proszenko
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Parramatta's top eight dreams have been reignited after the NRL rubber-stamped Anthony Watmough's retirement and Nathan Peats' transfer on Thursday night.
On the eve of Friday night's showdown against South Sydney, the NRL gave Parramatta the green light to begin competing for points.
Nathan Peats speaks to the media in Sydney on Wednesday.Credit: Matt King
Watmough's knee injury has been cleared by the NRL as a career-ending injury, which allows the Eels to clear his mammoth contract out of this year's salary cap.
With Ryan Morgan released to Melbourne, the final piece of the puzzle was offloading the off-contract Peats, who met with teammates for coffee on Thursday morning to say his goodbyes before linking with the Titans.
"There was two that fit the criteria, that are on enough money to get under the cap so they can play for points - myself and Corey Norman," Peats told the Nine network.
"You're not going to get rid of Corey Norman because he's one of the best five-eighths in the comp at the moment and I fit the bill. That's how it is, it's a business."
Peats described the Eels as a "poorly run business" for a long period of time and didn't lay all the blame at the so-called 'gang of five'.
"Everyone has made mistakes through the time, it's not just the five blokes who are left that are to blame," he said.
"It's been a poorly run business over the last couple of years … they need to get people in who genuinely love the club and what to see the club succeed and get rid of their egos."
Asked if he was owed an apology from those responsible, he said: "No body is going to say sorry, it is what it is. I don't really care. I'm looking forward to moving on .. I'm looking forward to going."
"But at the end of the day, I'm looking forward to a fresh change. As long as my family and that are looked after, I'm sure I'll have a good time on the Gold Coast.
Titans coach Neil Henry said it was unlikely Peats would be selected to play for the Titans against the Roosters on Monday night but is delighted to have the City Origin hooker at his disposal.
"It was very quick as has been documented in the media already," Henry said.
"It was made available through what has been happening at Parramatta. He's a quality player and it came about very quickly. Notification last night that it could happen around 7'oclock. We were quite happy to welcome him because we had room in our roster for him. He's a utility player and has played quite a few games in the backrow.
"We've had a good look at him. He's a tough competitor. Chris McQueen knows him, Eddy Pettybourne knows him. The boys have had a bit of contact and welcome him with open arms. There's competition for spots in the hooking ranks as well but it also adds good depth of quality to our squad."
Peats will get to square off against his former teammates in a month's time when the Titans travel to the Northern Territory for the round 14 clash against Parramatta on June 11, before hosting the Eels on the Gold Coast in round 20.
"As a result, salary cap auditor, Jamie L'Oste Brown is satisfied that the Eels are now within the cap, based on the information available," an NRL statement said.
"The 12 points accumulated while the club is alleged to have been in breach of the 2016 cap will remain on the competition ladder until a final determination on the breach notice is made. Head of Integrity Nick Weeks said the club had required additional time to respond to the breach notice so a final determination is now likely in mid-June."