Cronullla's Ava Seumanufagai may be forced out of Cronulla, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Sharks must be salary cap compliant before the season starts and the 27-year old might be the player who has to make way.

It is understood that Seumanufagai has drawn interest from the Super League's Leeds and will make a call on his future soon.

When asked about his future, the prop said the hardest part of his decision was the prospect of leaving a potential premiership contender.

โ€œItโ€™s probably just the playing squad,โ€ Seumanufagai told theย Herald.

โ€œItโ€™s a tough squad this year, really experienced. Just the move over there, Iโ€™ve got a daughter who is one-and-a-half.

โ€œIโ€™m not too sure whatโ€™s going on. Iโ€™ve been reading that Leeds has been interested, but in terms of my decision, I havenโ€™t made a formal decision yet.โ€

Cronulla reportedly need to offload $353,000 of salary, which is in line with the money Seumanufagai is on, while it is understood that Leeds are prepared to offer Seumanufagai a three-year contract.

The front-rower added that he was not being pushed out of Cronulla.

โ€œNo, everyone has been fine,โ€ he said.

โ€œNo one has spoken to me about that, no one has spoken to me about cap pressures either.

โ€œAs far as Iโ€™m concerned, Iโ€™m coming to training and doing my job, nothing has changed.

โ€œIโ€™m not too sure whatโ€™s going on. I canโ€™t put any [timeframe] on it, Iโ€™m not sure myself.

โ€œItโ€™s all up in the air, Iโ€™m sorry I canโ€™t give you a scoop.โ€

Outgoing Sharks CEO Barry Russel lamented the idea that a player had to make way to meet their salary cap.

โ€œ[Seumanufagai] has obviously been in the press and thatโ€™s one scenario that I think is looking positive and will be a good outcome for Ava and for the club,โ€ Russell said.

โ€œThatโ€™s one scenario. Weโ€™re in discussions with the salary-cap auditors on a whole range of options, whether we prepay some money, whether we can call some of that back. They are all the levers weโ€™re looking at but ultimately weโ€™re looking for what least affects the playing squad and is most beneficial to the player who goes.

โ€œIโ€™m mindful of the players because we have such a tight group. Itโ€™s delicate, thatโ€™s why I canโ€™t come out and say โ€˜heโ€™s going to go, itโ€™s going to be him.โ€™

โ€œThey have families and lives and kids and weโ€™ve got less than [a week until round one]. Thatโ€™s why we are taking our time. We meet every day, weโ€™re providing updates on situations and are talking to managers and clubs.

โ€œWeโ€™ll get the desired outcomes and Iโ€™ve got no dramas we will be compliant.โ€

3 COMMENTS

  1. Hold on…..
    If he is released they become salary cap compliant. $330k. OK.
    But he needs to be replaced in the squad of 30. So they need to release a big fish?

  2. They’re already under by about $200K, so if Ava goes they’ll be well under and can then register Seggyaro

Comments are closed.