National Rugby League side Parramatta's bottom line is "in a better state" after the club slashed at least A$1.4M ($1.3M) from its football expenditure since former coach Ricky Stuart's departure, according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The Eels "have been the big improvers this year, emerging as genuine finals contenders after earning the wooden spoon in the past two seasons." The rise "is all the more remarkable considering the results have been achieved on a fraction of last year's budget." Under Stuart, the Leagues Club grant to the football club "blew out" to A$7.5M to cover the costs associated with running and preparing the side. It is projected that "those costs will fall by a seven-figure amount this year." Under replacement coach Brad Arthur and his staff, "the club will arguably get more bang for its buck." The "most significant saving is the reduced expenditure on coaching staff." Stuart "was on a base contract" worth about A$800,000. Even if Arthur triggers a number of performance bonuses, his wage for this season "is considerably less than half the amount of his predecessor" (SMH, 8/7).
