Well when you rule out the 3 exemptions (youth marquee, AU marquee and marquee) then thats potentially game changing players of quality that other teams have that we do not. Sydney without Emerton and ADP would be in the toilet for example (more so than they are)
And its not just those three players either. Having those three not included in the cap now means you are spreading the cap between eg. 17 players rather than 20, which can make a big difference. Which is my point about not needing (nor particularly wanting) a marquee player like ADP or Heskey on that sort of money. Under the loose rules that the FFA seem to have for who can count as 'marquee' I want a player of the caliber/reputation of Flores or Broich, which won't cost the earth, and will also free up cap room.
Does anyone know if NZ players count for us as a domestic marquee? If so, offer McGlinchey whatever it takes to get him here. He's not the answer, but it is effectively a free upgrade (cap wise) for our midfield, and something to build around.