People assume contracts are signed for a set amount each year, so for example a 3 year contract will be for £x pa for 3 years, not £x pa year 1, £x+Y year 2 and £x+y=Z in year 3. The Salary cap would naturally be squeezed as the contract runs.

Another factor when looking at what space we have in the cap.

All the noise about the cap makes little sense, as the OP notes

Start of last season we apparently had cap space even before Robbo and Ferres left, then obviously even more after

Yeah Symonds came in mid season but I'm not sure he'd be on such a salary as either of the two we lost

Then even before the end of the season we knew we'd be losing some players

So forgive me if I'm not entirely convinced by comms from the club on this topic

But I'll be patient for signings, we're behind the pack due to the middle 8s

mamo

Remember when Patrick went it was because he could not be accommodated under the cap, so even back then they knew they had trouble

You are kidding! Symonds wouldn't be uprooting his family and coming over here for anything less than what he is used to- and NRL wages a miles ahead of SL ones.
Symonds, taai, ikahihifo rapira and hinchy will be on big money!