How Sydney Roosters can afford to sign Cooper Cronk
ANALYSIS: Can the Sydney Roosters afford both James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk on $1 million deals, without rorting the salary cap? Yes. Here’s how.
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HERE is the proof the Sydney Roosters can afford Cooper Cronk without rorting the salary cap.
The estimated salaries of their top tier players comes in at around $9.59 million with the cap next year expected to be $9.4 million.
In recent years the Roosters have suffered an exodus of stars, including James Maloney, Michael Jennings, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and before that Sonny Bill Williams.
Next year they won’t have Aidan Guerra, Kane Evans, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Liam Knight, Paul Carter and Connor Watson on the payroll.
It’s why they can afford both James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk on $1 million deals. Cronk on Monday confirmed he would join the Roosters on a two-year deal.
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But, in their defence, they have only one player in the Kangaroos squad — skipper Boyd Cordner.
Premiers Melbourne Storm have seven from their 2017 squad wearing the green and gold at the World Cup.
A lot of the players at the Roosters are on less money than you would think.
Latrell Mitchell is one of the best young players in the competition but he signed long term before he proved his worth.
Blake Ferguson is on a reduced contract next year because of his off-field issues and the fact he is now regarded purely as a winger, not a fullback or centre.
The club was also $200,000 under the salary cap in 2017 which allowed them to “pre-pay” players some of their 2018 money to create more space in the cap.
There’s talk the Roosters will release halfback Jayden Nikorima if anyone has to go.
He’s played mostly for feeder club the Wyong Roos but is soaking up $350,000 of the salary cap. There is talk the Broncos want him back in Brisbane.
THE COOPER CRONK EQUATION
(Estimated salaries)
STARTING TEAM
1 James Tedesco $1,000,000
2 Blake Ferguson $400,000
3 Latrell Mitchell $350,000
4 Ryan Matterson $200,000
5 Daniel Tupou $220,000
6 Luke Keary $600,000
7 Cooper Cronk $1,000,000
8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves $650,000
9 Jake Friend $500,000
10 Dylan Napa $550,000
11 Boyd Cordner $750,000
12 Mitchell Aubusson $280,000
13 Isaac Liu $200,000
TOTAL: $6,700,000
RESERVES
Mitchell Pearce $800,000
Michael Gordon $250,000
Jayden Nikorima $350,000
Zane Tetevano $120,000
Sio Siua Taukeiaho $150,000
Joseph Manu $150,000
Nat Butcher $200,000
Victor Radley $120,000
Total: $2,140,000
OTHERS
Wyong Roos $750,000
Grand total $9,590,000
2017 departures: Aidan Guerra, Kane Evans, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Liam Knight, Paul Carter, Connor Watson, Dale Copley*, Jackson Hastings*.
*Salary contributions to play elsewhere
Originally published as How Sydney Roosters can afford to sign Cooper Cronk
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