NRL round 8 2025: Queensland team of the week, NRL salary cap pressure

Pressure is mounting on the NRL to change a salary cap system threatening to squeeze Broncos playmaker Adam Reynolds into retirement. Plus, ROBERT CRADDOCK picks the best 13 players from the four Queensland clubs in round 8.

Pressure is mounting on the NRL to change a salary cap system threatening to squeeze gifted Broncos playmaker Adam Reynolds into retirement.

Several clubs have privately complained to the NRL saying concessions for veteran players are not enough and the system is working against the game’s ageing champions when it should be trying to enhance them to stay in the game.

This masthead can reveal that if, as has been speculated, Reynolds is offered a contract of around $250,000 to play for the Broncos next year the only “veteran player’’ concession they will receive will be to have an inconsequential $12,500 (5%) of it not included under the salary cap under rules which assist long-serving players.

The concession would have been more generous had Reynolds played his entire career for one club but he had a distinguished career for South Sydney before joining the Broncos.

Clubs believe concessions in the salary cap for veteran players such as Adam Reynolds should be bigger. Picture: NRL Images

As Immortal Andrew Johns lauded Reynolds as having a kicking game “as good as anyone who has ever played the game’’ the 34-year-old’s future next year is still at the mercy of the Broncos ever-tightening salary cap.

Because of their acute salary cap squeeze the Broncos may be only after to offer Reynolds a contract of around $250,000 for what would be his last year as they strive to balance their books which contain million dollar players Reece Walsh and Payne Haas.

Uncontracted Selwyn Cobbo’s form surge also puts pressure on the Reynolds’ deal.

The challenging part of Reynolds signing a cut-price deal would be that the NRL salary cap auditors would review the contract to ensure it is worthy of a player of Reynolds class even though he is near the end of his career.

Johns, himself a master game manager, was staggered how well Reynolds played in driving rain against the Bulldogs.

“I grew up watching Ricky Stuart control games with his kicking game but he is up there with the best I have ever seen,’’ Johns told Channel 9.

“He is so far ahead of anyone with his kicking game and I hope he continues playing with the Broncos.

“It comes from repetition. I imagine when he was a kid he would have kicked every day at the Park. But it is also knowing his game and knowing what kick is right. He sees the game and kicking as well as anyone who has ever played the game.’’

Selwyn Cobbo was in fine form against the Bulldogs. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Had Reynolds been starting his career and not ending it he would have been in massive demand over the next few years with two new teams – The Perth Bears and Papua-New Guinea – coming into the system.

Demand for playmakers has never been greater and genuine game managers such as Reynolds are very difficult to find.

XXXX QUEENSLAND TEAM OF THE WEEK

1. Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos)

2. Robert Derby (Cowboys)

3. Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos)

4. Jaxon Purdue (Cowboys)

5. Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)

6. Tom Dearden (Cowboys)

7. Adam Reynolds (Broncos)

8. Pat Carrigan (Broncos)

9. Reece Robson (Cowboys)

10. Payne Haas Broncos)

11. Xavier Willison (Broncos)

12. Beau Fermor (Titans)

13. Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)

Tom Dearden led the Cowboys to a huge win over the Titans. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Originally published as NRL round 8 2025: Queensland team of the week, NRL salary cap pressure