Bulldogs furious over NRL’s Kieran Foran salary cap decision

A frustrated Canterbury have called for a salary cap revamp after receiving just a third of Kieran Foran’s million dollar deal as dispensation.

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Canterbury have called on the NRL to revamp its policy for players injured at representative level after the club officially received just a third of dispensation of Kieran Foran’s million dollar salary.

The Bulldogs were granted the maximum $350,000 salary cap relief despite arguing they have Foran’s full $1.2 million salary covered this year after their star five-eighth was injured playing for the Kiwis last year. Club’s receive greater relief if players are stood down by the NRL’s no-fault policy, while South Sydney did not have to include Greg Inglis or Sam Burgess’ contracts in their salary cap after retiring because of injuries.

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Kieran Foran suffered a devastating shoulder injury playing for the Kiwis in 2019.

Bulldogs boss Andrew Hill said the representative policy needed an urgent overhaul.

“Since the rule was introduced in 2018 there have been additional rules introduced such as the no fault stand down and the career ending injury (policy),” Hill said. “The NRL said the $350,00 salary cap relief was the only decision they could award.

“Cleary after going through the process and on behalf of the other 15 NRL clubs I would suggest this policy needs to be reviewed.

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Kieran Foran back training after shoulder surgery.

“It’s very difficult to accept that a club can release a player for representative honours and that player to be returned in condition that could not see him play up to 15 rounds in our case and not get the full cap relief for that period.

“In reviewing the rule it’s easy to be critical but in this case we have to come up with alternative suggestions or improvement. All of us need to come together and come up with a better outcome.”

Clubs can only receive a payout if the player misses at least 12 games. It is understood the NRL believes the $350,000 is a risk mitigation factor if Foran returns from injury earlier than expected. It reduces the chances of any salary cap issues for the club if he is back early. Hill has put forward the notion that a club should be receive at least 80 per cent of the players’ wage in cap relief.

Foran is set to miss most of the 2020 season after shoulder surgery.

“A percentage of the salary cap with that player will be a fairer, equitable system,” Hill said. “It will also cater to a young player who is just beginning their representative career or a high profile player like Kieran.

“If every club received a certain percentage then that’s fair.”

The Bulldogs need to spend the money before Foran returns. It is understood they can spend that amount to recruit any player and it does not necessarily have to be a like-for-like replacement for Foran. The Bulldogs had inquired about Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr.

Hill said the club had begun looking at options.

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“Our committee will constantly be reviewing the options available,” Hill said. “We have seen in the last couple of weeks there are several discussion around player movement.

“We are monitoring and having these discussions.”

An NRL spokesman said the 16 clubs supported the rule when it was introduced.

“All clubs were consulted and had the opportunity to provide input before it was announced,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Bulldogs furious over NRL’s Kieran Foran salary cap decision