Cut-price deal keeps James Segeyaro’s career alive with Sharks

As they round out their roster by throwing James Segeyaro a lifeline, Cronulla have already battened down the hatches in anticipation of salary cap sanctions.

James Segeyaro has kept his NRL career alive. Picture: Getty Images

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James Segeyaro has confessed he was willing to play “for free” with Cronulla after signing the smallest contract of his NRL career as the Shire club braces for their salary cap punishment.

Under NRL salary cap investigation, the Sharks have been deliberately operating about $200,000 under their cap budget in readiness for any impost the NRL may penalise them with.

The Daily Telegraph reported earlier this week that the club is expecting a fine between $400,000 and $500,000.

Following Segeyaro’s signing, the Sharks also still have one roster spot remaining worth around $100,000 complete their top-30 squad for 2019.

Back from rugby league wilderness, the former Dally M hooker of the year inked a 12-month contract with the Sharks on Monday just four months after being let go by the club.

The last-minute deal is believed to be worth $120,000 - the smallest contract since Segeyaro’s debut season with North Queensland in 2011.

James Segeyaro has kept his NRL career alive. Picture: Cameron Spencer

“If it was for free, I’d still want to be right where I am today,’’ Segeyaro said in his only interview on Tuesday.

“When it comes down to it, to wake up every day, it’s a blessing and privilege to even pull on the jersey and be part of this squad.

“Yes it’s a business, but at the end of the day this is my passion.

“As soon as that changes to becoming a job and only wanting to do it for money, that’s when I’ll be doing it for the wrong reasons.

“If I wasn’t getting paid - I’d still be turning up every day to try and be my best version of myself.

“You go back to when you were young, you don’t play for money. You do it because you love it.

Segeyaro has spent the past two seasons with the Sharks. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“This is the smallest deal I’ve ever been on, but it doesn’t bother me at all.’’

Despite interest from Newcastle and Parramatta, Segeyaro said it was always a case of remaining patient for the chance to return to the Sharks, having never wanted to leave at the end of last year.

“I wasn’t in the mindset that it would all come to an end. I knew something was going to happen,’’ Segeyaro said.

Segeyaro signed his smallest deal since his time in North Queensland.

“It was just a matter of time.

“I was in their system for two years and because of how well and comfortable I felt with the playing group, particularly Matt (Moylan) who I’m mates with, I kept telling him “I wish we had one more year together”.

“There was a bitter sweet feeling with what we achieved last year and so the fire burns strong to get that premiership.

“Even though the Knights and Eels recruited well, I felt Cronulla with what I know about the club, that premiership pursuit would give my best chance here.

“I know how Chad (Townsend) plays, I know how Matty plays, I know exactly how the forward’s play and also I know how Bomber (John Morris) likes to coach and I’ve always been an admirer of him.

Segeyaro has trained with the likes of Boyd Cordner during the off-season. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

“I quickly learned in the two years how such a special place this is to represent and so I never saw myself leaving and pulling on another jersey.’’

Despite being unaffiliated with an NRL club, Segeyaro continued to train through summer with a collection of rugby league’s elite including Boyd Cordner, Damien Cook, Adam Reynolds and former 300-gamer Luke Lewis at the gym of a mutual friend.

“I did a lot of cardio and functional training and I have to thank the support I received from my friends to enable me to stay mentally strong,’’ Segeyaro said.

“I felt good in my first session back (yesterday), I just need to focus on my strength work over the next month to build back up.

“I’ll be good to go round one, no problems.’’

Originally published as Cut-price deal keeps James Segeyaro’s career alive with Sharks