NRL 2024: 12 players in finals in line for bumper pay rise ahead of November 1 free agency deadline
From veterans ready to prove they are worth the big bucks to youngsters set for a pay-rise, these are the 12 players in the NRL finals primed to earn a bumper payday with the November 1 free agency deadline looming.
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How much is a premiership ring really worth?
A number of NRL stars including the likes of Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco, Melbourne hooker Harry Grant and Cronulla playmaker Daniel Atkinson are about to find out – or cash-in even.
Tedesco and Atkinson are set to hit the open market from November 1 with the finals series turning into a shop front window for players looking to secure their futures and earn a bumper payday.
Atkinson has been a revelation for the Sharks as a Mr Fix-It in the halves while first choice halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall out injured and through suspension, respectively.
Two clutch field goals in the regular season have rubber stamped Atkinson’s credentials as a NRL calibre playmaker.
But the 23-year old, who will be on the radar of rival outfits in just six weeks time, told this masthead he is happy to bide his time as utility behind Hynes (2029) and Trindall – who is also off contract.
“I’m loving my footy here at Cronulla. Right now, I’m really in the present and I don’t want to think too far ahead in terms of my future. I’m a free agent in November 1 but we have a finals game to win against the Cowboys,” Atkinson said.
“I’m happy to bide my time. If the coach thinks I’m best for the team in the no.14 jumper, then I’m happy to be the guy off the bench providing some energy for my team.
Tedesco will line-up for his 250th NRL game against Manly on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium and the Roosters skipper is keen to secure his future at the Bondi club.
His presence will be more valuable than ever with Trent Robinson’s roster set to lose around 900 games of NRL experience at season’s end with the cashed-up ready to meet Tedesco’s demands if the skipper can guide the club to a title in 2024.
“My body has been feeling great this year. Normally at this time of the year you are feeling sore and tired but physically and mentally I’m in a really good space,” Tedesco said.
“After the season is done, we’ll sort out (my future).”
We take a look at the veterans ready to prove they are worth the big bucks, and the youngsters set for a pay rise.
JAMES TEDESCO
Age: 31
Salary: $1.1 million
If Tedesco can guide the Roosters to the title against all odds, the star fullback can command his price – and the club has the salary cap space to meet his demands with the impending exits of Luke Keary ($900,000), Joey Many ($800,000), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (750,000) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($630,000). The exodus of around 900 games of NRL experience make the veteran skipper a retention priority for the Roosters with coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis keen to lock in Tedesco before November 1.
DANIEL ATKINSON
Age: 23
Salary: $230,000
Atkinson is convinced he has what it takes to be a starting playmaker and his ability to stand-up in the crunch moments backs up that claim, like his matchwinning field goals against the Knights and former side Melbourne. Injuries and suspension to first choice halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall has seen Atkinson become a regular in Craig Fitzgibbon’s side. While Atkinson is happy to wait behind Hynes and Trindall, a homecoming for the Queenslander wouldn’t be off the cards with the Broncos and Titans both searching for succession plans beyond Kieran Foran and Adam Reynolds.
HARRY GRANT
Age: 26
Salary: $850,000
Grant has an option in his favour for 2026 but the best hooker in the game can still test the market from November 1 – and his manager’s phone will be ringing off the hook. Elite hookers are a rare commodity and a number of clubs could do with his services, like Newcastle, who are rumoured to have tapped Jayden Brailey and need another attacking threat in the spine. Canberra and Danny Levi are in a similar position, while hooker has been a weakness in Parramatta’s roster since Reed Mahoney defected to Canterbury. He’s in line for a pay rise that could catapult him into the top 3 earners on the NRL Rich List.
JOSH KING
Age: 28
Salary: $350,000
Every club needs an unsung hero in the forward and Josh King fits that bill. The durable prop has only missed three games since joining Melbourne back in 2022. That durability and his workrate is sure to catch the attention of many suitors looking to add starch and toughness to their forward pack like the Bulldogs. He was huge against Cronulla in week one of the finals finishing with 175 metres and a try assist.
RYAN PAPENHUYZEN
Age: 26
Salary: $940,000
Parramatta are said to be already stalking the star Storm fullback after new head coach Jason Ryles indicated a new role for long-time no. 1 Clint Gutherson at the club, and after losing Blaize Talagi to Penrith. Whether Papenhuyzen is tempted to test the market from November 1 or not, the 26-year old is on track to becoming the NRL’s next $1 million dollar man. Melbourne have moved fast to ward off rival outfits and are preparing to table Papenhuyzen a three-year extension to keep him in Melbourne until the end of 2028.
TRENT LOIERO
Age: 23
Salary: $300,000
Loiero is another of Craig Bellamy’s no nonsense hardworking forwards. Loiero made a successful switch from an edge into the middle of the field in 2024, where he is averaging just under 100 metres per game, routinely punching out 60 minutes and has made a career-high 41 tackle breaks. He’s working just as hard in defence averaging 31 tackles and a low 1.5 misses per game. Loiero’s versatility in the pack, and reliability, are set to earn him an upgraded deal up from his current bargain price of $300,000.
TYRAN WISHART
Age: 24
Salary: $350,000
On the subject of Storm bargain finds, Wishart will earn a bumper pay rise when he hits the market on November 1. Wishart has had a breakout year and isn’t just the most improved player in the NRL, but currently the best value for money. The Storm have issued a ‘hands off’ warning to rivals ready to swoop. While the Storm will take up a club option in their favour to keep Wishart until the end of 2026, he has proven too good not to command a starting spot, whether it’s at hooker or in the halves. The Dragons have been floated as a possible landing spot for Wishart and the club has the cash to make a switch worth his while with Ben Hunt, who’s future at the club is up in the air again, set to free-up around $1 million per season.
JAKE CLIFFORD
Age: 26
Salary: $230,000
Talk about an NRL resurrection. Clifford went from a regular reserve grader in 2024 to a key cog in the Cowboy’s late season surge into the finals – and reminded Todd Payten and rival coaches of his credentials as a starting halfback. Since being promoted back into the NRL side, the Cowboys have won four straight and Clifford will again be crucial to the side’s semi-final hopes against Cronulla on Friday night. A grand final charge will no doubt earn Clifford a fat pay rise on the meagre $230,000 the Cowboys are currently paying the resurgent playmaker.
DALY CHERRY-EVANS
Age: 35
Salary: $1 million
The evergreen halfback showed against Canterbury in last weekend’s elimination final why he is on the big bucks. Manly were on the backfoot for 70 minutes before the seasoned no. 7 took the game by the scruff of the neck to guide Manly home and deliver on his already hefty price tag. He’ll turn 36 in February but Manly will happily open the cheque book once again if Cherry-Evans can steer Manly into its first grand final since 2013.
TOMMY TALAU
Age: 24
Salary: $250,000
After a bumpy start to his career at the Tigers, which included an ACL injury, Talau is enjoying a breakout season on the northern beaches. Since arriving Talau has nailed down a starting spot, keeping the likes of Jaxson Paulo out of the side, to deliver career best stats, including 17 tries from 22 games, 17 line breaks, 51 tackle busts and five try assists. Talau’s form and versatility – he can play at centre, wing and at fullback – will surely capture the attention of rivals and is set to earn the 24-year-old an upgraded deal.
PAUL ALAMOTI
Age: 20
Salary: $250,000
Alamoti struggled to make his mark at Canterbury but that did not stop Penrith coach Ivan Cleary from pouncing on the 20-year-old. He is currently the only Panther not locked in beyond 2025 but like Api Koroisau, Stephen Crichton and Jack Cogger, can cash in on a premiership ring in 2024. The upside in Alamoti is huge and he would make a destructive addition to the outside back stocks of the likes of Parramatta and South Sydney – clubs that could use a youngster with Alamoti’s potential in their outside back stocks.
MATT LODGE
Age: 29
Salary: $300,000
Lodge was a man on a mission against Canterbury last weekend with not only a spot in the semi finals on the line but the motivation of an upgraded deal. He made all the right moves against the Bulldogs in a 41-minute shift that included 122 metres, 17 carries and seven tackle busts. Lodge reportedly had a long-term deal on offer at the Roosters that fell apart at the 11th hour. A strong run in the final series will give Seibold and the Sea Eagles the confidence to lockup Lodge beyond 2024.
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