Cronulla Sharks already over NRL salary cap for 2020

Even the impending exit of club captain Paul Gallen won’t halt Cronulla’s woes for next year, with the Sharks staring down a future financial crisis before this season is even over.

How can Cronulla already be in this position? Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

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SHARKS ALREADY OVER CAP FOR 2020

Cronulla are already over their salary cap for next year despite the retirement of skipper Paul Gallen and the departures of local boys Jayden Brailey and Kyle Flanagan.

The Sharks have five players earning $800,000 a year or more, another on $600,000 and a penalty deduction of $350,000 from last year’s salary cap scandal.

Once the top six players are paid — Wade Graham, Andrew Fifita, Shaun Johnson, Josh Dugan, Matt Moylan and Aaron Woods — it leaves only $4.65 million from a $9.8 million cap to be shared among the remaining 24 players.

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How can Cronulla already be in this position? Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

It is a situation the NRL is monitoring closely.

The Sharks’ problems will be eased slightly by the departure of utility player Kurt Capewell, most likely to the Newcastle Knights. It is not enough to make them cap-compliant for 2020.

The Sharks’ problems have been created by back-ended contracts and the fact coach John Morris had to upgrade Bronson Xerri, Briton Nikora and Braden Hamlin Uele.

SHIRE STRAITS

Cap penalty: $350k

Star six total: $5.15m

Total cap 2020: $9.8m

Remaining money for 24 players: $4.65m

Leaves an average salary of: $193,000

Originally published as Cronulla Sharks already over NRL salary cap for 2020