NRL 2024: Coaches push for salary cap discounts that would reward junior development

The Eels are in a battle to retain the services of one of their brightest young stars - but one simple tweak to the salary cup, that is backed by NRL coaches, could fix everything.

When this masthead asked NRL coaches in our exclusive survey if their club should receive salary cap discounts for players they have developed, a whopping 93 per cent said yes.

And, can you blame them?

Developing players is a costly business. Clubs are spending anywhere between $2-3 million a year nurturing their best talent.

Clubs have access to a developed player/veteran allowance that is capped at $300,000 in total. Developed players are eligible for a 10 per cent discount on their value on the cap if they have been at the club for two or more years.

I’d like to see the NRL bring in greater concessions, especially when a developed player’s first NRL deal is likely to be on minimum wage. The current allowance barely makes a dent.

Ingtroducing a salary cap concession of 15-20 per cent for players that come into representative systems at the Harold Matthews (under-17s) level and a 10 per cent for those that come into systems in later years like SG Ball (under-19s) would be great.

The Dolphins were able to pick up one of the best talents in the game, in Isaiya Katoa, while Penrith couldn’t compete financially. Picture: Getty

It would be the same for the Queensland Rugby League’s junior respresentive systems too, including Cyril Connell Cup (under-17s) and Mal Meninga Cup (under-19s).

It could help a club like Parramatta have the upper hand in their battle to retain rising playmaker Ethan Sanders, who started his Eels journey at Harold Matthews level.

The Eels are in a fierce battle with the likes of Canberra for his services.

At clubs like Manly, it would mean the Sea Eagles could receive a greater concession for the Trbojevic brothers, Jake, Tom and Ben, all who have come through that pathway as local juniors.

It would be the same for rising star Tolu Koula, who has been in Manly’s system since Harold Matthews.

It’s a similar case for Parramatta’s Dylan Brown. The Eels five-eighth looks set to be a one-club player after signing a deal until the end of 2031.

That kind of loyalty from a player to the club that developed him should come with a reward for the club.

Brown was the halfback for the Eels in their Harold Matthews grand final win in 2016 against Bradman Best’s Newcastle outfit.

Best will remain in Newcastle but was the subject of a bidding war with the Tigers for his services.

If there were greater salary cap concessions, Newcastle might have been in a position to avoid the risk that comes with a player going to market.

Tom Trbojevic (R) and brother Jake both rose through the ranks at Manly. Picture: Getty

At the Roosters, Joey Manu is considering a shock, short-term defection to Japanese rugby. A cashed-up Dragons are prepared to offer Manu $1.3 million per season but he is expected to stay at the Roosters.

Manu has been in the Roosters system since SG Ball. The Roosters should have a salary cap mechanism to help keep him at Bondi.

Remember, the NRL is considering salary cap dispensation at the top level to facilitate the poaching of Rugby Australia’s biggest names.

It’s time they consider salary cap concessions for clubs to be in a better position to not only stave off rugby union, but other NRL rivals.

Clubs also need more protection for players before they are handed their first NRL contract.

Dylan Brown looks set to be a one-club player – and is on contract until 2031. Picture: AAP

Right now, clubs are eligible for a transfer fee if a developed player is poached by another club.

The fee can be upto $25,000 depending on how long a player has been in a system but again that is barely scratching the surface on the time and resources it takes to develop a talent.

The Panthers put time and resources into Isaiya Katoa, who was considered the country’s best halves prospect, only for the Dolphins to swoop in and poach the youngster without any recourse for the club that developed him.

They received a fee for the move, but one that hardly goes far in recouping the cost it took to develop him.