Off-contract stars the biggest casualties of NRL’s new wage war

NRL’s off-contract superstars will be the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with the game’s most in-demand player set to lose a whopping $1.25m. SEE THE LIST HERE

Dean Ritchie

6 min read

April 2, 2020 - 7:44AM

Latrell Mitchell stands to lose a quarter of his contract. Picture: Mark Nolan/NRL Photos

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They are the 10 wretched days which are expected to cost off-contract NRL players a colossal $20 million.

Hardest hit will be young superstar David Fifita, who is bracing for a $1.25 million pay cut from future earnings.

While South Sydney champion Latrell Mitchell could lose $200,000 a year from next season.

Around 180 NRL players coming off contract after this season could have their value reduced from a collective $80 million to $60 million — all this in just 10 days since the NRL was forced into shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Latrell Mitchell stands to lose a quarter of his contract. Picture: Mark Nolan/NRL Photos

These are the stark numbers to accompany what is expected to be a 25 per cent reduction in the salary cap for next season. It means elite, $1 million-a-year players will now be playing for $750,000.

Fifita is weighing up five-year offers which were worth $1 million a season before coronavirus. His $5 million offer will now be worth $3.75 million under a revised salary cap.

Mitchell is being paid $800,000 a season at Souths and has an option his way for next year. That figure will now likely by cut to $600,000 annually.

BELOW: THE LIST OF OFF-CONTRACT NRL STARS

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys is resisting a salary cap cut at present but clubs are pushing hard to reduce costs and contracts for a game left financially crippled. It could lead to friction between the clubs and RPLA.

One club CEO said: “There has been so much waste throughout the game because the (broadcast deal) pie kept getting bigger. That’s not happening now.

The expected salary cap decrease will hit David Fifita hard. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty

“The salary cap will decrease by 20 to 25 per cent. Some are saying 40 per cent but that is ridiculous. How much the salary cap is reduced may depend on how much V’landys can trim at head office.”

Players coming off contract after this season include Fifita, Mitchell, Jack Bird, David Fifita, Anthony Milford, Nick Cotric, Kieran Foran, Ryan James, Moses Suli, Jesse Bromwich, Cam Smith, Nathan Brown, Reed Mahoney, James Tamou, Alex Johnston, Jack de Belin, Jake Friend, Benji Marshall and Adam Blair.

Adding to the confusion is that the players may not play this season. It is NRL’s winter closing down sale with players unable to put themselves in the shop front window. Off contract from November 1, players have had all negotiations suspended.

NRL stars are becoming increasingly concerned they may be prevented the opportunity now to show their current clubs – or rival suitors – they are worthy of a new deal.

Raiders star Nick Cotric. Picture: Jonathan Ng

At best, the players are looking at a significantly reduced premiership, possibly starting in August or September.

“It would be concerning for them (off-contract players). It’s a double blow – off contract and at the same time having this amazing set of circumstances,” said Raiders CEO Don Furner.

“It places them in a more precarious than all the rest of the players but good players like Nick (Cotric) will always be in demand.”

One coach said: “There is plenty of talent available after this season but now isn’t really the time to be negotiating a new deal.”

Leading player agent Steve ‘Chimes’ Gillis was trying to stay calm through unsettling times for his clients and the game.

“It’s extremely concerning for everyone,” Gillis said. “We don’t even know if we have a competition. No one can tell us when we’re going to be back out there.

“It’s frustrating and stressful for everyone but we can’t answer questions about the unknown. It will unravel — everyone needs to be patient. We can worry until the cows come home but that isn’t going to change anything.

Veteran Storm prop Jesse Bromwich comes off contract after the 2020 season. Picture: Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos

“We have to keep thinking positive and waiting for the signal. Once the game resumes, it will flow. Once we know what is happening, we will be able to move.

“Everyone is in the same boat – whether you have or haven’t got a contract so we shouldn’t try to forecast or hypothetically think ‘what are we going to do?’ We can only play what is in front of us and we don’t know what is in front of us.

“I am extremely optimistic about the game returning as strongly as ever. It will take time but I have always said rugby league is indestructible. It’s certainly taken a hit but it will be back.

“We have been telling our players to stay strong and know that everyone is doing everything possible to assist but some things remain out of our immediate control.”

OFF CONTRACT PLAYERS AFTER THIS SEASON

These are the 184 NRL players off-contract at the end of the 2020 season, whose futures are even more unclear now new deals have been put on hold due to the uncertainty the coronavirus pandemic has created.

Jack Bird’s latest ACL injury could not have come at a worse time for the off-contract Bronco, who is still just 24. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Brisbane

Jack Bird PO

Herbie Farnworth

David Fifita

Jamil Hopoate

Jordan Kahu

Richie Kennar

Rhys Kennedy

Andrew McCullough PO

Anthony Milford PO

Corey Oates PO

Sean O’Sullivan

Izaia Perese

Jake Turpin PO

Ilikena Vudogo

The Raiders are keen to re-sign local junior Nick Cotric. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Canberra

Luke Bateman

JJ Collins

Nick Cotric

Siliva Havili PO

Sebastian Kris

Jack Murchie

Michael Oldfield

Sia Soliola

Tom Starling

Matt Frawley

Young Canterbury half Brandon Wakeham chases Jason Taumalolo. He’s also chasing a new contract. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

Canterbury

Jack Cogger

Adam Elliott

Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Kieran Foran

Morgan Harper

Kerrod Holland

Marcelo Montoya

Sauaso Sue

Isaiah Tass

Aiden Tolman

Brandon Wakeham

Outside back William Kennedy is looking to cement a place in Cronulla’s starting team, in the hope of extending his contract beyond this season. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Cronulla

Jayson Bukuya

Jackson Ferris

Royce Hunt

Sione Katoa

William Kennedy

Cameron King

Kayleb Milne

Toby Rudolf

Scott Sorensen

Siosifa Talakai

Cruz Topai-Aveai

Braydon Trindall

Ryan James, wife Ana and sons Brooklyn and Carter. Picture: Steve Holland

Ryan James wants to play on, despite suffering an ACL injury. Picture: Jerad Williams

Gold Coast

Dale Copley

Anthony Don

Keegan Hipgrave

Ryan James

Sam Lisone

Nathan Peats

Kevin Proctor

Tyrone Roberts

Treymain Spry

Sam Stone

Manly are keen to keep Moses Suli. Picture: Brett Costello

Manly

Cade Cust

Brendan Elliot

Albert Hopoate

Danny Levi

Luke Metcalf

Sam Smith

Moses Suli

Corey Waddell

Tony Williams

Will Cameron Smith play on in 2021 and charge towards 450 games for the Melbourne Storm? Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Melbourne

Jesse Bromwich MO

Sandor Earl

Tom Eisenhuth

Nicho Hynes

Ryley Jacks

Cooper Johns

Felise Kaufusi PO

Max King

Brenko Lee

Isaac Lumelume

Justin Olam

Aaron Pene

Darryn Schonig

Marion Seve

Cameron Smith

Albert Vete CO

Christian Welch

Warriors forward Isaiah Papali'i is sure to generate interest. Picture: AAP/Darren England

New Zealand

Gerard Beale

Adam Blair PO

Lachlan Burr

Jackson Frei

Blake Green

Patrick Herbert

Peta Hiku

Adam Keighran

Taane Milne

Isaiah Papali’i

Leivaha Pulu

Nathaniel Roache

Connor Watson is a free agent at season’s end. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

Newcastle

Herman Ese’ese

Aidan Guerra

Brodie Jones

Josh King

Mason Lino

Tautau Moga

Tyronne Roberts-Davis

Jacob Saifiti

Connor Watson

The Cowboys’ John Asiata (right) helps bring down Christian Crichton in round two. Asiata’s North Queensland deal expires at season’s end. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

North Queensland

John Asiata

Gavin Cooper

Reuben Cotter

Mitchell Dunn

Kyle Feldt

Jordan McLean PO

Francis Molo

Tom Opacic

Emry Pere

Dan Russell

Tukimihia Simpkins

Shane Wright

Parramatta

Nathan Brown PO

Andrew Davey

Rhys Davies

Haze Dunster

Kane Evans

David Gower

George Jennings

Reed Mahoney

Ethan Parry

Jaeman Salmon

Will Smith

Ray Stone

Brad Takairangi

Peni Terepo

Penrith’s cult hero winger Brian To'o is fighting for a new deal. Picture: AAP/Craig Golding

Penrith

Caleb Aekins

Dean Blore

Shawn Blore

Jed Cartwright

Kaide Ellis

Tyrone May

Brayden McGrady

James Tamou

Brian To’o

Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Euan Aitken’s future at the Dragons is unclear. Picture: Brett Costello

St George Illawarra

Euan Aitken

Jack de Belin

Adam Clune

Jackson Ford

Tyson Frizell*

James Graham

Jacob Host

Josh Kerr PO

Tim Lafai

Joe Lovodua

Issac Luke

Mikaele Ravalawa

Tristan Sailor

*Has agreed a deal to join Newcastle, but the NRL will not yet register the contract

Will Alex Johnston chase a fullback spot away from Redfern in 2021? Picture. Phil Hillyard

South Sydney

Tom Amone

Cory Denniss

Kurt Dillon

Bryson Goodwin

Alex Johnston

Patrick Mago PO

Steven Marsters

Jaxson Paulo

Ky Rodwell

Bayley Sironen

Jaydn Su’a PO

Roosters premiership-winning veterans Mitchell Aubusson and Jake Friend are both free agents from November 1. Picture: Brett Costello

Sydney Roosters

Mitchell Aubusson

Jake Friend

Ryan Hall MO

Drew Hutchison

Matt Ikuvalu

Asu Kepaoa

Lachlan Lam

Brett Morris

Josh Morris

Tigers veteran Benji Marshall has a big decision to make at season’s end on whether or not he will play on beyond 2020. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Wests Tigers

Oliver Clark

Matt Eisenhuth

Robert Jennings

Chris Lawrence

Benji Marshall

Sam McIntyre

Chris McQueen

Paul Momirovski

Alex Seyfarth

Dylan Smith

Elijah Taylor

Total 184

Players with player options (PO), club options (CO) and mutual options (MO) listed

Jack Bird