NRL Rich 100 2021: Salaries of game’s highest paid stars revealed

Out of the full list of the NRL Rich 100, there’s 15 players off-contract for 2022 – and some are facing a staggering drop in their earning power. SEE THE FULL LIST

The Daily Telegraph reveals the NRL’s highest earners for 2021.

From sitting comfortably inside the top 20 highest-paid NRL players to plummeting outside the Rich 100.

That’s the scenario for Cronulla’s Matt Moylan, who has been tabled a cut-price 12-month extension to remain in the Shire in 2022.

Moylan is one of 15 off-contract stars that feature in this year’s NRL Rich 100.

The select group of money men who remain without a club for next season includes Ash Taylor, Anthony Milford, Corey Norman, Josh Dugan, Moses Mbye, Dane Gagai, Russell Packer, Dylan Napa, Aaron Woods, Dale Finucane, Tyrone Peachey, Joey Leilua, Blake Ferguson and Dylan Walker.

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The Daily Telegraph reveals the NRL’s highest earners for 2021.

The Sharks are asking Moylan – ranked 21st on the NRL Rich 100 – to more than halve his current $850,000 contract to $350,000 next year.

Moylan joined the Sharks from Penrith in 2018 on the monster deal after representative appearances for NSW and Australia.

If Moylan takes up the Sharks’ offer it would be his smallest contract in over five years.

The 30-year-old’s massively reduced deal is a result of his past two seasons which have been curtailed by injury.

The playmaker managed 11 games in 2019 and just eight more in 2020 due to hamstring and leg issues.

BELOW: THE NRL RICH 100 LIST 100-51

However, Moylan is enjoying his most consistent season since 2018.

He has managed 13 games so far – his best run of matches in three years – and in the process, shown a genuine steel in defence while increasingly showing he can still be a run-threat in attack.

The Sharks’ decision to pursue Moylan, instead of Shaun Johnson, comes after several meetings with incoming Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgiboon.

Moylan has given every indication to Cronulla management he is eager to be part of the Sharks’ new chapter.

Blake Ferguson, Matt Moylan, Dylan Napa and Aaron Woods are all off-contract.

Fitzgibbon is aiming to pair Moylan with Storm recruit Nicho Hynes in the halves for the Sharks next year, with rookie halfback Braydon Trindall also an option.

Two clubs that may show interest in Moylan are the Raiders, who are yet to replace halfback George Williams for 2022, while Canterbury went hard and missed out on Johnson.

Unlike other off-contract stars on the NRL Rich 100, Moylan at least has an offer from his current club on the table.

The likes of Taylor, Milford, Norman, Dugan, Mbye, Packer, Leilua and Ferguson are all nervously waiting for an approach to continue their career in the NRL.

The Dragons have told Norman he won’t be required beyond this year, while Milford and Taylor would need to take a similar pay cut to what Moylan is facing.

One player that won’t struggle for a suitor is Gagai.

The South Sydney centre is weighing-up serious interest to return to his former club Newcastle, while the Broncos and Cowboys are also monitoring his negotiations.

The Knights are the front runners with GM of football Danny Buderus confirming the club’s desire to News Corp on Saturday.

“Someone of Gags’ class and experience, would be a real bonus for our club,’’ Buderus said.

“I played with Gags, so I know what he also brings to a team as far as knowledge within the group.

“He also has a house still in Newcastle and I know that he is passionate about not only the club, but the community.

“We’ll see where those talks take us.’’

Finucane is another Rich 100 player who isn’t struggling for options with the Dragons, Cowboys, Tigers, Knights and Storm all eager to secure the quality middle forward.

The Cowboys have tabled a two-year offer for the 30-year-old this week, but it’s believed he wants to secure his future with a three-year contract.