Cronulla could lose Valentine Holmes as a result of salary cap dramas
THERE are fears Test superstar Valentine Holmes could quit Cronulla should a heavy-handed NRL impose heavy punishment on the Sharks over alleged salary cap breaches.
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THERE are fears Test superstar Valentine Holmes could quit Cronulla should a heavy-handed NRL impose heavy punishment on the Sharks over alleged salary cap breaches.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Holmes’ concerned manager, Gavin Orr, has been desperately attempting to contact Sharks officials to seek clarity on the NRL’s shock salary cap investigation.
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Orr sent a text message to Cronulla CEO Barry Russell on Wednesday seeking additional information on where his client stands.
A potential NRL-imposed penalty to reduce Cronulla’s salary cap could also impact on the playing futures of Holmes, James Segeyaro, Wade Graham and hinder any chance the club may have in luring Brisbane’s Jack Bird back to Shark Park.
Holmes come off contract after next season but is a free agent from November 1 with North Queensland preparing to launch a massive offer to lure the Queensland champion to Townsville.
Cronulla has tabled a rich five-year for deal worth $4m — but Holmes is yet to sign. Holmes, 23, has placed all contract negotiations on hold after the season.
The NRL continues to investigate Cronulla over alleged salary cap indiscretions dating back to 2015.
While Cronulla is salary cap compliant for this year, the NRL is yet to determine what action — if any — the club would attract if found guilty.
One form of punishment may be a reduction in salary cap for the next two seasons — similar action taken against Manly earlier this season.
The Sea Eagles had a $660,000 penalty applied to their cap for this year and next season, meaning Manly are operating under a salary cap of $9m. The club has appealed.
Identical action against Cronulla could see the club lose Holmes, who has scored a club record 20 tries this season.
Segeyaro comes off contract after this season while Graham and Kurt Capewell are free agents after next year.
“I can’t get hold of anyone at the club. I have sent them a text and waiting for someone to send a text back,” Orr told The Daily Telegraph. “No-one has spoken to me about it. Until I know more, I can’t really comment.
“If there was an issue with Val, they would probably give me a call. Cronulla has offered us a contract and we are considering our options.
“There are a lot of things that go into it. The coach, I know Shane (Flanagan) is looking to extend. Val wants some clarity.
“We’re not in any rush at the moment. Val wants to concentrate on the finals at the moment.”
Originally published as Cronulla could lose Valentine Holmes as a result of salary cap dramas
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