New salary cap expected before Christmas after breakthrough in negotiations between players association and NRL

A new salary cap is now expected before Christmas after a significant breakthrough in negotiations between Players Association and NRL.

A SIGNIFICANT shift in the NRL's initial position has broken the deadlock in the Players Association's negotiations with the league, with a new salary cap now expected before Christmas.

Minimum-wage players look set to earn $80,000 a year, while the marquee player allowance will be changed to no longer cover just the highest-earning players at each club.

"It's a win for the little guy," player delegate Clint Newton said.

The breakthrough in negotiations ends any speculation of player strikes, beginning with next year's All Stars game.

The change gives middle-income players the chance to significantly boost their earnings.

Another marathon meeting at NRL headquarters ended yesterday evening with Players Association chief executive David Garnsey walking out with a deal he was prepared to take to his members and acting NRL chief executive Shane Mattiske praising the players.

It is understood the players are prepared to accept a cap rise to $5.8 million after initially seeking a $6.5 million cap.

A cautious Garnsey said after the meeting "a lot of ground was made".

"We're now in a position to take something to our members to approve," he said.

Alongside Garnsey in the meeting were Newton, Robbie Farah, Anthony Quinn, Michael Crocker and Jason King.

"We clearly got to a position by the end that we were seeking to get to, or at least happy to get to," Garnsey said.

"It has been hard fought without being nasty and aggressive.

"The fact we have got to a position where you say 'this is a position you should consider', I think you can safely assure that we're happy."

Newton praised the NRL for its understanding.

"I'm extremely pleased with where we have ended up with minimum wage and, I don't want to make this sound like a war, but it was a win for us," he said.

While the Players Association was pleased enough to go back to the players before they break for Christmas next week, the NRL was also satisfied with the outcome.

"We were really pleased with the position we arrived at," Mattiske said.

"Particularly with the fact that, through the compromises that were made through the course of negotiations today, we arrived at a position that the Players Association was comfortable to take back to its members.

"There was a strong representation from the players’ group again and their influence was a key factor in delivering a position that we believe is both a fair deal to the players, which is what we want to achieve, and something that will stand the game in good stead to achieve its strategic plan."

Garnsey will now prepare a document to distribute among the clubs and he foresees few problems.

Of the 16 clubs, only Gold Coast and New Zealand were not represented in the meetings.

The clubs will meet and form a consensus which they will then inform the Players Association of.

Garnsey is confident the players will endorse the new salary cap.