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
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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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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 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.
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.
“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.
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
Canberra
Luke Bateman
JJ Collins
Nick Cotric
Siliva Havili PO
Sebastian Kris
Jack Murchie
Michael Oldfield
Sia Soliola
Tom Starling
Matt Frawley
Canterbury
Jack Cogger
Adam Elliott
Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Kieran Foran
Morgan Harper
Kerrod Holland
Marcelo Montoya
Sauaso Sue
Isaiah Tass
Aiden Tolman
Brandon Wakeham
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
Gold Coast
Dale Copley
Anthony Don
Keegan Hipgrave
Ryan James
Sam Lisone
Nathan Peats
Kevin Proctor
Tyrone Roberts
Treymain Spry
Sam Stone
Manly
Cade Cust
Brendan Elliot
Albert Hopoate
Danny Levi
Luke Metcalf
Sam Smith
Moses Suli
Corey Waddell
Tony Williams
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
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
Newcastle
Herman Ese’ese
Aidan Guerra
Brodie Jones
Josh King
Mason Lino
Tautau Moga
Tyronne Roberts-Davis
Jacob Saifiti
Connor Watson
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
Caleb Aekins
Dean Blore
Shawn Blore
Jed Cartwright
Kaide Ellis
Tyrone May
Brayden McGrady
James Tamou
Brian To’o
Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
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
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
Sydney Roosters
Mitchell Aubusson
Jake Friend
Ryan Hall MO
Drew Hutchison
Matt Ikuvalu
Asu Kepaoa
Lachlan Lam
Brett Morris
Josh Morris
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
David Fifita
Jordan Kahu
Andrew McCullough
Anthony Milford
Corey Oates
Nick Cotric
Sia Soloiola
Siliva Havili
Adam Elliott
Ray Faitala-Mariner
Kieran Foran
Marcelo Montoya
Aiden Tolman
Sauaso Sue
Brandon Wakeham
Jayson Bukuya
Josh Morris
Cameron King
Anthony Don
Ryan James
Nathan Peats
Kevin Proctor
Tyrone Roberts
Moses Suli
Danny Levi
Jesse Bromwich
Cam Smith
Aidan Guerra
Herman Ese’ese
Connor Watson
Kyle Feldt
Jordan McLean
Nathan Brown
Kane Evans
Reed Mahoney
Brad Takairangi
Tyrone May
James Tamou
Alex Johnston
Latrell Mitchell
Jack de Belin
Issac Luke
James Graham
Euan Aitken
Mitch Aubusson
Jake Friend
Brett Morris
Adam Blair
Blake Green
Peta Hiku
Gerard Beale
Chris Lawrence
Benji Marshall
Chris McQueen
Elijah Taylor
Originally published as Off-contract stars the biggest casualties of NRL’s new wage war