The NRL has rejected a request by Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic to take a $750,000 pay cut in the salary cap over the next two years as a gesture of good faith.
The Sea Eagles fullback, who has been plagued by injuries over the past five years, applied to reduce his $1.15 million salary by almost a quarter after he was sidelined for two months following a hamstring injury against the Dolphins back in round 10.
Burdened by the knowledge that he had played just 28 games in three seasons for the club to that point, Trbojevic approached Manly powerbrokers about taking a significant pay cut – a gesture of goodwill he believed would alleviate some pressure at the club and rid him of the guilt he was feeling for missing so many games.
However, the NRL salary cap auditor rejected the proposal on the grounds allowing a player to take a voluntary pay cut would set a dangerous precedent, and might encourage rival clubs to pressure their players to do likewise to create salary cap space.
Trbojevic wanted to repay the club for keeping faith in him through several injury setbacks and requested the money to be used to either sign external talent, reward internal players who were underpaid or help players secure contract extensions.
Manly officials applied to the NRL on behalf of Trbojevic, who told both the club and his management he wanted to relinquish a significant portion of his salary.
Tom Trbojevic on his way to the try line on Thursday night against the Tigers.Credit: NRL Photos
A Manly official, who declined to comment citing respect for Trbojevic, confirmed the fullback had approached the club seeking a pay cut.
Included in the proposal was Trbojevic’s intention to move from fullback to centre as a bid to alleviate the stress on his body that may have contributed to his injuries.
The average salary for a top-five centre in 2024 is $855,000, significantly less than the $1.15 million a season Trbojevic stands to earn until his contract expires at the end of 2026.
The average salary of a top-five fullback in 2024 is around $1.15 million, but Trbojevic felt uneasy at pocketing fullback money if he wasn’t playing the role.
When the NSW and Australian representative returned from injury in round 18, it was in the centres, although his positional switch was short-lived after fullback Tolu Koula suffered an injury that forced Trbojevic back to the No.1 jersey the following week. He has been in sublime form since.
Under NRL rules, players are not prohibited from taking a pay cut, but it does not reduce their value under the salary cap.
In the situation involving Trbojevic, the NRL would not have allowed the Sea Eagles to reduce his value in the salary cap, making his gesture pointless.
In rare situations, players can agree to take a pay cut on the proviso they are granted a contract extension, which can alleviate cap pressure on a football club by spreading out the salary of a player over a number of years.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now