NRL Rich 100: Mascot Jets produce the most big earners of any junior club in Australia, New Zealand on 2024 list
While Western Sydney has long been renowned for its supply of rugby league talent, south-east Sydney is where the real gold lies. See which junior clubs have produced the most big earners in this year’s NRL Rich 100.
Mascot might not be the heartland of rugby league, but out of it flows rivers of NRL money.
While Western Sydney has long been renowned for its seemingly endless supply of league talent - particularly during Penrith’s dynasty - it’s in south-east Sydney where the real gold is.
An analysis of this year’s NRL Rich 100 includes four Mascot Jets juniors.
SEE THE FULL 2024 RICH 100 LIST.
It’s the most of any rugby league junior club in Australia and New Zealand.
Warriors and Cronulla-bound star Addin Fonua-Blake is the Jets’ biggest earner in 2024 at $1.05m, good fot tenth spot on the annual list.
He is the third highest paid prop in the competition.
South Sydney captain Cameron Murray ($1m), Warriors utility Dylan Walker ($700k), and Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi ($650k) also feature.
All four players either currently play for the Rabbitohs, or were previously part of the system.
Other junior clubs with a high representation are the Holy Cross Rhinos, Otahuhu Leopards and Berala Bears, all with three.
Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses ($1.2m, third), Manly five-eighth Luke Brooks ($650k, 71st) and South Sydney prop Junior Tatola ($600k, 104th) all hail from the Rhinos.
North Queensland veteran Jason Taumalolo ($950k, 22nd), Gold Coast forward Isaac Liu ($650k, 77th) and Warriors centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($650k, 80th) played for the Leopards.
Manly second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu ($750k, 52nd), Wests Tigers captain Apisai Koroisau ($650k, 76th) and Tatola all graduated out of Berala.
Earlier this year, an investigation by this masthead revealed Otahuhu produced the most players out of this year’s crop of NRL talent, with a league-high 12 former juniors.
Junior clubs with two players in the NRL Rich 100 include the Mona Vale Raiders, Dundas Shamrocks, Temora Dragons, St Marys Saints, and Wentworthville Magpies in NSW.
In Queensland, Mackay Brothers, Cairns Kangaroos, Logan Brothers and Runaway Seagulls boast two each, as do the Harbour City Eagles and Manurewa Marlins in New Zealand.
Ince Rose Bridge in England also have two representatives on the list.
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