Turbo’s stunning $750k pay cut request denied by NRL amid cap concerns

The Sea Eagles and Tom Trbojevic have had a request by the superstar fullback to take a significant pay cut denied by the NRL.

Tom Trbojevic reportedly put his hand up to take a pay cut. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Manly Sea Eagles and Tom Trbojevic have had a request by the superstar fullback to take a significant pay cut denied by the NRL.

According to the SMH’s Michael Chammas, Trbojevic approached the Sea Eagles about taking a pay cut worth $750,000 over the next two years.

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In an act of good faith, the injury-riddled Trbojevic wanted to forego a portion of his $1.1 million annual salary citing the fact he has only played in just under 30 games since the start of the 2022 season.

The 2021 Dally M winner, who has struggled with hamstring injuries throughout his career, is on track to this year play the most games he has in a season since 2018.

That’s despite missing nearly two months with another hamstring issue.

Tom Trbojevic reportedly put his hand up to take a pay cut. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Assuming he plays the final two games of the regular season against the Bulldogs and Sharks, he will have featured in 19 matches with the potential to play more during the finals series with Manly assured of a top-eight finish.

Trbojevic was hoping the slice of his salary he gives up can go towards underpaid players on Manly’s roster or used to sign talent from rival clubs, however, the NRL nixed the Sea Eagles’ proposal, believing it could set a dangerous precedent.

In addition, the salary Trbojevic was hoping to forgo wouldn’t be able to be used towards deals of other players as under the NRL’s rules, pay cuts aren’t reflected in the value under the salary cap.

The SMH also reported that part of the reason behind Trbojevic’s unselfish action was to propose a move from fullback into the centres in order to preserve his body given his lengthy injury history.

As centres are paid far less than fullbacks in the NRL marketplace, Trbojevic made the point that if he was to move positions, he should be paid more like a centre rather than earning the type of coin one of the game’s leading fullbacks would.

Since returning from his fifth hamstring injury in Round 18, Trbojevic has arguably been the form player of the competition.

The Sea Eagles have won five of seven games since Trbojevic’s return, averaging nearly 33 points.

Originally published as Turbo’s stunning $750k pay cut request denied by NRL amid cap concerns