It's a meme. ex-Rooster players are joking. Brett Finch is one of those players and on the Matty Johns Podcast when he was being serious repeated basically what I've told you just more in detail/professional (he also jokes that he was a bad footballer, but he really wasn't). You're basically telling me to take your word when you've got nothing to show me (for all I know you don't have any ex-Rooster friends, considering you think ex-Roosters players on TV - I've seen every bit of content/media this year, are serious). Also every club in theory could do what you're saying (payments outside the cap) and get away with it (I also believe a few players would come out with proof and expose them). I'd rather believe that no one is and if you haven't been caught then innocent until proven guilty...
I admit I only like to hate/beat the Roosters because they're successful/the best team in the NRL. I'm not going to be pathetic and resort to calling them cheaters tho. I understand that it's easier to recruit at all levels when you're on top. As long as the Roosters are at the top and manage their roster correctly they're never going to fall (that isn't possible, they'll eventually fall). They spend the same as any club, but in recent times are able to sign players for cheaper, e.g. 100k under their value because they're successful and you're more likely to develop into a better player signing there (e.g. Tedesco, Roosters deserve so much credit).