News NRL retains top-30 roster system as salary cap cut by 10 per cent

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Fears that up to 100 players could be lost to the game due to a reduction in squad sizes have been allayed by an NRL proposal to keep the top-30 system.However, it will come at a cost as players brace for a pay cut of about 10 per cent next year.The NRL held a hook-up with the 16 club chief executives on Wednesday to outline its contracting blueprint for 2021.

It was widely expected that the current top-30 system for each team could be reduced by as many as five spots to save costs in response to the coronavirus outbreak. However, the NRL has opted not to change the system, cognisant of the fact that such a fundamental change so late in the season would not give clubs the necessary time to adjust.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has previously spoken about his desire to ensure that fringe players don’t fall through the cracks and vowed to fight to keep the number at 30.

Each club is currently allowed an additional six development players, who can transition into first grade in the second half of the season or if there is an injury crisis. However, the number of development players is likely to be reduced to between two and four for next season.

The changes will be welcomed by a raft of off-contract players, many of whom haven’t been able to finalise new deals while clubs waited for head office to outline its contracting strategy.

While the decision will save playing careers, it will come at a cost. The base salary cap is currently $9.5 million, which rises slightly when allowances – such as those for veterans and the retirement fund – are factored in. However, the players will share in a reduction of almost $1 million a team in order to ensure jobs aren’t cut.

NRL players are going to cop a pay cut next year.Credit:Getty Images

The proposal is yet to be signed off by the Rugby League Players’ Association, which will go to its members this week to gauge their reaction. It is likely that the salary sacrifice will be more palatable than a roster reduction that would squeeze teammates out of the workplace altogether.

The NRL has also made other determinations that will help clubs with their off-season planning. Players are expected to stay in their respective club bubbles for three days after their last game of the season, giving teams a chance to conclude off-season reviews before integrating back into society. The earliest any team is permitted to recommence pre-season training is November 16.

All players will enjoy seven weeks of annual leave – up from the current six – to give them an opportunity to spend more time with their friends and families. The decision will be warmly welcomed by those most affected by the league lockdowns, such as the Warriors and Storm.

Senior players will only be expected to participate in one pre-season trial next year, a further measure to ensure they remain fresh for the upcoming season.

Due to the compact nature of the State of Origin series at the end of the season, NSW and Queensland will pick squads of 27 players, which can begin being named from October 19. The final salary figure is still being determined, but the $30,000-a-game payments won’t be feasible. Instead, the total money available will likely be halved and spread among the larger squad.

The NRL concedes that retiring players will unlikely get their customary farewell. Normally, the departing stars are paraded on grand final day in front of their families, but biosecurity issues and crowd constraints could change that.

The clubs will be relieved when the contracting changes are ratified, providing the clarity required to shape their squads for next year.
 

ALX25

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The NRL concedes that retiring players will unlikely get their customary farewell. Normally, the departing stars are paraded on grand final day in front of their families, but biosecurity issues and crowd constraints could change that.
Easy fix, have the players photo or a banner projected around the field. Have the players introduce themselves and talk about their NRL career.
 

Freakzilla

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Retaining 30 man squads, common sense prevails...
30 man squads isn't common sense. You should be able to use any player under contract to your club that is 18 or over.
 

Psycho Doggie

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30 man squads isn't common sense. You should be able to use any player under contract to your club that is 18 or over.
Yeah that would be even better. Technically you can use more than your 30 man squad if you get enough injuries. But retaining a 30 man squad rather than going down to 28 or even less is a good result given how many people thought this was what was about to happen.

Really the ideal would be to change the failed salary cap system, or get rid of it altogether. It sounds like Johnson has taken unders to stay at Souffs, which really ought to be a salary cap violation of some sort. Whos to know if Uncle Rusty isn't slipping him a wad of $50s on the side?
 

Freakzilla

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Yeah that would be even better. Technically you can use more than your 30 man squad if you get enough injuries. But retaining a 30 man squad rather than going down to 28 or even less is a good result given how many people thought this was what was about to happen.

Really the ideal would be to change the failed salary cap system, or get rid of it altogether. It sounds like Johnson has taken unders to stay at Souffs, which really ought to be a salary cap violation of some sort. Whos to know if Uncle Rusty isn't slipping him a wad of $50s on the side?
No one should have the power to tell a club how much they can pay a player besides setting a minumum for the entire league.
 
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