Canberra Raiders stars Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker might have locked in long-term deals, but those contracts could be hit by the coronavirus pandemic with the salary cup potentially reduced as a result.
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The NRL and Rugby League Players Association are locked in discussions to decide how much pay the players will lose this year following the indefinite suspension of the 2020 season.
It looks like the NRL will pay the players $19.2 million - about 1.5 months' pay - if the season doesn't resume, but nothing has been finalised.
The RLPA were waiting to see the outcome of Monday's phone hook-up between the NRL and the club chief executives, with a final decision made after that.
They still have to work out over how many months the money will be distributed and also the structure to ensure the lower-paid players are looked after.
Wighton's manager Matt Rose recently negotiated a lucrative four-year extension, believed to be worth about $3.5 million, but that was based on next year's $9.9 million salary cap.
Rose felt that could take a hit with uncertainty over exactly how the economic landscape will look post COVID-19.
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Croker has also extended for another four years, moving him closer to being a one-club player.
The Raiders and other NRL clubs have been forced to stand down staff in a bid to survive.
Sponsors and broadcasters have also been impacted, which will have flow-on effects in years to come.
"It's the unknown because you don't know where everything's going to go in terms of the salary cap or anything," Rose said.
"It may be reduced and they made need to look at how they then fit that all in.
"I don't think it's an easy solution. I think it's going to be a lot of thinking by clubs as well as they work everything out once they know the parameters on everything.
"I can't imagine us having the same salary cap anymore so then that changes current contracts. But how that changes we wouldn't have a clue at this stage because nothing's come back at this stage - other than wait and see where it all goes."
Rose spoke to Wighton Saturday morning and said the NSW and Australia representative was well.
He's keeping himself in shape with the gym equipment he has at home.
"I spoke to Jack this morning and he just finished doing some weights at home. He's keeping fit and waiting to here what's going on," Rose said.
"He's got a bit of a set-up there and is able to go on runs and stuff like that. He'll keep fresh. He started the season so good too, really good first game and they won the second one."
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
