Waiting game for $9m league talent
is the $9 million of Queensland rugby league talent facing uncertain NRL futures.
A staggering 36 off-contract players at the Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans who have been left in limbo by the coronavirus pandemic.
With the NRL season suspended indefinitely and a freeze put on player contracts, a host of the state’s biggest stars have been left to ponder what 2021 holds.
Among them is Broncos gun David Fifita, one of the code’s hottest talents, and Titans captains Ryan James and Kevin Proctor.
At the Cowboys, former Kangaroos prop Jordan McLean last month activated an option to remain at North Queensland for a further two years to cement his future.
The NRL’s clubs are expecting next year’s $10 million salary cap to be cut by 20-30 per cent, which has put a halt to contract negotiations.
The Broncos have been in talks with Fifita, Herbie Farnworth and Tesi Niu (development list player) to extend their contracts, but cannot formalise deals in the current climate.
The Broncos players with contract options in their favour – Anthony Milford, Andrew McCullough, Jack Bird, Jake Turpin and Corey Oates – have until the end of May to activate the deals.
Broncos legend Darren Lockyer said the competition suspension had thrown a curve ball into roster planning.
“It’s just a wait and see situation – everyone has pushed the pause button,” said Lockyer, a member of Brisbane’s recruitment and retention committee.
“We don’t know where the salary cap will end up and where this finishes.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty. We’re waiting to see where it all lands.”
The Cowboys put a freeze on re-signing players after poor results over the past two seasons and were waiting to see how their squad performed in 2020.
Premiership-winning players Gavin Cooper, John Asiata and Kyle Feldt are among 13 off-contract Cowboys players.
Cowboys football chief Peter Parr said the club would have to make some decisions once there was some certainty around the NRL season.
“There isn’t enough clarity to go forward,” said Parr.
“At some stage we will have to look to secure the roster and give people clarity. It’s just a bit early for that at the moment.”
New Titans coach Justin Holbrook wanted to get a good look at how the squad performed before making contract decisions.
But with the NRL season suspended until July 1 at the earliest, the likes of Anthony Don, Dale Copley, Nathan Peats, Tyrone Roberts and Proctor have been unable to present their cases for new deals.