QCup to gamble on wage ceilings

THE QRL insists the introduction of a “gentlemen’s agreement” on player spending is a change that needs to happen despite growing frustration over funding delays at NRL level.

As revealed yesterday’s Bulletin, the second-tier Queensland Cup in 2018 is set to introduce minimum and maximum figures able to be spent on players.

While there remains components to iron out once a salary cap at NRL level for next season is finally confirmed, the maximum price tag on any player is likely to be $40,000, including educational allowances.

With late September billed as the finishing post on financial talks at NRL level, several QCup bosses have expressed growing angst over the drawnout negotiations.

Despite the delays, QRL major competitions manager David Maiden says the radical ploy will reap benefits.

“The minimum and maximum wage will be to assist all our clubs financially long term,” he said.

“Until the salary cap and a whole other heap of components are finalised at the NRL level, we don’t know how much is in the tin for second tier and grassroots, which is frustrating.

“All our Intrust Super Cup clubs are trying to get set for next year (but) it’s a very complex business.

“There is still some uncertainty until we get that green light ... but we know what the bare bones are going to be.”

Maiden called suggestions of a salary cap at QCup level “a poor business model”, with the QRL instead favouring a system designed to allow smaller clubs to compete with cashedup rivals.

“That ($40,000 spend on a player) is quite a good level because it means you are going pretty well and have won quite a few matches,” Maiden said.

“But I’m also aware that not all our clubs can pay that to too many players, if any at all.

“It’s a double-edged sword and next year is going to be tough for everybody.”

The looming demise of the National Youth Competition, to be replaced by a state-based under-20s model, will broaden the talent at QCup level.

In a bid to handle the expected boom of under-20s talent QCup clubs have mooted a $5000 limit for players.

“It’s a transitional and aspirational pathway for our players,” Maiden said.

“We can’t afford to pay them (graduating players) over the odds and it’s going to be trouble for them and there is going to be a drop in wages (from what they are used to).” in