Minichiello on salary cap and loyalty

[Guest]

Read more; http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1227194978265


ROOSTERS legend Anthony Minichiello believes it’s time the NRL exempts senior players who have played at least a decade at the one club from the salary cap.

Minichiello, who enjoyed a stellar 15-season career at the Roosters, said the NRL needs to help keep veterans at the one club so they can mentor their younger teammates.

“Loyalty should definitely be rewarded,’’ he told The Daily Telegraph.

“I do think that there should be more concessions in the salary cap that rewards players who want to stay at one club.

“It’s nothing like the AFL which has fairly substantial concessions for senior players.

“Eight, 10 or 12-year players, by the end of it you should almost be exempt.”

Cam Smith with Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater are one-club players.


Under the AFL’s veterans’ allowance, clubs are exempt $118,380 per 10-year player.

The Sydney Swans had five veterans listed last year, saving them $591,900 under the AFL’s $10m salary cap. The NRL has a long serving player allowance, giving clubs a maximum of $250,000 allowance. This figure will increase to $300,000 next year.

Roosters CEO Brian Canavan said his club is comfortable with the current NRL concessions in place for established players.

He said if the NRL attempts to match the AFL’s figures clubs may not be able to meet their financial obligations to their players.

“You’ve still got to be able to pay the player,’’ Canavan said.

“We are comfortable with the player allowance.’’

Knights captain Kurt Gidley is a one-club player.


Knights skipper Kurt Gidley said both players and clubs should be rewarded for one-club players on their rosters.

“It’s a good thing, the longer you are around at the one club,” the 32-year-old said.

“You and the club deserve to get some kickbacks. I’m not talking about one club players getting more money. The club and the player deserves something for what they have put into the game. “A pat on the back for the player.

“There have been plenty of times when guys have been one club players and had offers and they have wanted to stay loyal.

“Loyalty is definitely going out of the game and it’s sad, it’s a bit disappointing.

“Look at the past few years, contracts are not worth anything. If a guy has two years to run on his contract and the coach or administration doesn’t like you, you’re pretty much gone … there’s not much you can do about it.”


In hindsight the Clubs with the $$$ would become unstoppable after 10 years, keeping the best players signed on the minimum during their first decade and reaping the rewards from then on??

[Hawkeye]

In hindsight the Clubs with the $$$ would become unstoppable after 10 years, keeping the best players signed on the minimum during their first decade and reaping the rewards from then on??

Can't see players wanting to play for peanuts for 10 years, and then getting big money after the 10th year.
There is no certainty for any player starting out that they are going to play 10 years, so if they play for say 5 or 6 years then get a career ending injury, they walk away from the game with minimal dollars.

Or even worse, what's to stop a club from paying someone peanuts for 7, 8 or even 9 years ....then get rid of them before the 10th, so as they have got several years of service from a guy and only paid minimal dollars to have him.

[Kingbilly]

He said if the NRL attempts to match the AFL’s figures clubs may not be able to meet their financial obligations to their players.

“You’ve still got to be able to pay the player,’’ Canavan said.

This is a very important statement. NRL fans seem to relish in these huge TV deals. But IMHO there is not way that can keep going up.
The current NRL management are incompetent and the false market will eventually spiral out of control. People will not continue to put up with more advertising on Ch9 nor the increases needed in the cost of foxtel to find these things

[davos]

Can't see players wanting to play for peanuts for 10 years, and then getting big money after the 10th year.
There is no certainty for any player starting out that they are going to play 10 years, so if they play for say 5 or 6 years then get a career ending injury, they walk away from the game with minimal dollars.

Or even worse, what's to stop a club from paying someone peanuts for 7, 8 or even 9 years ....then get rid of them before the 10th, so as they have got several years of service from a guy and only paid minimal dollars to have him.

Outside interest/opportunities from other clubs makes this notion virtually impossible. Most players at most clubs get paid around what they deserve and some get paid more than they deserve. Player agents are far too clever to demand otherwise from clubs.They may be a few that are underrated and are willing to take small paycuts to stay at a club they love, but in most cases agents make sure that this doesn't happen.