They’re the 9 faces of the NRL’s altering of the guard — gamers who had been as soon as among the many highest paid within the league however at the moment are on considerably lowered contracts.
The NRL has undergone a large shake-up in its high earners as an exodus of ageing expertise and the emergence of a bunch of younger stars transforms the wage panorama.
A months-long particular investigation has uncovered the highest 102 salaries to type the annual NRL Rich 100, whose mixed price has elevated to a staggering $77.5 million this yr.
There are 21 new faces within the record, fuelled by retirements and departures to the UK Super League.
But the most important cause for change has been the dramatic discount in wage from gamers who’ve spent years being among the many highest paid within the sport.
SEE THE FULL NRL RICH LIST HERE
Collectively, Matt Lodge, Moses Mbye, Jordan McLean, Josh Hodgson, Marty Taupau, Jarrod Wallace, Kodi Nikorima, Tariq Sims and Jack Hetherington earned greater than $6.5 million final yr as all of them held courtroom within the Rich 100.
However this season, regardless of nonetheless enjoying within the NRL, the group are not among the many sport’s 102 highest-paid gamers after their new contracts kicked in.
Sydney Roosters prop Lodge, who’s looking out for a brand new membership in 2024, is on a fraction of his $900,000 wage from final season.
Hodgson (Eels), Taupau (Broncos), Wallace (Dolphins), Nikorima (Dolphins), Sims (Storm) and Hetherington (Knights) all switched groups within the low season, and that got here with a sacrifice of wage as their roles modified.
While their contracts have retracted, that hasn’t been the case for all of the gamers who switched golf equipment.
Former Parramatta ahead Marata Niukore’s four-year deal on the New Zealand Warriors made him the title of greatest mover within the NRL, coming from exterior the Rich 100 to cement himself because the twenty ninth highest-paid participant within the competitors at $840,000.
Niukore headlines a listing of gamers whose change of golf equipment got here with a big wage improve, together with Brandon Smith ($800,000), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ($800,000), Dylan Walker ($700,000), John Bateman ($670,000), Isaiah Papali’I ($640,000) and Reed Mahoney ($600,000).
NRL salaries have skyrocketed due to a 22 per cent enhance within the top-30 wage cap that lifted every membership’s wage invoice to $11.45m.
Players who had ratchet clauses of their enjoying contracts bought a fair greater bump, courtesy of an 18 per cent enhance.
That has resulted in a file 12 million-dollar gamers within the NRL this season, 4 greater than final yr and breaking the 2020 file of 10 stars on seven-figure annual salaries.
2023 DROPOUTS
Players not among the many NRL Rich 100
Name Club 2022 wage
Matt Lodge Roosters $900,000
Moses Mbye Dragons $900,000
Jordan McLean Cowboys $750,000
Josh Hodgson Eels $720,000
Marty Taupau Broncos $700,000
Jarrod Wallace Dolphins $700,000
Kodi Nikorima Dolphins $650,000
Tariq Sims Storm $650,000
Jack Hetherington Knights $550,000
Source: www.foxsports.com.au