Melbourne and North Queensland’s $1.5m salary cap loophole for Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston

Phil Rothfield, Exclusive, The Daily Telegraphan hour agoMELBOURNE Storm and the North Queensland Cowboys have found a legal way to exploit next year’s salary cap by a combined $1.5 million in staging a testimonial game for Maroons legends Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston.In a dangerous precedent, the NRL will allow the two clubs to play a trial match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in February with all gate takings, sponsorship, merchandise and potential TV rights being shared by the two superstars.They could become the code’s first $2 million stars by collecting up to $750,000 each — which is exempt from the salary cap — on top of their $1.3 million playing contracts.The timing is interesting in that Smith, as president of the RLPA, is entangled in bitter negotiations with NRL powerbrokers over the collective bargaining agreement.Melbourne Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph on Thursday.His club could the benefit again next year by putting on a similar ‘charity’ game for Billy Slater.Under the ‘testimonial’ arrangement, the Storm could hypothetically pay the champion fullback less than his market value but offer him up to $750,000 from a one-off game.The code’s rules allow for testimonial matches but they are rarely approved by the NRL.Given the status of these two players the NRL felt it was appropriate.Both clubs and the players’ managers have worked on the loophole for a number of months.NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said Smith and Thurston deserved the chance to play in a testimonial match.“We do not approve these matches lightly but there is no doubt these are two of the best players to play the game,” he said.“Not only have they reached the highest level in representing their State and country but they have done it in style.“They are both a credit to the game and fans deserve the chance to pay respect to them.”It also opens the door for rival clubs to escape salary cap pressure by offering other long-time champions like Paul Gallen at the Cronulla Sharks a money-making swan song.It is interesting in that Smith has been one of the most vocal critics of the NRL in the recent pay dispute.He has even threatened to boycott the Dally M Awards by recently saying: “If it’s the right thing to do for our playing group I’m willing to sacrifice that night.”‘Off the record’ conversations with club chief executives indicate there will be a backlash.Especially at clubs like the Canterbury Bulldogs who are desperately trying to move players on but unaware that players like their skipper James Graham could also have been offered a testimonial.

"Thats a good side bem. Joash looked more confident and stronger in the trials, and his quick footwork really confused the opposition. If he's on the bench he needs to get onto the park"

"Iongi; JAC, Russell, Penisini, Simonsson; Pezet, Moses;
Hopgood, Smith, Paulo; Williams, Kautoga; Doorey.
Bench: Da Silva, Tuivati, De Belin, Walker, Samrani, Papalii. "

Replies

Perpetual Motion August 31, 2017 at 10:42pm

Wow
Dave August 31, 2017 at 10:46pm

meh

As long as the NRL is consistent this is a non issue

Look at the Watmough injury case

the NRL approved that but knocked back Brett Stewart and probably but not yet officially Matai.
- Glenn Lifetime Eel > Dave September 1, 2017 at 9:48am
  
  I'll set out the facts for the last time. Watmough suffered an new injury which ended his career, both Stewart and Matai were signed with their existing injuries so they get no relief.
  
  In summary for career ending injuries,
  
  new injury = not counted on cap
  
  existing injury = still counted on cap
Parra fan on The Hill August 31, 2017 at 10:47pm

Testimonials should be for raising money for charity as opposing to a fatter pocket lining for the players.
- Dave > Parra fan on The Hill August 31, 2017 at 10:49pm
  
  true but that is another argument
- John Eel > Parra fan on The Hill September 1, 2017 at 4:36pm
  
  The reason you do not see them in the game anymore is that the NRL knock them on the head. The not so subtle implication here from beet root cheeks is that it has been done to appease these 2 and get the CBA across the line
BlacJac August 31, 2017 at 10:53pm

I hate Queenslanders
- Scott-JaneBigCatEvans-Selmes > BlacJac September 1, 2017 at 12:02am
  
  +1
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown August 31, 2017 at 10:53pm

WTF!! How is this fair?
- Scott-JaneBigCatEvans-Selmes > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 1, 2017 at 12:05am
  
  The referees are fair in very game so one would assume the NRL Management would be also? lol

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