NRL 2022 News: Sydney Roosters salary cap, 100 highest paid players, James Tedesco, Luke Keeley

A list showing the NRL’s 100 highest paid players shows the Roosters have seven players listed, which could lead to some big problems ahead of the 2023 season.

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At NRL 360, Rothfield said, “We’ve found the 100 highest-paid players in the tournament, and it shows that the Roosters with the list will be under some cap pressure.

“In 2022, Tedesco $1.1 million, Luke Carey $850,000, Joseph Manu ($720,000), Jared Walea Hargreaves ($700,000), Angus Crichton ($700,000), Sio Siua Taukeiaho ($625,000), Victor Radley ($510,000) total $5,205,000.

“The 2021 cap is only $9.4 million, so there are a lot of low-paid players.

“The problem with the Roosters is they have to throw Brandon Smith in there next year, and they have to throw Joseph Suary in his $700,000 next year.

“The other problem is that Sam Walker is out of contract next year. As you know, there aren’t many great young halves out there, so he has to make a lot of money.”

NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent was baffled as to how the Roosters could put together a team when they were so baffled by their seven.

“How do you get 23 more players for $4.2 million?” Kent asked.

“That’s a lot of money for seven players.”

Fellow co-host Brace Anasta took it back to Rothfield and asked if the club would run into great trouble keeping everyone.

“Angus Crichton isn’t on that list, and his contract for 2023 hasn’t been registered yet, so if you include Angus Crichton, that’s nearly $6 million,” Rosfield said.

“I spoke with Nick Politis (Roosters boss) today and here is his position on the salary cap: Boyd Cordner has retired medically and lost $720,000 from the salary cap.

“Sam Beryls, Ronald Volkmann, Lachlan Lamb, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Daniel Surka Fifita were some of the minor players who moved to the Souths.

“So they probably lost $1.5 million on players including Taukeiaho.

“If they don’t sound the alarm to their players and fans, I still think they’re going to be in trouble.”

However, journalist Brent Read has revealed that the salary cap is set to rise by $1.5 million after at least 2023.

“It should be said that next year’s cap has not been set and will be raised,” Reid said.

“There will be a big meeting on Thursday between the NRL and the club CEO regarding the salary cap.

“I think it will be at least $12 million next year.”

first published as Seven Sydney Roosters players have brought a salary cap nightmare to the club