The NRL are expected to reject the final settlement proposal delivered by the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA), ending their hopes of a resolution before the State of Origin opener next Wednesday. The relationship between the two organisations hit a new low when club bosses withdrew from a meeting that also had Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans among the game’s top players. Earlier, the club bosses had been invited to attend a teleconference by NRL chief, Andrew Abdo, to assess the likelihood of head office pushing back on the latest and final offer from the players’ union.
It was later revealed that the club representatives had withdrawn from a similar meeting with RLPA player delegates; Cherry-Evans took time out of the Maroons‘ Origin preparations in an endeavour to explain the players’ stance to the club officials.
According to anonymous sources, the NRL believed the RLPA had added several items to its settlement proposal that had not been the topic of genuine negotiation. On the other hand, the RLPA insists its submission was made in good faith. Cherry-Evans, along with Wade Graham and Christian Welch, planned to meet with player delegates from the 17 NRL clubs, with the intention of discussing the final settlement proposal.
This deadlock between the NRL and its playing group has dragged on for seven months after the previous agreement had expired; there are concerns that the two parties may not reach a compromise. The last collective bargaining agreement was never signed by the NRL and RLPA.
The RLPA had lodged a final offer last week; they aimed to address player-contract concerns and wanted the pay deal finalised before the state sides met next week. The RLPA proposed that the NRL establish a central register where all contract offers to players would be recorded. Players would not be permitted to negotiate with other clubs until November 1 of their final contracting year, while club officials and coaches would be barred from discussing potential player signings.
The RLPA also said it agreed that the NRL could amass a $300 million asset base before players were given a portion of above-forecast revenue. The NRL believes it has already made many concessions from the terms and conditions of the last deal and has already outlined the club-funding model and salary cap to the 17 franchises. Brett Clegg, the facilitator trying to prompt a resolution, wrote to clubs expressing his own frustration with the process.