A new contracting system limiting mid-season player movement has been brokered in the "first breakthrough in rugby league's pay dispute," but it is not enough to "placate" National Rugby League players from "again hinting at industrial action," according to Proszenko & Lutton of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The NRL and the Rugby League Players Association were scheduled for a second consecutive day of talks on Wednesday, but "they were abandoned after both parties refused to budge on the issue of revenue sharing." They did, however, "find common ground on the model for contracting players and will make an official announcement on Thursday." Clubs will "now commit to an expanded squad" of 30 players from '18 in a move that limits the number of "Mitchell Moses-style mid-season transfers." The key outcomes include:
- Clubs can have three to six "development list" players -- on a minimum salary of A$60,000 ($45,560) plus match fees -- on their books.
- Minimum salaries for top-26 players will be A$100,000 ($75,940).
- Players 27-30 have a minimum salary of A$70,000 ($53,158), with no maximum salary constraints.
- No restrictions on payments to players under the age of 20 if they comprise the top-30 squad (SMH, 7/5).
