Publishing of NRL squads to provide greater transparency

Players and fans will be provided with greater transparency over rosters with a list of registered players for all 16 clubs in 2019 to be published on NRL.com on Friday at noon.

Under the terms of the CBA between the NRL and RLPA, each club is required to have the contracts of a minimum of 24 players registered by November 1. Clubs then have until March 1 to register 29 players and June 30 to finalise their top 30 squad.

The updated squads will be published on NRL.com at noon the day after each deadline.   

Most clubs have registered more than 24 players and the list of all players whose contracts have been registered by the NRL will be published on Friday.

Players whose contracts have yet to be finalised will not appear on the list but this does not mean they will not be signed and the player can be added to the top 30 squad at any later date.

The decision to publish the rosters on NRL.com will ensure players and agents are aware of which rosters have greater opportunity for them as well as providing fans with an insight into how their club’s squads are shaping up for the coming season.

"One of the clear advantages of clubs publicising their squads is that it provides all stakeholders across the game with a greater level of certainty, clarity and transparency," RLPA chief operating officer Tim Lythe said.

"This system can be beneficial in identifying opportunities for off-contract players that may exist at NRL clubs who are yet to complete their 30-man rosters.

"A number of changes to the contracting model were agreed to as part of the collective bargaining agreement last year, with this initiative now being implemented ahead of the 2019 season."

Each club's top 30 must fit under a $9.6 million salary cap in 2019, with the minimum wage for players ranked 1-26 on earnings being $105,000 and $72,500 for players 27-30.