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One of the favourite lines used by former NRL chief executive David Gallop was that local juniors could become local heroes.
Young Penrith star Matt Moylan has become a local hero, but his development from local junior into first grade footballer has been temporarily derailed by the current salary cap rules.
The cap and the way it functions was already under review before Moylan’s journey took a detour to Parkes and a NSW Cup game against Newtown.
He should’ve been starting at fullback for Penrith against the Wests Tigers in the NRL.
His demotion forms part of a larger discussion into the structure of the cap, but having a face and a cause to put beside a problem might expedite a process that might’ve otherwise meandered without any pressing need for a quick solution.
Currently, clubs have $5.85 million to spend on the top 25 players on their roster.
Below that is a system that allows for $375,000 to be spent on players outside of the top 25.
Moylan fell into the latter category.
Penrith aren’t completely blameless in this saga.
While it’s perhaps unfair to criticise them for not having foresight that would make Nostradamus envious, the decision to exclude Moylan from their top 25 is still one the Panthers have to take responsibility for.
Now, after their injury toll climbed up one side of Mount Everest and down the other, they’re wearing the consequences.
Whether the second tier salary cap is still relevant is something that needs investigation.
One argument is that it’s partly there to save clubs from themselves.
If the money allocated for the second tier cap was just thrown on top of the existing limit, then clubs searching for all or nothing success might not leave themselves any room to move when injury strikes.
The second tier cap could still function, but with some tweaks.
At the moment it doesn’t matter if a club leaves room under its main cap, but blows its second tier cap.
For example: If club X leaves $300,000 under its salary cap, but due to injury blows its second tier cap half way through the season, they can’t dip into that buffer zone.
Even that is a Rubik’s cube though.
The second tier cap clearly isn’t enough, but the buffer zone might not be either. Would simply raising the second tier cap eliminate a large part of the problem?
Trying to predict the extent of an injury toll is like trying to pick the exact number of lollies in a jar at a school fete.
So, how does the NRL ensure players like Matt Moylan aren’t left to dwell in the NSW Cup while still making sure each club doesn’t spend more than a set amount?
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