The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have launched an appeal to the NRL as a portion of Josh Jackson’s salary has counted towards this season’s salary cap.
Jackson retired at the end of last season with a year remaining on his $600,000 contract but has since been employed by the Bulldogs as a strength and conditioning coach. The NRL has added $200,000 of Jackson’s final year contract to the cap.
The Bulldogs are reportedly unhappy with the NRL’s decision and have lodged a complaint. However, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis explained that this safety measure has been imposed by the NRL to avoid clubs rorting the salary cap.
“The NRL has included about $200,000 of Josh Jackson’s wage in the cap for this year,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He was on a big deal with a contract worth about $600,000. He was in the final year of his deal but opted to pull the pin and retire and he now has a job with the club.
“I don’t have that big of a problem (with the NRL) on this because it’s to safeguard the NRL and clubs from paying out players who they believe may not be worth the final year of their contract.
“I am not saying that is what has happened here with Josh Jackson but he hasn’t been medically retired and it was his own decision.
“I can understand the NRL’s reason behind it. They haven’t included the full $600,000 because that would be a bit over the top.
“It’s to safeguard against clubs who feel like they have done a bad deal and forced players into retirement.
“That’s what it’s there for.”
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould responded to the NRL’s decision on 100% Footy and described it as “a stupid rule” and the NRL were less than happy with the club’s appeal.
SEN’s Greg Alexander said that Jackson himself chose to retire and agreed with the NRL’s precautionary measures.
“(Jackson) gave up all that money (when he retired),” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He said I’m retiring and that’s it. The club didn’t have to give him the full contract.
“He’s earning money as an employee now.
“The NRL are simply investigating.”
