Clearly that's not how it works. But clubs continually not having to pay market value for a player makes a mockery of the salary cap. Especially when it's the only metric used to spread a very shallow pool of talent across the league.
And, sorry to be negative, but this brings me to another one of my big issues with the game at the moment. I mentioned player entitlement before (players who demand particular positions) but, probably, my biggest reservation, suspicion, frustration and, in the end, HATE, is of the salary cap. It's one thing that the weaker clubs have to pay way overs to secure any of the decent players (that's to be expected as these clubs need to balance their unattractiveness with more cash) but, the fact that the strong clubs (and one in particular) are able to rort the cap by with TPAs and dishonest salary disclosures is a real damnation of the game. Surely, someone in the NRL administration can show some balls and, finally, do something about it!!
By the way these are the aspects of the game that I believe are killing it at the moment, in no particular order;
*Rorting of salary cap
*Inconsistent implementation of salary cap penalties (the Farah ambassador role fiasco)
*Inconsistent and biased refereeing decisions
*Willy willy-nilly nature of 6 again calls
*Inconsistent judiciary decisions that smack of club/ player favouritism
Yes, I'm saying there's corruption in the game.
*The wrestle (and constant holding down, shoving in the play the ball)
*The endless bombs and equal points reward for a lucky try from a kick as compared to try scored through the hands.
*knock-ons that are clearly not knock-ons
*Fullbacks forced into the in goal after a brave and skilful take of a bomb.
*3 or 4 players ganging up to drag a player over the sideline.
Yes, I'm saying the game sometimes lacks basic fairness.
*Unwillingness of the administrators to do anything about much of the above
*other areas I have not thought of
Once again, apologies for my negativity and I realise that my diatribe should probably be on another thread....should I start one moderators? I've needed to get this all off my chest for some time and I'm sure I speak for others when I say that the game could be so much better, especially if it wants to keep all its loyal fans.
Having said all this, I obviously still enjoy the game and I definitely love the Wests Tigers.........unreservedly!