The game’s women players are worried they are putting their careers at risk as the NRL and the Players Association continue to haggle over the salary cap for 2023.
No NRLW players can sign contracts for next season, which kicks off in July, until the dispute is resolved.
But the girls are training hard – fully aware of the dangers involved.
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“We are doing contact training but are not on contract,” one leading NRLW player told me.
“If I do my ACL, it could be the end of my career and I have no financial security.
“It’s a real worry.”
The four new NRLW clubs for next season – the Cowboys, Tigers, Sharks and Raiders – are particularly feeling the pinch.
“We can’t sign players while everyone is dragging their heels over the salary cap,” one coach told me.
“We cannot get players to commit – and I don’t blame them when we can’t make proper offers to them.”
RLPA boss Clint Newton acknowledges the problem and hopes to settle matters with the NRL soon.
“It’s an ongoing process and we had another meeting last week,” Newton said.
“The women who played in the World Cup put their next season at risk because they are uncontracted so it’s not ideal.
“We are aware of their plight and hopefully can resolve something soon.”
HOW VETERAN ALMOST LANDED AT PANTHERS
At 31, Sam Williams may have retired from the NRL but the itch to keep playing remains.
Williams, who had three stints with his beloved Canberra Raiders, has signed on as captain-coach with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos.
But what few people know is that Williams came close to getting a start with premiers Penrith, as replacement for Dolphins-bound Sean O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan played 10 NRL games this year as back-up for star halfback Nathan Cleary and the premiers were looking at Williams, a cool organiser with a good kicking game, to fill a similar role.
In the end, the Panthers went for former Knight Jack Cogger, who played this year for Huddersfield in England, but the deal with Williams came close.
WORLD CUP STAR EYEING NRL START
Irish international forward Henry O’Kane has switched from the Tigers to the Sharks in a bid to break into the NRL.
Despite playing for Wests in the NSW Cup last season, the 20-year-old backrower was chosen to play for Ireland in the World Cup.
The strapping forward was born in Sydney but has Irish descendants, which made him eligible for the tournament.
The Sharks have plenty of strength in the forwards and it won’t be an easy path for O’Kane.
But the youngster will do some training with the NRL squad over the summer before starting in the lower grades and from there, the ball is in his court.
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TOWERING DRAGON BANGING ON DOOR
A tall backrower in the Ben Creagh mould could be a surprise packet at the Dragons in 2023.
Alex Lobb, currently on a train and trial deal, is turning heads with his work in the pre-season.
The 21-year-old played for the Dragons in the Flegg Cup last season and was a standout.
“He’s not far off the top 30,” a Dragons insider told me.
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