Maybe only New ltd were aware of this top secret deal lol! Or maybe Vlandys and Abdo up to more tricks and spin?
Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary says players are prepared to sit out NRL games if the league doesn’t come to the party in the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
However, the World Cup winner is optimistic a deal can be sorted out before the new season.
“We’re prepared to sit out games. It’s obviously not something we want to do (because) it’s robbing the fans of what they want to see,” said Cleary, who is a Panthers delegate to the RLPA.
“In saying that, it’s something we’re prepared to do to get our fair share.
“I think it’s just about the NRL coming to the party and wanting to find that middle ground where we can have that fair share. At the moment, unfortunately, it hasn’t happened yet so we’ll have to wait and see.”
Cleary’s comments came hours after the RLPA shot down reports that they’ve received any new financial offers from the Australian Rugby League Commission as the parties attempt to sort out a joint CBA for NRLW and NRL players.
The CBA has been delayed by more than three months, although key progress was made earlier in the week when the parties announced an in-principle agreement for NRLW financial terms.
The actual CBA hasn’t been finalised yet, with the RLPA releasing a statement on Thursday morning to let fans know
that they haven’t received a new financial offer from the ARLC since December 23.
“For the avoidance of doubt, a financial offer from the ARLC is a total figure that captures all the players’ salaries, benefits and funding for programs,” the statement read.
“The last financial offer the RLPA received from the ARLC and NRL was on December 23rd, 2022 for $1.347b.
“The ARLC financial proposal was recycled and positioned as new information to the media,” the statement continued.
“Given the relative progress that was made during last week’s negotiations, as well as Tuesday’s official announcement of an in-principle agreement for NRLW financial terms, this does not help either party make further progress.
‘We’re prepared to do it’: Cleary threatens strike action unless players get ‘our fair share’
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