Two NRL heavyweights have drawn the attention of the league after being found in breach of multiple rules in recent seasons.
The Melbourne Storm have been issued a breach notice and fined by the NRL following a review that found the club failed to follow proper team selection procedures on at least two occasions during the 2025 season, specifically involving a player on a training contract.
As a result, the Storm have been fined $25,000, with half of that amount suspended for a period of two years, reflecting the minor nature of the breaches and the club’s overall compliance record, according to the NRL.
The league noted that while clubs would normally be given several days to respond to breach notices, the Storm were afforded an extended period due to the timing at the end of the season and the administrative processes involved.
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Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters have been found to have breached salary cap regulations after an audit revealed they exceeded the supplementary list and training wage cap by $38,356 during the 2024 season, marking a minor technical breach of the rules.
In a statement, the NRL explained that while the Roosters’ breach was at the lower end of the scale, the club would be fined $36,070, reflecting the balance of the supplementary list and training wage overspend when applied against the underspend on the top 30 salary cap calculation for 2024.
The league further confirmed that the $36,070 fine would also be applied to the club’s future supplementary list and training wage salary cap calculations, ensuring the adjustment carries forward into coming seasons.
It is important to note that the breaches relate to training contracts rather than the NRL squad’s full-time top 30 salary cap or main roster.
Non-guaranteed contracts and training agreements are becoming increasingly complex in the modern game, as injuries and player usage have led to a rise in these types of contracts across the NRL, making compliance both more challenging and unpredictable.
Both clubs now face the task of ensuring full compliance moving forward and will be responding in due course to the NRL's findings.