The Marquee player will obviously be the player who is earning the most money at that particular club.

Thinking about it, how does the home grown work (if indeed that's still in existence?) I seem to remember if a home grown player has a certain amounts of England/GB caps then they get a certain amount of their wages off the cap. For example, Wigan could have Sam Tomkins exempt due to the home grown rule, Sean O'Loughlin would also have some kind of exemption and then on top of that they would have their marquee player.

Or am I getting this totally wrong?

Kevin Locke ?

There are exemptions like that. This is why Catalans are generally allowed to spend more than any other club, should they wish.

However, it was reported last week that the marquee player may work like this:

– If said player came through your own club’s academy setup: cap value = £0
– Otherwise: cap value = £100,000

Whether or not this was the version voted through, I don’t know.



I imagine the likes of Sutcliffe at Leeds, who may get £250k+ thrown at him from Union or down under in the next year or two. This is what made me think why Hetherington got onboard with the idea.

Yes. It's not just about bringing great players in. It is also about keeping the best players from going to the NRL or, even worse, to that other game.

It wasn't what was voted through. Club trained player still counts for 100k of SC, non club trained player will still count 175k of your SC. Also teams must pass Income/expenditure rules to even qualify to be allowed a Marquee Player.

Anyone could. You could make Ryan Bailey your marquee player and pay him £1m per season if you chose to. There are no criteria on how it's used.

On your Tomkins point, I'd have Hardaker and Ratchford at his level now.

From what I've been told at least 1 (more likely to be 2) of our current "star" players will be playing in the NRL next season. One of them he have ample back up for, the other we certainly don't!!! I'm not naming names but I think most of you will be able to work out who I'm talking about.

I heard the same rumour last week but wasn't it quashed in yesterday's MEN article?

Didn't see the article mate... I'll have a look now...

I don't understand some salford fans I really don't!! I don't know if it's the lack of none of them play the sport an just shout from a stand or that they don't see that the team we have now well the majority of them are garbage I feel for the poor doc an I hope he goes out an buys a star player we don't need a full back we need the centre an forwards for next year!! I say we buy a star second row/loose an then the squad an a few more key signings will be fine

Good news as far as Salford is concerned, as long as they can make room for £175k off the current cap – substance for the Locke out rumours, perhaps?

However, I not sure this is going to do much to halt the so-called talent drain. What are we talking? Six marquee players max? And one of those we already know about. This is marquee lite, and benefits the richer clubs a lot more.

Seconds and loose we are o.k for. We need two experienced props possibly from Aussie, Test or just recently test level. I feel this will make a massive difference to the team

The question is will Salford qualify for a marquee player? The criteria is based on income and expenditure so it will leave Salford with no option but to reluctantly accept the massive Etihad Airways sponsorship offer.

Who we only have Hansen, Patterson is out if contract so fingers crossed he signs an hauraki so we have 3 decent back rowers when a good singing will boost them for a stronger bench to

Apologies in advance if I am wrong but didn't your owner recently say that he is finished with "big time charlies" and would rather plough his money into the academy set up.

I can't honestly see how Salford will be able to sign a marquee player because of the new income to expenditure rule. The RFL will be enforcing something similar to the FIFA financial fair play regulations in football. I think the Doc is pleased because it's a change that he championed for.

I think it's an extremely unique quality for somebody in RL to put the sport as a whole before the best interests of their own club or themselves. If the same selflessness had happened over the past few decades rugby league would not be a second rate minority sport, geographically played around a 107 mile motorway.

I assume you're talking about Junior Sa'u?

With regards to this marquee player, who is going to want to sign with Salford after seeing how Marwan has treated Kevin Locke? I'm sure some money grabber will, but it doesn't exactly paint the prettiest picture of Salford Red Devils does it.

Perhaps there is a reason. There's no smoke without fire.

Does the marquee player still count on the quota if they are from overseas?

Nope not Sa'u... someone more high profile but like someone said on here that rumour appears to have been quashed in the MEN (maybe just a cover up like the Tasi rumours tho).

Patterson by any chance

I don't know how to do links but in todays Yorkshire Post Gary Hetherington has challenged Marwan to now put his money where his mouth is. He says its Marwan thats been pushing for the marquee signing and was mentioning players like Sonny Bill and Billy Slater. Quite strong words and theres obviously no love lost.

the rumour was also 'he will never play for salford, again' we'll see how true that is, tonight.

Bit left field but I'd be tempted to go for Bryce Cartwright from Penrith, brilliant ball playing back row who would be the perfect number 13, you see so much of his Uncle in him.

Don't know with him being so young if we would need to make him the Marquee signing as not sure he will be on a huge contract in the NRL, but for me he would be unstoppable in SL.