NRL fans are reacting to reports the Roosters have landed former premiership winner Sam Verrills on a one-year development deal worth only $80,000. Verrills was seeking a new home for 2027 after his contract finished with Titans at the end of the season.
Verrills was reportedly close to joining Super League side St Helens for next season. Although the deal fell through, which has seen the Roosters reportedly swoop in and land their former player on a cut-price deal.
The dummy-half has played 117 NRL games and was part of the Roosters’ NRL premiership winning side in 2019. He started in the NRL grand final against the Raiders and scored. The 27-year-old has plenty of experience in the NRL and appears set for a return to the Roosters.
The Daily Telegraph reports Verrills will return to the club on a one-year development deal. The publication reports he will be on around $80,000 in 2027 and will look to secure a long-term deal with the club beyond the season.
While this is a huge boost for Verrills, who doesn’t have to seek a move to the Super League, it has also raised eyebrows. Verrills is far from a youngster and has experience playing in a NRL grand final.
Sam Verrills (pictured) has reportedly signed with the Roosters for next season. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
NRL development deals are often used for younger players learning their craft outside the Top 30 roster. These six players could have their deal upgraded if a position becomes available.
Under NRL rules, clubs aren’t allowed to use players in first-grade who aren’t in the top-30 squad until after Round 10. The Roosters are handing Verrills a cut-price deal to join and it could be upgraded to play in 2027. Verrills would have likely been on a lot more money at the Titans, but fell down the pecking order last year.
Regardless, it is a huge pay cut to join the Roosters where he will likely play second-string to Reece Robson if he gets a contract upgrade. The Roosters have done nothing wrong, however the deal has not sat well with fans.
Rival supporters have been left flabbergasted the experienced dummy-half is joining his former club on a deal worth around $80,000. Many are wondering when the market value of a player is taken into account considering Verrills is experienced and played 13 games in 2026. Roosters fans would argue Verrills reportedly struggled to secure a contract at a rival club, which lowers his market value.
Market value of players causing a stir in NRL
The price of players is currently in the headlines as Raiders forward Hudson Young’s market value is up for debate as speculation mounts over a potential move to the PNG Chiefs. And last year, Matt Dufty joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a NSW Cup deal ahead of the season, despite having already played in the NRL and Super League.
The 30-year-old played his first NRL game since 2022 after the Rabbitohs sought an exemption to bring him into the squad in Round 7 due to injuries. Dufty ended up remaining at fullback for a large part of the season.
Matthew Dufty (pictured) joined the Rabbitohs and joined their Top 30 roster in Round 7 of the season. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)