Manly Sea Eagles forward Andrew Davey has revealed his frustration over not being able to sign a contract at any club for 2023 as lengthy negotiations over salary cap size continue between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association.
Davey is off-contract at the end of the 2022 season having found excellent form and a permanent spot in Manly's starting second row.
Returning from injury, Davey has been one of the season's good news stories, however, has been told by the Sea Eagles that he won't be offered a contract for the 2023 season.
It means Davey has been linked with both the Parramatta Eels and Canterbury Bulldogs in recent times, however, is yet to find a new home for next season.
He told the media on Friday that it's the clubs' uncertainty over salary cap size for next year which has meant he has thus far been unable to find a new club.
"It's frustrating that it has taken this long," Davey said.
"It's a lot of things. A lot of clubs don't know where they are at because the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) still hasn't been finished.
"That's frustrating for the clubs, trying to get their roster together, but also for players who haven't got a contract signed.
"Like it's mid-August. What are we doing?"
The current NRL player bargaining agreement expires on November 1, meaning a new one will have to be signed by then, however, that isn't providing much comfort to plenty of players still off contract for next year as remaining roster spots dwindle.
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Davey is joined by the likes of Corey Oates, Albert Kelly, Billy Walters, Joe Stimson, Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, Aiden Tolman, Martin Taupau, Daejarn Asi, Matt Eisenhuth, Jaeman Salmon, Isaiah Tass, Angus Crichton, Matthew Lodge, Jock Madden and James Tamou as the biggest names without a contract for 2022.
AAP reports clubs have been told to work off a figure of $9.4 million, and that it will not reduce below that, but may increase - at which point all contracts would be increased by the same percentage.