The Daily Telegraph
Dean Ritchie
THE Sydney Roosters are under massive salary cap pressure and will look to off-load at least six players for next season, including Test forward Nate Myles.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Myles will be given permission to leave Bondi with a year still to run on his contract if he can secure a deal with Gold Coast Titans or Newcastle.
Myles met with Newcastle's Tinkler Group representatives yesterday.
Roosters officials fear the club could edge over the salary cap unless several players who are coming off contract are cut.
Former Test prop Jason Ryles, veteran hooker Mark Riddell, centre Phil Graham and Aidan Guerra are unlikely to be at the club next season. Anthony Watts' contract is certain to be terminated as well.
Fullback Anthony Minichiello has another year to run on his deal but the club would allow him to leave early if he secures a deal in England.Skipper Braith Anasta has agreed to a new deal but still not signed the contract. The Roosters will honour the deal.
The retention of some key young players and upgraded deals for others have the Roosters bursting at the seams in regards to their salary cap. Some of those players include Mitchell Pearce, Todd Carney, Mose Masoe and Martin Kennedy.
Rising star Tom Symonds also re-signed this week.
"Something has to give," a source close to the Roosters said. "The club just can't keep them all. Some guys have gone from second-tier contracts to some real decent money."The Roosters are under pressure and aware how tight their salary cap situation is."
There were suggestions this week that the money saved might enable club officials to have a real dash at All Black and former Canterbury Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams.
Roosters officials are not confident of signing Williams but are hopeful.
The two parties have made contact but Williams remains contracted to Canterbury, the club he walked out on three years ago.
The Daily Telegraph understands Canterbury would seek compensation of up to $1 million to release Williams from his contract, which expires at the end of next season."Sonny Bill Williams cannot play for another club until the 2013 season," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said.
Asked if he would consider a release for compensation, he said: "We would be happy to discuss commercial terms with any club interested in signing him earlier."
Pressed on whether his club would accept a player exchange from a club for Williams, Greenberg said: "No. It would be a commercial deal."
