This talk that we have the most expensive spine in the NRL didn't sound right, so I pulled the numbers:
BRONCOS
Walsh - $1M
Mam - $750k
Reynolds - $550k
Hunt - $600k
SPINE TOTAL = $2.9M
(But keep in mind they have Haas on $1.1M, Carrigan on $750, Staggs on $700k)
Top 7 players = $5.45M. average of $780k per player.
NOTE: Reynolds and Hunt are obviously on unders and Walsh's contract increases to $1.2M per year in the next few years.
STORM
Munster - $1.1M
Pap - $910k
Hughes - $850k
Grant - $850k
SPINE TOTAL = $3.7M
(Nelson $850k, Stefano $600, Howarth $500k)
Top 7 players = $5.66M. average of $800k per player.
PANTHERS
Cleary - $1.2M
Edwards - $850k
Talangi - $500k?
Kenny - $600k
SPINE TOTAL = $3.1M
(but remember they have Yeo $850, Martin $750k, Tago $750k, To’o $625)
Top 7 players = $5.6M. average of $800k per player.
TIGERS
Luai - $1.2M
Api - $700k
Bula - $700k
Latu - $500k
SPINE TOTAL = $3.1M
(our next highest payer is May on $700k, then May $600 and S Fainu on $500)
Top 7 players = $4.9M, average of $700k per player.
Even if we were to get another $1M player, that would bring our top 7 to $5.4M, average of $770k per player. Still less than the other 3 teams above.
This all gels with what I heard mid-year, which was Richo was gearing up to make a big bid for a big star north of the border. My gut was it was either Haas or Tino (as it involved waiting for coaches to commit or leave) and now both of those stories have hit the presses. Doesn't mean we get either but this has been in the making for a while now.