NRL news: Parramatta Eels prop Junior Paulo eyeing bumper payday as rival clubs circle
Parramatta has a huge fight on its hands to retain powerhouse prop Junior Paulo as the NSW enforcer opens the door for a shock move.
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Parramatta has a huge fight on its hands to retain powerhouse prop Junior Paulo amid revelations the NSW enforcer is the latest star open to a move to Queensland to play under Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins in 2023.
Paulo’s agent Sam Ayoub revealed several clubs had expressed interest in signing the front-rower ahead of the trade window opening on November 1.
It will send further shockwaves through the Eels, who have a stack of players up for grabs from Monday.
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This includes Paulo’s front-row partner Reagan Campbell-Gillard who recently informed the club that he would not be taking up a player option and was also open to play under Bennett.
Ayoub was reluctant to talk specifics when contacted but did concede Paulo was proving popular.
“I’ve certainly fielded a fair bit of genuinely good interest,” Ayoub said. “We are not in any hurry but obviously Junior’s prospects just keep growing.”
Asked directly if the 27-year-old was interested in a move to Queensland to link with Bennett, Ayoub said: “He is open to going anywhere. Junior is open-minded.”
Just what Paulo ends up being worth on the open market could also be a concern to the Eels.
Paulo is now among the game’s elite big men but his salary does not reflect that. And it raises a legitimate argument as to whether the best big men in the game are underpaid.
The experts always say the big games are won on the back of the forwards.
But going by the reported salaries of the game’s highest-paid players, the wages of the forwards are being dwarfed by the star playmakers.
This is despite the changing speed of the game proving that front-rowers like Paulo, with mobility who can play big minutes, are rare commodities.
Overall, Paulo came in 71 on this year’s NRL Rich 100 on $610,000, which only ranks 22nd among the highest-paid props.
It’s worth noting Payne Haas actually came in below Paulo at 86 on the Rich 100 list on $517,000, while James Fisher-Harris didn’t even make the top-100 cut (but did recently sign a huge upgrade).
Paulo’s pay is thought to be going up to about $700,000 next year. But that will still leave him behind a stack of fellow props.
On the NRL Rich 100, Andrew Fifita leads the way as the top-paid prop in the game on $850,000, although that only ranks Fifita 22 on the overall list.
Overall, David Fifita was the only forward among the game’s top-10 earners this year on $1.05m. The only other forwards to make the top 20 were Jake Trbojevic (17th on $900,000) and Jason Taumalolo (18th on $893,000). Part-time forward Jack Bird was on $900,000.
Ayoub did not dispute Paulo got a “good deal” when he signed to return to Parramatta from Canberra. But there is also no disputing Paulo has lived up to his side of the bargain, and Ayoub is determined to get him what he is worth.
“Every player is entitled to chase what they are worth when they have given service,” Ayoub said. “He came back to Parramatta on a four-year deal. It was a good deal but it wasn’t overs by any stretch of the imagination. So he is entitled to be seeking what he is worth right now.”
NRL SPRING CLEAN: WHO COULD BE ON THE MOVE?
By Paul Crawley
A number of high-profile players are lining up to switch clubs in the coming weeks as a massive NRL spring clean-gets under way.
It’s sure to make for a frenzy of activity in the countdown to next Monday, November 1, when the player trading season kicks off.
Heading the list are unsettled stars Luke Brooks, Mitchell Pearce and Josh Hodgson, who are all said to be eager to move on immediately, while others are being shopped around presumably without their knowledge.
One club is adamant Parramatta’s Ryan Matterson has been talked about as being excess baggage at the Eels, while the same is being said of Canterbury’s Corey Allan and Kyle Flanagan.
However, all three might be a hard sell given they are all on good money and not exactly coming off the best of seasons.
Matterson is on close to $500,000 and has a worrying concussion history, and two of the clubs with money to spend on their salary cap for next season are the Tigers and Dragons.
Matterson had a fallout with Michael Maguire at the Tigers, while the backrower the Dragons are keen on is Matterson’s teammate Marata Niukore.
Regardless, Parramatta is facing a desperate fight to keep a number of players. Reed Mahoney has already been linked to Brisbane and Canterbury.
What makes Mahoney’s situation particularly interesting is that the in-demand dummy half’s agent is Sam Ayoub. He also looks after Clint Gutherson and Junior Paulo, who are off contract at the end of next season.
It is unlikely the Eels will get away with trying to lowball Ayoub on any of the three, like they were accused of doing last time Gutherson’s contract was being negotiated.
So far the two parties have vowed that they don’t want this to get ugly like it did last time, but time will be the judge on that.
The Eels captain is unlikely to want to even consider leaving Brad Arthur, but Gutherson is the type of player who could also be a good fit at Canterbury given the Bulldogs have only signed former Dragon Matt Dufty on a one-year deal.
Meanwhile, it has been reported yet again that Brooks wants out at the Tigers because he doesn’t want to be coached by Maguire.
And while Brooks is being linked to either Newcastle or Canterbury, at the Knights, Pearce is on the verge of asking for a release so he can join French Super League club Catalans.
Hodgson is unlikely to stay at Canberra, and the Tigers are showing interest.
That doesn’t look too promising for contracted rake Jacob Liddle given he is expected to be the odd man out if Hodgson does make the move. The Tigers also have young dummy-half Jake Simpkin signed until the end of 2024.
The other player closing in on a new deal is Adam Elliott, who will be moving to Canberra after being moved on by Canterbury.
This is expected to be just the first wave of player movements before what is going to be one of the most turbulent summers in recent years.
The added competition that will come with the arrival of the Wayne Bennett- coached Dolphins will only inflate the player market.
The Tigers maintain they are not looking to get rid of Brooks despite the impending arrival of Jackson Hastings and Tyrone Peachey, while at this point the Knights maintain they are still in the dark over Pearce’s priorities.
The Knights have maintained throughout mounting speculation that they don’t want to lose Pearce, who signed a cut-price deal for next season on about $550,000 (compared to the $900,000-plus he was previously on).
The problem with signing Brooks is that he is on a reported $850,000 at the Tigers and that deal does not expire until the end of 2023.
The Bulldogs will have their own salary cap issues if they chase Brooks given they have Flanagan and Jake Averillo signed until the end of 2023, and Brandon Wakeham for another season. All three are battling to be new recruit Matt Burton’s halves partner next season.
ROSTER RIDDLE: HOLES EVERY TEAM NEEDS TO FILL
By Nick Campton and Matt Encarnacion
Both of this year’s NRL grand finalists will have to act quickly this summer if they are to overcome key losses to their successful rosters and remain title contenders next season.
With the league’s unofficial free agent deadline a little over a week away, Penrith are already faced with having to defend their crown without three of their premiership heroes.
The sudden departure of Paul Momirovski means the reigning premiers will have to field an entirely new three-quarter line, on top of replacing State of Origin star Kurt Capewell.
Grand finalists South Sydney have lost four from their 17 from the decider, including captain Adam Reynolds and Queensland pair Dane Gagai and Jaydn Su’a.
In fact, four of this year’s top five teams have question marks over next year’s squads.
Melbourne will have to replace forward cornerstone Dale Finucane, while the Sydney Roosters have lost 1200 games worth of experience, including winger Brett Morris.
How each of the powerhouses address their roster concerns could decide whether they stay ahead of the chasing pack, led by the balanced outfits at Manly and Parramatta.
Elsewhere, a new-look Cronulla, who still have plenty of spots available in their top 30, could threaten for a return to the finals, as do a deeper St George Illawarra squad.
Then there’s the anticipation and expectation of improvement from cellar-dwellers Brisbane and Canterbury, the latter of whom may not be done yet with their summer acquisitions.
STORM – Who’s the new Dale Finucane?
Craig Bellamy has replaced generational talents before. And he’ll need to weave his magic again to find a new lock following Dale Finucane’s exit. The Storm are just about done roster-wise too, meaning Brandon Smith starts in the No. 13, or one of Josh King, Chris Lewis, Tui Kamikamica or Tom Eisenhuth steps up.
PANTHERS – Three-quarter crisis
The sudden departure of Paul Momirovski, on top of Matt Burton’s exit, means Penrith will have to field an entirely new three-quarter line next season. Stephen Crichton is a certainty to move back to his favoured position, however Ivan Cleary will be forced to pick from the May brothers, Tyrone or Taylan, youngster Izack Tago, or look externally for the other centre spot.
RABBITOHS – Centre stage talent
Not only did State of Origin star Dane Gagai exit Redfern, but so did back-up centres Braidon Burns, Tautau Moga and Steven Marsters. That leaves the inexperienced Taane Milne as the frontrunner to partner Campbell Graham in the three-quarter line. With 10 players departing and only Anthony Milford arriving, a cheap, veteran centre could be handy.
SEA EAGLES – Big-game execution
Manly’s front office can take plenty of credit for owning arguably the deepest and well-balanced top-30 squad in the league. From fullback to lock, every position is covered. The final ingredient is delivering in the big games, and proving that they don’t need to rely on the superstardom of one Tom Trbojevic.
ROOSTERS – Finding the new wingman
Of the 1200-plus games worth of experience to flew the coup, none will be harder to replace than those of Brett Morris. Unless they re-sign off-contract incumbent, Matt Ikuvalu, either the fragile Billy Smith, young star Joseph Suaalii, or new recruit Paul Momirovski will have to man the right flank, or they can find a new one with their 3-4 empty spots.
EELS – Forward thinking
One of the understated team selection issues for Brad Arthur last year was their plethora of backrowers — and lack of front row options — which ultimately led to the questionable decision of moving Dally M second-rower of the year, Isaiah Papali’i to prop towards the end of the season. With Marata Niukore entering the final year of his contract, tough calls may need to be made.
KNIGHTS – Pearce in Knights side
All eyes are on the status of Mitchell Pearce, who is poised to request a release from the final year of his contract to take up a tempting three-year offer with Catalans in the south of France. His sudden departure will leave a gaping hole, which will be filled by new recruit Adam Clune, utility Kurt Mann, or externally with one of their 4-5 empty roster spots.
TITANS – Finding the hook
Mitch Rein’s departure has given back-up hooker Erin Clark a saloon passage to the No. 9 jumper, with the late-blooming Aaron Booth signed as his new understudy. The Titans had hoped to lure England international Daryl Clark earlier this year, but he re-signed with Warrington. Clark will need a breakout season to be considered the long-term solution.
SHARKS – Positional jigsaw
Does big-money, four-year signing Cameron McInnes play off the bench? If not, and since he’s unlikely to unseat Blayke Brailey, he might have to start in the No. 13. That means career lock Dale Finucane would be forced into the front row. Storm fullback Nicho Hynes has been signed as No. 7, while playmaker Connor Tracey is now considered a centre. Plenty of headaches for new coach Craig Fitzgibbon, who also has up to seven spots left to fill.
RAIDERS – The Hodgson conundrum
Is Josh Hodgson staying or going? After seemingly being on the market for over a year, Hodgson appeared to have found a home at the Wests Tigers, until his heir apparent, Tom Starling, got himself in trouble with the law again. Hodgson’s possible exit, along with that of Siliva Havili, leaves Starling as the only recognised hooker on the Raiders’ books.
DRAGONS – Where will Bird fly free?
The Dragons have quietly assembled one of their deepest squads in years, with their forward pack in particular overflowing with experience. With their roster almost done, the biggest question mark is where the versatile Jack Bird will play. The smart money is at lock, which gives him the most opportunities to cause some damage with his running game.
WARRIORS – Where do they find a centre?
Nathan Brown is putting together a handy spine across the Tasman but is short in the three-quarter line. Players like Adam Pompey and Marcelo Montoya had their moments last year, and Rocco Berry and Viliami Vailea showed promise, but the two spots will be up for grabs over the off-season.
TIGERS – Reach for the stars
Their only buys for 2022 are Super League duo Jackson Hastings and Oliver Gildart and Titans utility Tyrone Peachey They’ll join what has long been a promising squad on paper, but lacking the blue-chip talent that can transform them into finals contenders. With 27 players under contract and plenty of money left in the war chest, the wait continues for a big fish.
BRONCOS – Who plays fullback?
Brisbane need a fullback but there’s no need to hit the market given there’s three contenders to fill the role — Tesi Niu, who impressed in a brief stint there to end the season, Selwyn Cobbo, who is less experienced but extremely talented, and Jamayne Isaako, more seasoned but prone to inconsistency.
COWBOYS – Need more bang for buck
The Cowboys’ roster is top-heavy, with the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Valentine Holmes and Chad Townsend all earning at least $750k a year, meaning the onus is on them to carry the rest of what is an average squad back into finals contention.
BULLDOGS – Can they find a hooker?
Canterbury’s recruitment drive for 2022 has been impressive but they’re still lacking a first-grade quality hooker. The departure of Sione Katoa leaves Jeremy Marshall-King as the frontrunner to a role critical in unlocking a much-improved forward pack, or they could throw the bank at in-demand No.9 Reed Mahoney.
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