Katoa’s $1.5 million ‘gift’ to the Dolphins, as Hammer in three-way race for Maroons No.1 jersey
He had an off night against the Sharks but Isaiya Katoa remains the gift that keeps giving to the Dolphins. Plus, the Titans who forced their way into the Queensland Team of the Week.
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Gifted halfback Isaiya Katoa had a rare average night against the Sharks but his stunning development has virtually handed the Dolphins a $1.5 million gift to build their first premiership team.
As colleague Phil Rothfield pointed out, the Dolphins effort to sign Katoa until the end of 2028 in March last year gave them the bargain buy of the decade with his contract to rise from around $600,000 to a $700,000 during that time.
One experienced player manager said Perth Bears recruiters would have turned green when reading that story.
“If you said to Perth you could sign Katoa right now for $1.2 million a year for 2027 they would sign him, especially since players like Dylan Brown are set to get that money (for Newcastle) and has been benched for Parramatta?’’ the manager said.
“Katoa’s price will go up again when he plays for NSW and when Papua-New Guinea comes into the competition. His salary will double in his next contract.
“By getting Katoa on the cheap the Dolphins will be able to splash more cash on others. That is how you build premiership teams. You need to have some bargain buys and they have the best. By the end of his contract Katoa will have saved the Dolphins between a million and two million in real terms.’’
STILL THE ONE
Queensland’s “Neville Nobodies’’ who won the State of Origin series in 1995 were warmly remembered this year and someone in high places has ensured they will never be forgotten.
Amazingly, the only poster of a rugby league team in the Sporting Hall of Fame at the Melbourne Cricket Ground contains the Neville’s with the likes of Trevor Gillmeister and a stone face Gary Larsen front and centre.
CAM’S SALUTE
Never let it be said Cam Munster doesn’t pay his bills.
During the State of Origin camp last week for the series decider, just before his father died, Munster was having a 30 minute kick with the son of a staff member and challenged him with a series of high balls.
On the last one of the day he said “catch this and I will give you $50’’ and when the youngster pouched it Munster went inside and got the cash.
FROTH AND BUBBLE
The meek and modest effort of NSW in the decider started a discussion of overrated players the Blues have fielded over the years.
Just when you thought Tevita Pangai junior was the biggest standout in recent years along comes Jerome Luai who made a complete meal of things in games two and three.
STILL THE ONE II
Queensland’s stunning State of Origin series has spotlighted some interesting selection challenges for buoyant coach Billy Slater next year.
Does Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow stay at fullback or does Reece Walsh or Kalyn Ponga return?
The Hammer, as is his way, looked as solid as BHP shares under the high ball, and of course, dazzled on occasions with pace so effortless it belied how quickly he was moving.
He likes fullback and will be a hard man to shift.
HANG ON COB
The Dolphins are believed to be furious that their new signing Selwyn Cobbo could not be released mid-season by the Broncos but we can understand why.
Imagine if the two sides met in the finals and Cobbos scored the winning try for the Dolphins.
It’s that old saying about never giving a sucker an even break.
NRL star becomes a laughing stock
The Raiders came away big winners on Saturday afternoon but one star is still looking for a place to hide after he bombed a certain try.
NRL world says same thing about Galvin
Lachlan Galvin was parachuted into the Bulldogs’ starting line up over Toby Sexton, and his performance has left everyone saying the same thing.