Stephen Crichton set to become highest-paid centre in NRL — here’s who he beat to the title
Stephen Crichton is set to become the highest-earning centre in the NRL, overtaking some seriously big names. See full list.
NRL
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The NRL’s next millionaire could be made this week with the Penrith Panthers set to table a deal that will make Stephen Crichton rugby league’s richest centre.
Crichton will be offered a $10,000-a-game upgrade to his existing contract as part of a new deal that is expected to be worth $2.25 million over three years.
Hoping to end the contract saga that began with a revelation that “the next big thing” reneged on a $500,000 handshake deal, the Panthers confirmed that a revised contract had been finalised and would be put to Crichton as early as this week.
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“It has been a bit of a process since the grand final but we are almost there,” Penrith coach Ivan Cleary (inset) said.
“It (managing the roster) has been a challenge for us after a successful year that came as a bit of a surprise, but we are confident that he won’t be going anywhere.”
It is understood the $2.25 million will include a $250,000 upgrade to his current contract which is set to expire at the end of this year.
The $750,000-a-year deal will leapfrog Crichton over Roosters powerhouse Joey Manu ($700,000) as the NRL’s highest-paid full-time centre in a stunning achievement for a 20-year-old who has played just 26 NRL games.
The Panthers are confident the new deal will be enough to fend off interest from a long line of rival clubs, led by the cashed-up Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
NRL’S HIGHEST PAID CENTRES (full NRL Rich 100 here)
1 Stephen Crichton $750,000 (deal not yet confirmed)
2 Joey Manu $700,000
3 Joey Leilua $700,000
4 Dane Gagai $650,000
5 Jarrod Croker $600,000
6 Waqa Blake $550,000
7 Michael Jennings $500,000 (provisionally suspended)
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