NRL 2020: Penrith paying wages of high-profile players at other clubs in amazing salary cap sacrifice

It has been a remarkable year for the Panthers as they power towards a drought-breaking premiership, and it can be revealed just how far they had to go in the salary cap to become the NRL’s dominant force.

The Panthers had to use salary cap space for three players aren’t with them any more.

The Penrith Panthers have remarkably secured the NRL minor premiership despite spending $600,000 less than most of their rivals in the salary cap – the equivalent of one great player.

News Corp can reveal the Panthers are paying for James Maloney ($200k) in the UK Super League and Waqa Blake ($200k) and Reagan Campbell-Gillard at the Parramatta Eels ($300k).

All three, originally signed by Phil Gould, were released to allow Ivan Cleary to put his own stamp on the roster and assemble the most exciting young NRL team in years.

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The Panthers had to use salary cap space for three players aren’t with them any more.

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However in an extraordinary bonus, it can be revealed the Manly Sea Eagles are contributing $100k to the $500k contract of hooker Api Koroisau, the NRL’s buy of the year.

It is an embarrassing recruitment blunder for Manly, even more so with the revelation they are paying 20 per cent of his contract at the Panthers.

Still, the salary cap pressure is only going to get tougher for Penrith.

Because Gould put Blake and Campbell-Gillard on long-term contracts, Penrith will be paying a good portion of their salaries for another two years at the Eels.

Penrith chief executive Brian Fletcher set up a retention committee when Gould left to help give Cleary the roster he wanted.

Manly are doing the Panthers a big favour by paying part of Api Koroisau’s wage.

“We had players on big money on long-term contracts,” Fletcher said.

“The retention committee spoke about it and decided to take a bit of short-term pain.

“You don’t want to pay players at other clubs but it happens quite a bit.

“It’s helped that we had a youngish roster this year.”

At the same time the club is facing huge challenges keeping this magnificent roster intact as rival clubs are about to launch raids on their best young players.

Eels star Regan Campbell-Gillard is being paid by the Panthers.

As of November, outstanding young five-eighth Matt Burton and the Forbes flyer Charlie Staines are free to talk to rival teams.

The likes of Canterbury, St George-Illawarra and the Wests Tigers are set to have a crack at Burton.

Staines is now on only a $65k development contract and could get up towards $400k per season with a rival franchise.

Jarome Luai and boom centre Stephen Crichton are also off contract at the end of next season but are certain to stay.

Tough centre Brent Naden and winger Josh Mansour can also speak to rivals from November.

Waqa Blake is picking up his cheque from the Panthers salary cap.

Losing experienced front-rower James Tamou to the Wests Tigers at least frees up money for the younger brigade.

“We know we’re not going to be able to keep them all,” Fletcher said.

“We’re not going to panic. They’re all signed until the end of 21 anyway.”