NRL Rich 100: Cameron Smith’s $800,000 salary a bargain for Storm

The NRL Rich 100 List threw up plenty of numbers, and created plenty of discussion. Now after a week of debate, the findings are in — and it’s good news for Storm, Roosters and Panthers fans.

He’s 37 years old, has scored just two tries in two years and boasts the body of a banker.

But Cameron Smith should play on.

In a stunning endorsement for his mastery and influence on both his teammates and the opposition, Smith has been voted one of the NRL’s best bargain buys — at $800,000-per-season.

As the Melbourne Storm champion edges closer to making a call on his 19-year career, more than 150,000 fans have had their say on the value and worth of the highest-paid players in the game.

The Daily and Sunday Telegraph’s popular release of the NRL Rich 100 list last week attracted more fans than can fit into a State of Origin match at ANZ Stadium.

In all 151,506 fans voted on the game’s best bargains, suitably-paid and overpaid players with 64 per cent of fans declaring Smith was a cheap investment at $800,000 a season.

Cameron Smith’s salary is a steal for the Storm. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

How much the Storm pay Smith, if he is to play on in 2021, will be crucial to the management of their salary cap given they already have two rising stars and hookers at the club next year in Brandon Smith and Tigers loan dummy-half, Harry Grant.

Not surprisingly, Roosters Clive Churchill medallist and three-time premiership-winner Luke Keary was also rated a bargain buy — according to 70 per cent of fans — for his current contract of $700,000.

Luke Keary. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Api Koroisau. Picture: Brett Costello

It stands to reason why Keary’s position at 51 in the Rich 100 list won’t last long and why the Roosters are on the verge of finalising a three-year contract extension for their playmaker worth just over $900,000 a season until 2024.

The deal will catapult Keary from outside the top-50 to be sitting just outside the top 10 highest-paid players from next year.

Keary’s teammate Victor Radley and Penrith hooker Api Koroisau (both $500,000) were also viewed as bargains by fans.

Interestingly only four per cent of fans were of the opinion that the game’s highest earners deserved their million-dollar contracts.

Test and NSW State of Origin fullback James Tedesco (94 per cent) is worth every cent to the majority of fans, followed by Cowboys enforcer Jason Taumalolo (89 per cent).

A total of 69 per cent of fans said Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary was worth his seven-figure contract, while just over 55 per cent believed Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a million-dollar player.

And given their roster management and woeful 2020 season, the Broncos’ highest-earners were subject to criticism for their output.

A total of 98 per cent of fans voted to declare Anthony Milford ($1 million) and Jack Bird ($975,000) were the luckiest players in the game, alongside Titans halfback Ash Taylor ($1 million).

Originally published as NRL Rich 100: Cameron Smith’s $800,000 salary a bargain for Storm