Benji’s $800k play at star centre; Broncos set to extend Mam: Transfer Whispers

The Tigers are set to blow the Knights out of the water with an offer to make Bradman Best one of the highest played centres in the NRL.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Bradman Best of the Knights is pictured and Newcastle Knights at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on September 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

The Tigers are set to make an $800,000 play at Knights star Bradman Best for 2025 and beyond.

Best is coming off a career season in 2023, which including an outstanding Origin debut for the Blues in their Game III win over the Maroons.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the Tigers will offer Best a contract which will make him one of the highest paid centres in the league.

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The Knights are reportedly confident they’ll retain Best with a contract worth more than $700,000 a season but if the 22-year-old isn’t re-signed by the November 1 deadline, he’ll likely command slightly more from other clubs.

Bradman Best of the Knights. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

In addition to Best, the Tigers have also got their eye on Dragons back Moses Suli.

Suli had an up-and-down season for the struggling Dragons in 2023 but would be a decent pick-up for a team like the Tigers.

Suli started his career at the Tigers in 2017, spending a year there before moving onto the Sea Eagles where he spent four seasons.

Broncos set to retain grand final hero

He almost took the Broncos to their first premiership since 2006 with a standout grand final performance, sparking fears Brisbane could be in for a bidding way to extend Ezra Mam.

But the Dally M Five-eighth of the Year is set to stay put at Red Hill in a huge boost for the Broncos, with The Courier Mail reporting Mam’s management has been offered a new contract.

The report claims Mam, who is currently contracted until the end of next season, is tipped to sign a long-term deal between three and five years.

Mam was on about $250,000 this season but is set to see a big pay rise to reward him for his stunning 2023 campaign, with The Courier Mail reporting the extension could be worth up to $3 million.

Ezra Mam scores during the 2023 NRL Grand Final. Pics Adam Head

That figure comes from the possibility of a four-year deal for Mam, which would start at an estimated $750,000 a season.

Mam told The Courier Mail his “aim” is to “stay” at the Broncos.

“I want to start another generation here,” he said.

“It would definitely be a great opportunity to jump on the bandwagon here with the other boys and make the Broncos great again.

“Seeing Payne re-sign and all the other boys stay here, it’s a huge factor for myself.

“Hopefully we can get that deal done soon. I’ll be here for a long time.”

Originally published as Benji’s $800k play at star centre; Broncos set to extend Mam: Transfer Whispers