Manly breaks bank to make gun forward $8-million-dollar-man
Manly has created the NRL’s next $8 million-dollar-man with the Sea Eagles reportedly set to announce massive news.
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Manly has broken the bank to thwart rival clubs from swooping on star forward Haumole Olakau’atu.
The edge forward emerged as one of the most improved players in 2023 and his form made him the Sea Eagles’ top retention target this off-season.
Channel 9 journalist Danny Weidler reports the 25-year-old has signed a blockbuster new deal which will see him remain in Brookvale until the end of 2031.
The eight-year extension is reportedly worth a mammoth $8 million.
It represents a staggering increase from the six-year, $5 million offer that was first reported when negotiations began between the player and club earlier this year.
As recent as last month, reports emerged Manly had offered an eight-year deal worth $7 million — but it seems the player’s management have squeezed the club to cough up even more to retain his services.
Olakau’atu was already signed with the Sea Eagles through to the end of 2025 — but the club has acted decisively to upgrade the previous contract he had signed before his breakout performances.
Olakau’atu was reportedly on the verge of being selected by former NSW coach Brad Fittler during the 2023 series and he will likely be pressing for selection again in 2024.
Olakau’atu now joins Josh Schuster as some of the highest-paid backrowers in the competition, with Luke Brooks now taking over in the No. 6 jersey.
Manly’s spending spree, having also pinched Brooks from the Tigers, has led to questions about how healthy the club’s salary cap looks.
Schuster re-signed earlier this year on a deal worth $800,000 a season.
Gorden Tallis in September questioned how Manly could afford to pay so many players around the $1 million pay bracket.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said at the time struggling clubs with salary cap space have been driving up the value of star players on the open market.
The veteran journalist said Manly was going to have to pay a hefty price to keep Olakau’atu while other clubs had cash to splash.
Originally published as Manly breaks bank to make gun forward $8-million-dollar-man
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