Paul McGregor’s decision to start Ben Hunt at hooker for this week’s clash against the Manly Sea Eagles marks a new high in salary cap history.
With a salary of $1.2 million per season, Ben Hunt is now the highest paid starting hooker in rugby league history.
Ben Hunt (right) is now the highest paid hooker in the history of the NRL. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The previous high was Damien Cook, with his current four-year, $4.5 million deal with Souths, which gives him $1.125 million per season.
With no surprise, accurate salary figures are hard to obtain from the Melbourne Storm.
But from what I can verify, Cameron Smith is said to be on $1 million a year.
It’s quite possible Smith earned far more than this during Melbourne’s period when they were caught cheating the salary cap but this can’t be verified.
To put this in to context, Api Koroisau is said to be on a three-year, $1.5 million deal at Penrith ($500,000 per season) and he’s absolutely killing it at the foot of the mountains.
The brains trust at the Dragons would have you believe that Hunt is a Queensland Origin rep and this justifies paying a player $1.2 million to play hooker.
But I don’t recall Hunt challenging Cameron Smith for the hooking role in the Queensland Origin team prior to Smith’s retirement.
Based on the current market, Hunt is worth around the $500,000 to $600,000 mark… not that the Dragons needed another option at hooker with Cameron McInnes and Billy Brittain at the club.
For those who continue to defend the signing of Ben Hunt and the decision to play him at dummy half, I ask you to look at the facts and think again.
Mixfijoe
Roar Rookie
Haha ben hunt is not on 1.2 mill
Growler
Roar Rookie
I sorry, but even if Hunt was on $1.2m a season which I don’t believe he is, at best he is getting ‘paid’, 80% of that as a salary this year due to RLPA agreement changes. That puts him under $1m and possibly as low as 800k if the original figure was 1m per season. I wish I could freely mix past data with a current circumstance and make it fly...
peeeko
Roar Guru
you have your sources? know players and their managers?
Soda
Roar Rookie
Yes, mcinnes is better than merrin from what's been displayed this year
TP.777
Roar Rookie
It's not Benny's fault he's overpaid,that's the dragons fault. If someone came up to you with a million dollars in a suitcase and offers it too you are you going to refuse it,i doubt it!! He played his best game against the raiders he was instrumental at hooker, the team is headed in the right direction now. Would be great if Norman plays more a hand, im yet too see any real assets he brings to the saints. I know he can bring alot more.
Paul
Roar Guru
I've no idea what the point of this piece is. Spite? "The brains trust at the Dragons would have you believe that Hunt is a Queensland Origin rep and this justifies paying a player $1.2 million to play hooker." The decision makers at the Dragons KNOW he is a SOO player. He only played all three games for the Maroons in last years series. I also fail to see what this has to do with the comment that this justifies paying him $1.2 million to play hooker? The Dragons signed this guy to play for the Club - end of story. Hunt does not choose where he plays, his coach does, based on what he thinks is best for the team. How much he is paid has exactly zero bearing on what position he plays. The comparison with other Clubs and positions is IMO fatuous. If Hunt plays at hooker and helps his team win games, I'd have thought the Dragons would consider his salary, money well spent. He has come off the bench in recent games. I assume you're going to claim he's the highest payed reserve in the game too? Or Cam Smith is the highest paid 5/8 because that's where he started last game?
jamesb
Roar Guru
Is Hunt a better dummy half than McInnes? We will soon find out. Is McInnes a better lock than Merrin? Merrin is past his used by date.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Is Hunt a better dummy half than McInnes? Is McInnes a better lock than Merrin? It’s all smoke & mirrors
Andrew
Roar Pro
Thanks for your comments. I do my absolute best to verify everything before I publish an article. I have my sources. I’m 100% certain that $1.2M is the highest on the books salary paid to starting hooker.
Soda
Roar Rookie
Doesn't mean tigers won't try to sway him in some way
Andrew
Roar Pro
Harry Grant has another 3 years to run on his Melbourne deal. He’s not going anywhere. He’s only on loan because there’s no reserve grade this year.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Oh yeah, you are right. I was starting to give too much credit to Mary :laughing:
Soda
Roar Rookie
When you say Mary, you mean the selection committee right? :laughing:
jamesb
Roar Guru
The other thing with McInnes at lock, is Mary can carry four forwards on the bench rather than wasting one spot to an outside back. If an injury occurs to an outside back, Hunt goes back to 7, McInnes at 9, Norman moves to fullback. Or if an injury occurs in the halves, Hunt to 7, McInnes back at hooker.
Soda
Roar Rookie
Mcinnes is playing great at lock.
jamesb
Roar Guru
You are concentrating more on Hunt's salary, rather than what would be his best position. Players that are in the spine should command top dollar provided they prove their worth. If Hunt proves his worth at hooker, then it's a genius move from Mary. Although someone did say that Mary didn't get the best out of Hunt at halfback which is a valid point. And with the new rules in place, McInnes at lock isn't a bad idea, especially with more footy been played and fatigue coming in earlier. Let's see how Hunt goes at hooker on a more permanent basis. It might be a success.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Yep, you look at the last few years like Friend, Smith and Ennis.
Tony
Roar Guru
Obviously, Hunt's manager had far more clue than the recruitment staff at the Dragons. Good luck to him.
Adam
Roar Guru
Agreed, Wayne had that exact roster in 2018 and was a hair away from being top 4.
Adam
Roar Guru
Look at the best sides over the last few years and think of their hooker. They would be number 1 pick in many teams