Brisbane could be about to break the bank on some of their biggest stars, with key spine duo Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam in line for huge contract upgrades.
Speaking on NRL360, Courier-Mail journalist Peter Badel explained how, once the finals were over, the Broncos would set about locking down their stars long-term.
“They are looking to extend them on what I hear is a potential $5 million package deal, at least three years for each of those players,” he said.
“Reece Walsh would become a $1 million player potentially…and Ezra Mam could earn upwards of $700,000 a season.
“I’m told those deals will be done after the finals but I don’t think they will go on the open market.”
It is unlikely that the retention would stop there. Adam Reynolds has shown no signs of slowing down, but is entering the last year of his deal, while younger stars such as Jordan Riki, Billy Walters and Brendan Piakura are also in line for extensions.
In 2025, they could lose Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs and Kobe Hetherington, all of whom they would want to keep around to ensure their Premiership window remains open.
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis will continue as chairman after being unanimously re-elected by the club’s board.
He will stay on until 2026, despite the club recording two consecutive wooden spoons under his tenure.
Hagipantelis, who is the principal at Bryden’s Lawyers, the main sponsor of the Tigers, said that he thought the club was on the up after their recent struggles.
“I am humbled by the appointment,” he said.
“It’s confirmation that as a club we believe that we are heading in the right direction and I look forward to leading it over the next three years.
“It has been a difficult period in the club’s history and I am honoured to be endorsed by the board and our stakeholders as its steward moving forward.”
The Rugby League Player’s Association has announced its Dream Team for 2023, with the Broncos, Panthers and Warriors dominating the list.
The team, which is decided by a player’s vote, rewards the best on a position-by-position basis.
Brisbane have the most representative with four, followed by Penrith and the Warriors with three each and Melbourne with two and Manly with one.
Only Cameron Munster retains his spot from 2022, while Shaun Johnson makes his first appearance at the age of 33. Herbie Farnworth becomes the first English player to make the list since John Bateman in 2019.
The full team is:
Fullback: Reece Walsh
Wingers: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak & Brian To’o
Centres: Herbie Farnworth & Stephen Crichton
Five-Eighth: Cameron Munster
Halfback: Shaun Johnson
Props: Payne Haas & Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker: Harry Grant
Second Rowers: Haumole Olakau’atu & Liam Martin
Lock: Patrick Carrigan
Jason Taumalolo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard are set to clash in the boxing ring, with a meeting between two of the NRL’s standout big men announced as one of the post-season rash of footy fights set for an event in Townsville.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona will meet Jarrod Wallace in another battle of the heavyweight forwards.
Scheduled for the week after the Grand Final, Taumalolo and RCG will top a bill that also includes Junior Paulo and Tevita Pangai jnr, though neither has their opponent announced yet.
Speaking to the Townsville Bulletin, Taumalolo said: “I’m a bit nervous, but I’ll be ready to rumble.
“I don’t know if I’ll deliver a knockout, I might get knocked out myself, but I’ve been doing the training and I want to respect the sport by putting in the hard work.
“My interest started a few years back. I watched the big guys like Josh Papalii and Junior fighting in Townsville and this being my home for the past decade, it’s a great place to start my fighting experience.
“The Cowboys are my first priority and I’m totally committed to them, so hopefully we can make the grand final and straight after that, I’ll be taking to the ring.
“It’s the first time to ‘take the walk’ so I’m looking forward to it.”
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