The Storm are set to double the salary of rookie fullback Sualauvi Faalogo following his sizzling Test debut on Saturday night.
Samoa star Faalogo was close to the best player on the field, despite Australia running out comfortable 38-12 victors in the Pacific Championships opener.
The 20-year-old has played just one NRL game – when he scored a double against the Broncos in Round 27 – but he didn’t look remotely out of place against the world champions.
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Faalogo is currently on a development list contract and earned $60,000 this year, but that’s set to at least double in 2024.
Storm general manager Frank Ponissi told foxsports.com.au the wheels are in motion to upgrade Faalogo to their top 30, which means he’ll earn at least the NRL minimum wage of $120,000 next season.
Ponissi also confirmed Faalogo is locked down thanks to a 2025 option in the club’s favour.
“We plan for him to be in our top 30 (next year). He is a star, but an even better young man,” Ponissi said.
If it’d been a mutual option then Faalogo would have hit the open market on November 1 and likely started an all-out bidding war.
Similar to when a soccer player announces himself to the world with an incredible performance at a major tournament, Faalogo made the NRL stand up and take notice.
It means Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has a real predicament on his hands after the young gun exploded on the world stage.
NRL champion Corey Parker addressed the elephant making its way towards the Storm’s dressing room in 2024.
He asked how Bellamy finds a spot for Faalogo next season at a club already stacked with talent in the outside backs.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Xavier Coates, Will Warbrick, Nick Meaney, Reimis Smith, Dean Ieremia and Kane Bradley are already on the books.
Faalogo made his NRL debut off the bench in the final round of the season and scored just moments after coming onto the field in the 34th minute.
The speedster scored again in the second half to secure the win and off the bench he finished with 109 metres from 10 carries, seven tackle busts and two linebreaks.
Papenhuyzen started that night before a horror ankle injury ended his season, but Melbourne’s fullback – who is signed until 2025 – is expected to recover in time for Round 1 next year.
“Let’s just put this into perspective, he’s played one NRL game against a depleted Broncos side at Suncorp Stadium, he came off the bench and absolutely changed the game and lit the stadium up,” Parker said.
“He’s now gone on to the big stage against the greatest players that Australia can pick and he’s absolutely held his own.
“This guy here has certainly announced himself, the question is where does he play for Melbourne? He’s an unbelievable talent and we’ve seen what he can do but he’s behind so many good players.”
Faalogo makes an impact on the big stage | 01:35
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Against the Kangaroos, Faalogo started at fullback and finished with 163 metres from 14 carries that produced 11 tackle busts and offload and a linebreak.
“He’s obviously a kid who is just a natural footy player, high instincts and speed as well so yeah he created a bit of havoc for us,” Australia’s captain James Tedesco said.
“He was just playing with a lot of confidence… every time he had his hands on the ball he looked very dangerous, it was awesome to see.”
Footy IQ, flair, confidence are the rare intangibles that can’t be measured and coaches love the select few players lucky enough to have them.
Samoa coach and Panthers assistant Ben Gardiner said he wasn’t surprised by Faalogo’s dream Test debut.
“He just backs himself,” Gardiner said.
“We spoke about backing yourself all week, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve played a Test match, an NRL game, or 200 NRL games, everyone here is equal, and when you go about your business, do your best, and you’re representing your country, so put your best foot forward.
“That’s him, that’s his style – I didn’t really expect too much else from him tonight to be honest.”
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