The Broncos are sure to face a salary cap squeeze in the coming weeks on the back of reports Brisbane are set to offer Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam a $5 million package deal to remain at Red Hill.
The Courier Mail’s Peter Badel broke the news of Brisbane’s expected offer to Walsh and Mam on Wednesday night.
However veteran journalist Phil Rothfield said that “something has to give” regarding the Broncos’ cap, pointing to the big money contracts given to star prop Payne Haas and the anticipated extension of halfback Adam Reynolds.
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“Ezra Mam is on $240,000 this year, he’s going up to $750,000 so there’s an extra 500,000,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.
“Reece Walsh is on $450,000 this year, you were suggesting $1.3 million last night.. well there is another $800,000-$900,000 there.
“Bomber (Badel) didn’t consider the ramifications of such substantial upgrades for those two players.
“Originally the Broncos signed Adam Reynolds until the end of next year, but guess what his manager is talking about an extension. Where will that money come from with these big upgrades?”
“Will they be happy to take a little less to stay there?” NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta asked.
“Well are Knights players prepared to take less for (Kalyn) Ponga?” Rothfield replied, referencing the Newcastle’s star reported $1.4 million a year contract.
Fox League’s James Hooper said the good clubs like the Panthers and Broncos are having so much success because players there are willing to take less, noting Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards’ recent contract extension worth $850,000 a season.
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“Dylan Edwards is a perfect example. He took less to stay,” Hooper said.
“If I’m Reece Walsh, he’s on $450,000, yeah he could probably get $1.3 million on the open market, but if the Broncos go close to winning a comp or win a comp this year, are you prepared to take a little bit less to have that legacy when you finish and you are still going to be extremely well played.
“I think players are coming around to that way of thinking.”
Rival clubs are sure to circle certain Broncos players and either pay overs or more than Brisbane are willing to pay them.
The Broncos have already felt the salary cap pinch with gun centre Herbie Farnworth and rep forward Tom Flegler moving onto the Dolphins from next season.
Rothfield said teams like the Bulldogs, Raiders, Tigers and Dragons as clubs who are “desperate for quality footballers”.
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“Outside of Adam Reynolds, Jordan Riki is off next year, Brendan Piakura is off next year and they are going to get much more (from other clubs). It’s a squeeze,” Rothfield said.
“What I’m saying with Reece Walsh’s $1 million, (Haas’s) S1 million, Ezra Mam’s $800,000, Kotoni Staggs as well. It’s got to give somewhere.
“Look I’m really glad for them, but as Penrith have shown, great footy sides gradually disintegrate from cap pressure when there is outside interest.”
“They are going to lose a few players no doubt, but they have to priortise Walsh and Ezra Mam, they have to and if they win the comp this year they are going to be worth a hell of a lot more,” Anasta added.
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