An NRL document has revealed the average salary of a top-five centre in the NRL was $615,000 in 2022, strengthening South Sydney’s case to have Jack Wighton’s contract rubber-stamped by head office.
The Rabbitohs lodged Wighton’s contract to the NRL last Wednesday and are awaiting final approval on the four-year deal worth an average $800,000 per season.
Jack Wighton celebrates with teammates scoring a try against the Dolphins in Wagga Wagga on Saturday.Credit: Getty
The Raiders are privately fuming that the Rabbitohs have secured a deal with the Bunnies on about $250,000 per season less than what they offered to keep him in the nation’s capital, and believe he should go into South Sydney’s cap at close to $1 million.
However, the NRL’s 2022 salary cap benchmarking document, sent to all clubs and obtained by this masthead, shows the average salary of a top-five centre last year was $614,680. The median salary (third highest-paid) of the top five paid centres last year was $606,300.
Even accounting for the 22 per cent salary cap increase in 2023, the average salary of a top-five centre this year would be around $750,000.
That’s close to what the Rabbitohs paid to secure Wighton’s signature to play in the centres next year.
“The process is a club submits a contract to the salary cap auditor,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo told this masthead.
“The salary cap auditor then reviews the contract as standard practice. Part of that review is looking at the value placed on the player. He will take into account a number of considerations – the position, the age, the tenure – then do a reasonability check. Based on that, he will deem the value in the cap based on that contract and that reasonability check. As long as it’s in those parameters, then there won’t be an adjustment.”
According to rugby league sources with knowledge of contract value, it’s believed the top-five-paid centres in 2022 were Joseph Manu, Kotoni Staggs, Waqa Blake, Stephen Crichton and Zac Lomax.
Valentine Holmes, who is on a deal worth about $1 million a season, wasn’t included as a centre but as a fullback last year.
While Canberra offered Wighton five-eighth money, the document shows a $330,000 shortfall in the average salary between the NRL’s top five No.6’s compared to the top five halfbacks in the competition.
The average salary of a top-five No.6 in 2022 was $764,000, increasing to $932,000 in 2023 based on a 22 per cent salary cap rise. The Raiders’ offer was believed to be $1.05 million plus a car.
Both Wighton and Stuart were reduced to tears after the Raiders’ 31-30 win over the Dolphins on Saturday due to the emotion around the 30-year-old’s decision.
Former Canberra captain turned Parramatta hooker Josh Hodgson spoke about Wighton’s forthcoming defection after Friday night’s win over Newcastle.
“There’s a lot of talk around contracts and whatnot and everyone has their one opinion, but it’s difficult,” Hodgson said.
“You don’t want anyone to leave your club, especially when you’ve been as long at a club like Canberra. I love Canberra as well, so it’s a really hard situation. But for Jack and his family, it’s only a short career and you’ve got to do what’s best individually as well as your family as well as trying to do it the right way.
Josh Hodgson during his time at the Raiders.Credit: Getty
“He’s been at the club a long time and he’s given everything he could to the club. That’s why we have player options and club options.
“There’s no secret they’re in extensions, and if you don’t want to run the risk don’t put them in contracts. I feel for Canberra. I’m close with Rick, I’m close with Donny and all the boys down there. I always will be. I love Canberra and I really feel for them.
“Looking at it contract wise as a player, if I was in that situation you’ve got to do what’s best for you and your family. I haven’t heard the criticism he’s copped, but I can’t think of any I’d be giving him.
“He’s an unbelievable bloke and an unbelievable player. He’s going to do what’s best by him and his family, and I’m sure anyone else in whatever industry would do the same thing.”
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
